This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/25/2015.
The most dominant defensive center in NBA history, Russell was a master at anticipating, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds that triggered the Boston Celtics' fast break. Bill won 11 NBA Championships and started a dynasty in Boston winning in 1957 and 1959-66 as a player, and 1968 and 1969 as a player/coach of the Celtics. He won NBA MVP honors five times, was the rebounding champion four times and played in 12 All-Star Games, winning game MVP in 1963. Enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1974, he was named to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. When he retired from playing, Russell had set numerous NBA playoff records, pulling down 21,620 rebounds (second only to Wilt Chamberlain) and had scored 14,522 points. Before turning pro, Russell was an All-American and National Player of the Year at San Francisco, leading the Dons to the 1955 and 1956 NCAA titles. Russell also powered the USA to an 8-0 record and the Gold Medal at the 1956 Olympics. Green durene jersey with white, green, and white stripe trim around neck and arm openings. On the inside center front tail of the jersey is the "Horace Partridge Sporting Goods" manufacturer's tag with the jersey size "44" on it. Stamped on the tag in black ink is "65-46." Across the front of the jersey is "BOSTON." Adjacent below and on back is the player number "6". All lettering and numbering is done in white satin. The jersey appears to have no alterations of any kind. This exceedingly rare jersey is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows outstanding use and is in excellent overall condition. To our knowledge, this is the first "BOSTON" green road jersey available for public sale and is one of only two known. The other one has been in a private collection for over 30 years.