Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was named as Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year in 1985. The towering Lakers star recently assumed the title of all-time leading scorer in the NBA, passing Wilt Chamberlain during the 1984 campaign. In the 1984-85 season, Abdul-Jabbar led the Lakers to another NBA title, this time defeating Larry Bird and the hated Boston Celtics in a riveting six-game series. This was the first time that the Lakers’ franchise defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, after losing in the eight previous series.

Abdul-Jabbar was named the Finals MVP after averaging 25.7 points, 9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. This Sportsman of the Year trophy consists of a 7.5 x 7.5-inch wooden pedestal topped by a 12.5-inch tall Greek amphora. A plaque on the pedestal is engraved with “Sports Illustrated / Sportsman of the Year / 1985 / Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / for Symbolizing in Character and Performance the Ideals of Sportsmanship”. This item derives directly from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a personally hand-signed LOA from Kareem will accompany this item.

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