This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2016
Technically they were amateurs. But realistically, the players who left college before the formation of the American Basketball League and American Basketball Association in the 1960s had two three options: The National Basketball League, the Eastern League or AAU basketball. AAU basketball was attractive to many players for two important reasons. First, for those who wished to remain eligible for the Olympics, they were able to maintain their amateur status. Second, for players looking to earn a living, many teams were sponsored by corporations which provided jobs to the players on their teams. Although some never went on to play in the professional leagues, many AAU players were among the top players of the era.
Roger Stokes, a 6' 4" forward out of the University of Colorado, decided to go AAU route and played for the Denver Central Bakers. On the bottom of his 1954 Denver Central Bankers jersey is a Wilson manufacturers tag with adjacent size “44-2’XL” tag. Across the front is the Central Bankers logo in blue tackle twill. The front upper chest has player number “14.” The back has player number 14 in the same lettering. The matching satin shorts feature similar Wilson tagging. Stokes’ number 14 appears on the left bottom. These items show appropriate use and remain original and unaltered. Early AAU jerseys are very scarce, and only the refined basketball collector can truly appreciate them.
Includes LOA from Roger Stokes.