2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
The American Basketball Association, which would now surely attract many of modern basketball’s fans, proved to be way ahead of its time. With high-flying, fast break offenses, the three-point shot and a red, white and blue ball, the ABA was quite the entertaining league. Over the years, it was also a league filled with exceptional talent including Julius Erving, George Gervin, Dan Issel, Connie Hawkins and Rick Barry.
During the 1968-69 season, the Oakland Oaks were easily the best team in the ABA. Led by Barry – and his 34.0 points per game average - they finished with a record of 60-18, tops in the league by a wide margin as the next highest team wins total was 46. The Oaks, coached by Alex Hannum, rode their regular season success though the playoffs en route to the league title.
Featured here is a 1968-69 Oakland Oaks ABA Championship 10K player ring given to John Clawson. Prior to playing for the Oaks, Clawson won a gold medal as a member of the 1968 United States Olympic basketball team. He averaged 4.7 points per game with the Oaks for the 1969 season. This ring prominently features an attractive green stone as its centerpiece, with the words “OAKLAND OAKS CHAMPIONS” displayed around the bezel setting. The right shank of the ring bears the Oaks team logo in the center, with their record 60-18 above and the year “1969” below. The American Basketball Association league logo appears on the other side of the band, with the name “CLAWSON” engraved in a banner above it. “HERFF JONES HJ 10 K” is marked on the inside of the band, with Clawson’s name appearing in script engraving. This ring is an approximate size 12 and it weighs approximately 25.4 grams and comes with a LOA from John Clawson.