This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Willis Reed earned All-Star status in his first seven pro seasons (1964 to 1971), all with the Knicks. He led New York to its first ever NBA Championship in 1970, a year in which he became the first player to be named league MVP, All-Star Game MVP and Playoffs MVP in the same season. Hampered in the next two seasons by tendonitis in his knees, Reed returned to his old form in 1973 to help the Knicks capture another NBA title and garner another NBA Finals MVP award. Reed retired after playing only nine games in the 1973-74 season. The 1965 NBA Rookie of the Year, Reed was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996, and elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. Before joining the Knicks, Reed was a college All-America and led Grambling State to the 1961 NAIA title. This white jersey has orange and blue stripe trim around the neck and arm openings. On the inside back collar is the "Gerry Cosby" distributors tag. Attached to that are two additional manufacturers tags with jersey size "48" and wash instructions on them. Across the front of the jersey is "NEW YORK" in orange on blue tackle twill. Below that and on the back is the player number "19" in orange on blue tackle twill. Across the back is "REED" in blue tackle twill. The bottom leg of the first "E" in the name is straight, not curved like the other "E" and matches exactly the uniform worn in a picture with Reed, Frazier, DeBusschere, Barnett and Bradley on the bench with Coach Red Holzman. The jersey shows game-use with some wrinkling of the numbers and very slight dirt stains. The jersey appears to have no alterations of any kind. The jersey is accompanied by photo matching the jersey to Reed on the Knicks bench. Accompanied by a letter from Knicks coach Red Holzman's former secretary who obtained and consigned this item.