This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/7/2012.
James “Jimmy” Jones, a 6-foot-4 guard out of Grambling State, played in every game of his first season in the ABA, averaging over 18.8 points per game in 78 games. Jones was also drafted by the NBA’s Baltimore Bullets in 1967 but was worried that he would not receive much playing-time behind Earl Monroe. The first ever ABA All-Star game was held on January 9, 1968 at Hinkle Field House. It would be the first of six All-Star Games that Jimmy Jones was selected to play in. This size 10-3/4, 10k gold players ring weighs 25 grams and was presented to Jimmy Jones after playing in the 1968 ABA All-Star Game for the Western Conference as a member of the New Orleans Buccaneers. This is the first ABA All-Star ring from the 1968 game that we have ever handled. The top panel reads “ABA ALL STAR GAME” surrounding a red star ruby. The right panel features a banner engraved with the player name “J.JONES” above the casted image of a basketball player engraved with the player number “15”. The left panel features a casted image of the official ABA logo and “1968”. The inside of the ring is engraved “JOSTENS 10K”. The ring is in NRMT condition.