This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/7/2013.
The "50 Greatest Players in National Basketball Association History," also referred to as the "NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team," were chosen in 1996 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the NBA. The announcement of the team was undertaken by Commissioner David Stern in 1996 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City, which occupied the site of the former Commodore Hotel where the original NBA charter was signed in 1946. The players were actually assembled in Cleveland during the 1997 All-Star Game Weekend. This jacket worn by Lucas on the court during that ceremony. Inside the rear collar is the "Jeff Hamilton" manufacturer’s label with the size "XXL" flag tag. Inside the left side of the jacket is a leather patch that reads, "This is a Limited Edition of 50 Jackets designed by Jeff Hamilton commissioned by the National Basketball Association in Honor of the Fifty Greatest Players in the History of the League February 9, 1997 Jeff Hamilton." The jacket has been signed in gold marker by Jeff Hamilton on this patch. On the left breast is the NBA "50th" Anniversary logo in a gold, red, white, and blue leather patch. On the left sleeve is the "JH Design" leather patch. On the right sleeve is the player number "32" in orange on blue leather patches. Across the back of the jacket is "KNICKS" in orange on white leather patches. The jacket shows very light wear, NM overall. Also included is the travel black travel bag with “Jerry Lucas New York Knicks NBA Legends” embroidered in orange and blue stitch, EX overall. The lot is accompanied by a LOA from Jerry Lucas.
This lot will come with a hand signed letter from Jerry Lucas as well as a Naismith Memorabilia Basketball Hall of Fame letter of authenticity.
Lots 1–17 presented in this auction catalog are consigned to us directly from NBA Hall of Famer and Top 50 great Jerry Lucas. Jerry Lucas is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the game. Lucas is one of only three players in history to win championships at every level (high school, college, NBA, Olympics); was named one of the Top Fifty players in NBA history; and named one of the Top 15 All-Time March Madness Players. During his career Lucas was a 7-time All-Pro, was the NBA All-Star Game MVP and is the only forward in league history to pull down 40 rebounds in a game. In 1973, he was a member of the New York Knicks World Championship team. He retired from the game with time remaining on his contract to pursue his passion of education and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. We are honored to present this collection at our 2013 Hall of Fame Induction Auction.