This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/11/2023.
Dean Smith is both a College Basketball HOFer and Naismith HOFer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential college coaches in history, not to mention coached Michael Jordan in his college days, with them winning an NCAA Championship together. The face of the ring is adorned with Tar Heel blue stone, emblazoned with NC. Surrounding the stone reads “NORTH CAROLINA BASKETBALL 1984” (they won the NCAA Championship in 1982). The right shank reads “SMITH NATIONAL AP1UPI COACH” and the left shank reads “CHAMPIONS ACC 14-0 HOLIDAY FESTIVAL STANFORD INVITATIONAL GREEK INTERNATIONAL 28-3”. Engraved inside the band is “HJ 10K” and “DEAN SMITH”. The ring presents well and is in NM condition. Accompanied by an LOP from our consignor which reads “My dad and Dean Smith went to Topeka High School….Later in life, my dad lived next door to Dean Smith’s parents. When Dean would visit his parents in Topeka, they all spent time together. My dad had been a smoker and he helped Dean with his smoking habit. Out of gratitude, Mr. Smith gave this ring to my dad and it has been in our family’s possession ever since”.