Don Buse played 13 seasons (1972–1985) in the ABA and NBA as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Kansas City Kings. Buse was known for his dependable ball-handling, tight defense, and clutch-shooting, and he appeared in two All-Star games, one in the ABA in 1976 and one in the NBA in 1977. His best season occurred in 1975–1976, when he led the ABA in both steals per game (4.12) and assists per game (8.2) while also contributing a career high 12.5 points per game. In the next season, his first in the NBA, Buse again led all players in steals per game (3.47) and assists per game (8.5). Buse was an All-Defensive Team member every season from the 1974-1975 season through the 1979-1980 season. The first two were in the ABA and the final four were in the NBA. Buse was selected for the NCAA squad to compete for positions on the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team, but he was replaced by Jim Forbes as he signed a professional contract. In the 1972-1973 regular season the Pacers won a relatively modest 51 games and finished second in the West. In the post-season they were challenged in every playoff series, but won their second title in a row in perhaps the league's strongest year. After getting past Denver and Utah, the Pacers faced the Kentucky Colonels in the finals. Kentucky protested Game 1, which Indiana won 111-107 in overtime. The dispute arose when Kentucky's Jim O'Brien missed the rim just before the shot clock expired. The officials could not hear the buzzer because of the noise at Freedom Hall, O'Brien got the ball back and made a second shot which would have broken a 100-100 tie. Following a conference, the officials negated the basket. With the Pacers trailing in Game 5, McGinnis fumbled the ball out of bounds as he drove for the basket. Five seconds later, he stole a pass near mid-court, took the ball to the hoop and stuffed in the shot to give Indiana an 89-86 victory. Kentucky won Game 6, 109-93, at the Coliseum, forcing Indiana to again win a title on the road. The Pacers won the series in Game 7 by beating the Colonels 88-81. Cast in 10K yellow gold, around the top perimeter of this size 10-1/2 ring is "World Champions" with "ABA" on either side in relief. In the center is a raised rendition of a polar-coordinate earth onto which are set two 15-point diamonds and one 33-1/3 point diamond. On the right shank is a raised scoreboard that reads "88-81," below which is a raised ABA logo, a raised rendition of a player in Pacers uniform taking a hook shot with net and the years "70 72 73," below which is an engraved date banner that reads "May 12." On the left shank is an engraved raised banner with the player name "Buse," below which is a raised Pacers logo, below which is an engraved raised banner with the player number "10." Inside the ring is stamped "Herff Jones HJ 10K." NRMT condition with light wear, comes with original presentation box which has the order number and Buse's information typed on. Accompanied by a LOA from Don Buse, which reads in part "I was given this ring for being a member of the Indiana Pacers Pacers 1972-73 ABA Championship Team."