This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/21/2017.
Philadelphia native and Hall of Famer Tom Gola came to national attention in 1954 as an All-American forward at La Salle University. Before graduating to the NBA in 1955, Gola collected a NCAA Championship in 1954 and is widely considered one of the greatest collegiate basketball players of all time. Gola was a versatile forward who could shoot and score and also rebound and defend at a high level. Given his 6 ft 6 in frame, Gola was a rare talent in the NBA of the 1950s. The Philadelphia Warriors used their territorial pick to select the popular Gola in the first round of the 1955 Draft. His rookie season in 1955-56 brought immediate success, when he helped the Warriors beat the Fort Wayne Pistons claiming their second franchise championship. Offered is an incredibly rare satin warm-up suit worn by Gola sourced directly from his family. On the inside of the right pocket is a strip tag reading “15 46 57” representing the player number, size, and year embroidered in yellow chain stitching. In the rear neck is the Pearson Sporting Goods distributor’s tag. On the bottom of the left sleeve is the player number “15” in red felt. Above on the left sleeve is a blue felt patch reading “NBA 55-56 WORLD CHAMPS” embroidered in red. All of the buttons are intact. Across the back reads “WARRIORS” in red on yellow double felt. Adjacent below is a beautiful large felt team logo patch depicting a warrior with a basketball. In the rear waistband of the pants is a strip tag reading “15 36 57” embroidered in yellow chain stitching. Adjacent below is the Pearson Sporting Goods distributor’s tag. The player number “15” is on the left thigh in red on yellow double felt and there is team piping down the sides. This is the first time we have ever had the pleasure of offering a warm-up jacket with the amazingly rare “NBA 55-56 WORLD CHAMPS” patch on the left sleeve. The construction, workmanship and choice of fabrics is beyond compare. Accompanied by a LOA from the Gola Family stating they have had the items in their possession since Tom’s passing.