Wilt's 100-point game ball at GFC auction Sept. 8 A ball used in the game in which Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in Hershey, Pa., in 1962, is on the block at an auction Sept. 8 organized by Grey Flannel Auctions at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Richard Russek, President & CEO, (631) 288-7800, ext. 228
Michael Russek, Director of Operations, ext 230
T.J. Favila, Auction Director, ext. 221
Editors: Photos attached
BIDDERS PUSHING PRICES IN GREY FLANNEL'S
BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, SEPT. 8 AUCTION
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Bidders are already pushing North the price of George Mikan's game-used Minneapolis Lakers jersey from 1947-'48, Bill Russell's
game-used All-Star game jersey from 1959, Bob Cousy's road Celtics warmup and Michael Jordan's game-used Dream Team jersey from 1992.
So much history, so many stellar, hall-of-fame items. Such is the inventory for the Second Annual Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Auction that closes Sept. 8 here at the birthplace and shrine of basketball.
“This auction is exclusively basketball and we are showcasing some of the finest basketball memorabilia in the world, in the best possible setting,” said Richard Russek, president of Grey Flannel Auctions. “Every collector who bids online and and every attendee of a fabulous dinner honoring at least 50 Hall of Famers, will have a rare opportunity to win a unique piece of history.”
Last year's blockbuster inaugural event showcased a Dr. Julius Erving jersey that fetched a record price of more than $140,000. In addition of items already mentioned, the second annual sale features more garb from Hall of Famers: an NBA All-Star game jersey worn in 1978 by Dr. J; a Joe Jo White green Celtics jersey; an NBA 50 greatest players signed lithograph; Magic Johnson's 50 Greatest Players leather jacket worn at the 50th Anniversary All-Star game; Larry Bird's “50 Greatest” jacket; Jordan's 1993 NBA All-Star jersey, with a letter of authenticity from Commissioner David Stern; a Wilt Chamberlain All-Star game jersey; and a pre-game Pittsburgh Rens warmup worn by Connie Hawkins.
It also contains a basketball attributed to Wilt Chamberlain's historic 100-point game on March 2, 1962, at the Hershey Park Arena in Hershey, Pa. This is the ball that a then-14-year-old fan Kerry Ryman swooped in and snatched as many of the 4,124 spectators stormed the court shortly after Chamberlain slammed home the final two points with 46 seconds remaining.
Added to the 208 lots in the sale are college jerseys from the most exciting college draftees of 2007. The sale features a home Texas Longhorns jersey from Kevin Durant; a blue road jersey from the first of two Florida Gators championship seasons worn by Corey Brewer; and Greg Oden's North Lawrence high school jersey from the undefeated 2005-'06 season. Tomorrow's history is definitely in the making.
As for real history, the Grey Flannel auction features an extensive collection of memorabilia from the American Basketball Association, the league that produced the red, white and blue basketball.
Among the ABA-connected items are:
* The New York Nets ABA championship trophy for 1974 and 1976;
* Ron Boone's West All-Star team jersey;
* Louis Dampier's Kentucky Colonels jersey and shorts;
* Rick Barry's 10,000th point trophy, with the actual ABA ball as part
