Addendum: Michael Jordan and Abdul-Jabbar (8x10 photo) signatures did not pass PSA/DNA authentication.
For basketball junkies, especially college, this lot encompasses 46 total signatures from some of the most revered leaders of men in the history of the game. The autographs of 16 players and 14 coaches are represented, with 27 of 30 enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame.
The Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden, is represented thrice. Two flats are signed and inscribed with a personal message to the original collector: one is his patented Pyramid of Success pamphlet in 9/10 blue pen, dated "Dec. 1988"; the other is an 8x10 black and white photo with "UCLA (Ret.)" notated in 9/10 black pen. The third item is a 3x5 notecard signed "Thanks for your interest. John Wooden UCLA (Ret.)" by the late UCLA legend in 9/10 blue pen. One of his most devoted Bruins, Bill Walton, has signed a 2x3.5 yellow notecard in blue pen.
A 1986 typed signed letter from Hoosiers legend Bobby Knight on Indiana Athletic Dept. letterhead to the original collector is signed "Bob" in 8/10 blue ballpoint. The fiery coach has also signed an 8x10 photo in 8/10 black marker. His player and pupil while coaching at Army in the late 1960's, Mike Krzyzewski -- now the winningest coach in NCAA history at Duke -- has signed a 3x5 notecard in 9/10 black ink. Staying with the teacher-student theme, Boston Celtics icon Red Auerbach
has signed (with personal inscription) an 8x10 photo smoking a cigar in
7/10 silver paint pen. His favorite Celtics point guard Bob Cousy has
signed an 8x10 in blue pen.
Several Lakers from both the Minneapolis and L.A. eras are
represented. Jerry West has signed an 8x10 (personally inscribed) and a
3x5 notecard, both in blue. Other signed 3x5 notecards include: two Bill
Sharman (both inscribed, one personalized), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Gail
Goodrich (personalized), Jamaal Wilkes (full name plus date and "Silk"),
and Slater Martin. Also included is a vintage 1960's black and white
(looks like original) 8x10 photograph of Rudy LaRusso that he has signed
and personalized.
The late Dean Smith of UNC Tar Heels lore has signed four items: two
5x7 photos (with personal message to original collector) in 8-9/10 black
pen; a 3x5 notecard in 8/10 blue ballpoint; and a typed signed 1966
recruiting letter (8/10 blue ballpoint) on UNC Dept. of Athletics
letterhead to a high school standout named Bart Johnson, who somehow
slipped through his fingers and ended up at BYU. Five of those signed
1966 recruiting letters from then-Cougars head coach Stan Watts are
included for good measure.
Three other deceased Hall of Fame coaches in this autograph collection are Lou Carnesecca of St. Johns (8x10 photo), Rollie Massimino of Villanova (1989 TLS "Rollie"), and Jerry Tarkanian of UNLV (8x10 photo). Lute Olson of Arizona (8x10 photo and 3x5 notecard signed in red), Digger Phelps of Notre Dame (8x10), John Thompson of Georgetown (3x5), Ray Meyer of DePaul (3x5), and Denny Crum of Louisville (8x10) round out the list of famed college coaches. Fellow Hall of Famers Lenny Wilkens (2x3.5), two Dolph Schayes (business card & 3x5), two Bob Petit (4x5 photo & 3x5), two Tom Gola (8x10 & 3x5), Walt Frazier (3x5), Cheryl Miller (3x5), Isiah Thomas (3.5) and Nate Thurmond (8x10) complete this eclectic lot of hoopster signed flats.
Includes letter of provenance from the daughter of a longtime MLB executive whose name will be revealed to the winning bidder. Autographs pre-certified by PSA/DNA.