This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 8/12/2011.
Lenny Wilkins joins the legendary John Wooden as one of only three people in history to be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame twice, once as a player and once as a coach. He was enshrined as a player in 1989 and as a coach in 1998. He began his coaching career in 1969 as a player/coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (1969-72) and Portland Trail Blazers (1974-75) and in 1979, solely as a coach, led Seattle to its only NBA championship in five games. In 1996, he led the USA basketball Dream Team to a gold medal over Yugoslavia in the summer games held in Atlanta. Upon his election to the Hall of Fame as a coach in 1998, Wilkins had participated in more games (3,319) as a player and/or head coach than anyone else in league history. In 1996, he was elected one of the NBA's 50 greatest players and Top Ten Coaches. He was the only individual named to both lists. This is the only known St. Louis Hawks Wilkins jersey and it is extremely desirable. On the back inside tail is the "Rawlings" manufacturers size 42 tag. Adjacent is an additional wash instructions tag. Across the front is "HAWKS." On the front and back is the player number "14." All lettering and numbering is done in red on white tackle twill. Autographed on front in black marker over silver marker with “HOF 89, 98” added and rates a 9. The jersey shows tremendous game-use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. The autograph is accompanied by a LOA from JSA. Accompanied by a Lenny Wilkens LOA.