This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/5/2023
Presented here is basketball icon Bill Russell’s “NBA 50 Greatest Players” ring, a significant offering we are privileged to present to the hobby. The late Mr. Russell, who passed away on July 31, 2022, at age 88, is widely considered the greatest winning athlete of all-time, not just in basketball but in the history of professional sports. It would take pages of content to summarize his team and personal accomplishments, not to mention his immense impact off the court with regards to racial equality and social issues. Former NBA forward and poet Tom Meschery, who competed against Mr. Russell throughout the 1960’s, once aptly described #6 as “an eagle with a beard,” capturing the spirit and character of the Boston Celtics legend perfectly.
This superb award jewel made of 14-karat gold has the “NBA 50 Greatest Players” logo on the top face. The right shank displays the name “RUSSELL”, his iconic jersey number “6”, along with the NBA logo and the number “50.” The left shank also has the NBA logo and years “1946” and “1996” to mark the golden jubilee anniversary of the league. Marked on the interior band is “LGB 14K.” The ring comes in size 13 with the slightest hint of wear and weighs 46 grams. Hard to imagine an NBA Top 50 player ring with greater stature than this one! Included is the original presentational box and a signed letter of provenance from Bill Russell.