This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Alex Hannum was the first coach in pro basketball to win both an ABA and NBA Championship. He guided the St. Louis Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers to NBA titles in 1958 and 1967, and won the ABA crown with the Oakland Oaks in 1969. He was named Coach of the Year in the NBA (1964) and ABA (1969). Hannum also coached the Wichita Vickers to the AAU National Championship. Known as the "Father of Yugoslavian Basketball," Aleksandar Nikolic coached his National Team to its first medal (Silver) at the 1961 European Championships, and won gold at the 1977 European and 1978 World Championships. As coach for Ignis Varese in the Italian League, Nikolic won three national titles, three European titles, three Italy Cups and two Intercontinental Cups. A great player at Providence College, winning the 1963 NIT, and capturing two NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics, John Thompson's legacy as a coach will be remembered far longer. In 27 seasons at Georgetown, his teams won 596 games, went to the NCAA Final Four in 1982, 1984 and 1985, played in 14 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, made 24 straight post-season appearances, and won seven Big East Tournament titles. Thompson's 1984 squad, led by Patrick Ewing, captured the NCAA Championship. He also coached the USA Olympic Team to a bronze medal in 1988. One of Thompson's most impressive statistics was his 97 percent graduation rate among his four-year players. All are Zinc-Etched medallions. Hannum is in NM condition. Nikolic is in excellent condition; black background slightly chipped on lower left side. Thompson is in good to very good condition; black background chipped above left hear and above right shoulder.