This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/1/2002.
To say Artis Gilmore burst on to the scene his first year in the ABA would not be telling the whole story. The Jacksonville All-American took the ABA by storm in 1971-72, leading the league in rebounds and field goal percentage en route to being named Rookie of the Year and MVP for the Kentucky Colonels. The 7' 2", 240-lb. center went on to set ABA career marks in blocked shots (750) and field goal percentage (.557) before joining the NBA in 1976. The first item offered here is a 71'-72' Colonels warmup jacket worn by Gilmore during his rookie season. The size 40 Rawlings jacket is emblazoned with "Kentucky" across the back and features the Colonel's logo on the left breast. Number "53" is written in marker to the left of the Rawlings label on the jacket, which shows nice use wear. Also included is a satin Tour of Japan warmup jacket worn by Gilmore in 1975-76. The jacket has an ABA logo on the right breast and an NBA logo below the left breast. "Descente Basketball" is sewn diagonally across the front and there are Japanese letters on the reverse. Gilmore's name is written in black marker on the Sample Descente label in the collar of the jacket, which shows wear. Both items come with letters from Gilmore stating their authenticity.