2017 October Legends Closing November 11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/12/2017
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio wore this black road jersey during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 NBA season. This was Rubio’s rookie season, and the fifth overall pick of the draft showcased the preternatural passing touch that had the Timberwolves brass so enamored with him. Rubio averaged 8.2 assists, 2.2 steals, and 10.6 points per game as the Timberwolves struggled to get going during the short campaign, finishing with a 26-40 record. Rubio’s assist numbers were good for sixth most per game in the league, and he finished second in the Association in steals per game.
Rubio wore this jersey for three games, on February 29th against the Lakers, March 1st against the Suns, and March 3rd against the Portland Trail Blazers. In the first game, Rubio was limited to three points, but notched nine assists and two steals as the Wolves fell 104-85 at the Staples Center. The next night, Rubio improved to 13 points, with two steals and two assists, during the Wolves 104-95 defeat at the US Airways Center in Phoenix.
The final game took place at the Rose Garden in Portland, with the Timberwolves winning by a score of 122-110. Kevin Love dropped 42 for the Wolves, while Rubio backed him up with 12 assists, six points, four boards, and two steals. This victory brought the Timberwolves record up to .500, at 19-19.
This sleeveless jersey is black, with “WOLVES” sewn on the chest in white, blue, and silver tackle twill. Rubio’s number “9” is sewn on the front and back of the jersey in white mesh over blue and silver tackle twill. “RUBIO” is sewn across the back shoulders in white tackle twill below a circular Timberwolves logo patch. The sides of the jersey are accented in blue, white, and gray, while the collar features a blue and gray border. A NBA logo patch is sewn on the left breast. A “XL2” tag is sewn on the back inside collar, while an Adidas NBA size “XL” tag is sewn on the front left tail of the jersey. An additional NBA Authentics tag is sewn next to the Adidas tag. “11-12 Set 5” and “9-Rubio” is written on the Adidas tag, which also has a “Length +2” flag attached. This jersey comes with a LOA from the Timberwolves equipment manager for all three games, as well as a LOA from Resolution Photomatching, which photo matches the jersey to the Blazers game.