This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/5/2022
Before Bill Russell cemented his legacy as the greatest winner in NBA history with 11 titles in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, he won back-to-back NCAA crowns (1955 & '56) at the University of San Francisco and captured a gold medal for USA Basketball at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. It is interesting to note that the Olympic competition, which streteched into early December, delayed Russell's rookie year arrival to the Celtics.
Presented here is a full ticket from USA's 114-51 romp over Brazil on November 28, 1956. Well-preserved and looking regal in PSA AUTHENTIC encapsulation, the artistically designed ticket is also signed by Russell with his inscription "1956 Gold" making it an incredibly rare piece of historic memorabilia. As any serious basketball collector know, getting Russell to sign anything is tough. There are a mere three full tickets from this 11/28/1956 game in PSA's population report, and this is one of just two signed by Russell. PSA/DNA has graded the bold black pen signature a Mint 9.