This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/30/2003.
One of the most talented power forwards ever to play the game, Elvin Hayes used his trademark turnaround jumper and aggressive defense to secure a place alongside the NBA greats. An All-Star for each of his first 12 seasons, he scored more points (27,313) than any other player in NBA history except for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Moses Malone. He still ranks fourth on the league's all-time rebounding list with 16,279 boards. Hayes rode the momentum of his college years at the University of Houston into the NBA.The expansion San Diego Rockets, preparing for their second season, made him the first overall pick of the 1968 NBA draft. As a rookie for the Rockets in 1968-69 he led the league in scoring with 28.4 points per game, ranked fourth in rebounding with 17.1 boards per contest and started at center for the West in the NBA All-Star game. Hayes was immensely popular with fans, who appreciated his dominating style of play as well as his persona off the court. In 1990 he was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame and in 1996, he was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time team. On the inside back tail is the "Rawlings" label which includes the size "44." Adjacent to this is the size tag "XL" and next to this is the wash tag. Across the front of the jersey is the team name "Rockets" and on the back is the letter "E." The player number "11" appears on both the front and back of the jersey. The letters and numbers are made of gold on green tackle twill. The name "Hayes" was taken off the back of the jersey. What we believe was the original "E" was put back on the center of the shirt. This was Hayes' nickname and the NBA was starting to allow nicknames to be worn on the shirts. There are many stains and small holes on both the front and back of the jersey due to sweat and game-use.The jersey shows very good game-use and with the exception of the above-mentioned team change, appears to have no other alterations of any kind.