This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2003.
From the time he stepped on the court at Power Memorial High School in his native New York City, to the time he retired as the NBA's all-time leader in nine statistical categories, 7-foot-2 Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) established himself as one of basketball's most talented and recognizable figure. Alcindor first dominated high school basketball with three All-America selections while leading his team to a 95-6 record. He moved on to UCLA where he led the Bruins to an 88-2 three-year record with three consecutive titles and was the National College Player of the Year each year of his career. A clutch player, Alcindor was the only player to earn three NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player awards. After being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, Alcindor took the NBA by storm and easily earned Rookie of the Year honors with 28.8 points per game and 14.5 rebounds per game during the 1969-70 season. The following year, he and Oscar Robertson led the Bucks to their only NBA title. This Alcindor Bucks home knit jersey is from that 1970-71 championship season, when Alcindor won his first MVP and Finals MVP awards as well as his first scoring title with 31.7 points per game. Our consignor believes this to be the only Alcindor Bucks shirt known to exist since he changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar following the 1970-71 season. On the left front tail is the "Sand-Knit" manufacturer's tag with the size "44." The team name "Bucks" appears on the front of the jersey and the player number "33" appears on the front and back of the jersey. All of the letters and numbers are made of green soft tackle twill on a reddish-orange feather stitch backing. The backing was originally red and from game use turned to a reddish-orange. Alcindor has signed the front "Abdul Jabbar" in black Sharpie with a signature that rates an 8, and the autograph comes with a PSA/DNA letter of authenticity. The jersey shows very good game use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. Simply incredible in both appearance and historical significance!