This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
University of Detroit sophomore forward Spencer Haywood, led the nation in rebounding, was third in scoring and helped lead the U.S. Olympic basketball team to a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. As a result, Haywood signed a $1.6 million contract from the ABA's Denver Rockets. Spencer went pro right after the Games and become the league's Rookie of the Year and MVP before jumping to the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics who drafted him in 1970. Because the league refused to let him play since his class hadn't graduated, Haywood sued and his victory cleared the way for future non-grads and high schoolers to play in the NBA. Haywood himself would play 14 years with 5 NBA teams. The size 13-1/4 ring has a ruby-like stone surrounded by the words "U.S. Olympic Team, 1968." The left shank has a crest with the Olympic rings, the right a crest with the word "Basketball." The ring is slightly tarnished but is in otherwise excellent condition.