Retired Basketball Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was formerly known as Lew Alcindor. After posting perhaps the most successful college basketball career in history with three consecutive NCAA titles at UCLA under head coach John Wooden from 1967 to ’69 – tournaments in which he was named the Most Outstanding Player all three years – Alcindor went on to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the team’s only NBA title in just his second year in the league (1971). When it came to dominating basketball games, the 7’ 2” center from New York City's Power Memorial High School was the man to have on your team. He averaged a league-leading 31.7 points per game that season. A student of Islam, he would eventually change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the day after the Bucks swept the Baltimore Bullets to win the NBA title on April 30, 1971.
This lot features Alcindor’s actual 1966-67 UCLA Bruins game worn home jersey from his first NCAA championship season. The First team All-American, after sitting out his freshman year under then NCAA rules, dominated as a sophomore varsity starter, leading UCLA to a 30-0 record while averaging 29 points and 15.5 rebounds per game. His white durene jersey includes a straight cut tail and remains in remarkable condition. Sporting the proper Sand Knit manufacturer’s tagging (size 42) on the left front tail, the jersey boasts UCLA’s trademark yellow and blue neck and arm trim and includes “UCLA” and “33” on the front in yellow on blue san serif double tackle twill lettering and numbers. Alcindor’s iconic “33” appears again in similar fashion on the back of the jersey albeit in larger, seven-inch-tall, double tackle twill numbers. The jersey exhibits heavy wear as both the lettering and numbers exhibit serious signs of puckering.
Of interesting note is the fact that during Alcindor’s freshman year (1965-66), the team wore jerseys with “BRUINS” spelled out across the front, but switched to the “UCLA” yellow on blue double tackle twill version in his sophomore year. The two-color lettering was exclusive to the 1966-67 season as the team switched to all-blue lettering the next year. Therefore, this is the one-year style worn exclusively by Alcindor and his teammates during the 1966-67 NCAA championship campaign.
Provenance
The jersey was obtained in 1970 by a UCLA student who served a two year stint with the team, working directly under Coach John Wooden and serving as the Assistant Team Manager. This individual received this jersey directly from the acting equipment manager. Included with this lot is his 1971-1972 UCLA Student Identification Card. After receiving the jersey, he took it home where it was rarely displayed and remained in his possession for more than 25 years. Also included with this lot is a collection of UCLA material gathered by him which includes (3) photos of Alcindor wearing the shirt, 1967 (December 9th) UCLA Program, 1967 (December 23rd) UCLA Official Program, and 1968 (March 22-23) 30th Annual NCAA Basketball Championship Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Program.
Includes LOA from MEARS with perfect A10 grade.