October Legends Closing October 27,2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/27/2018
Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was presented with this Atlanta Tipoff Club James A. Naismith Trophy plaque for his outstanding play during the 1968-69 college basketball season. Abdul-Jabbar, known in college as Lew Alcindor, averaged 24 points and 14.5 rebounds per game in 1968-69, his senior season at UCLA. Abdul-Jabbar led the Bruins to the NCAA title in 1968-69, their third straight championship, while also completing his three-peat of Final Four Most Outstanding Player trophies.
Abdul-Jabbar was the first player to win the James A. Naismith Trophy, and by 1979 the Naismith Trophy had eclipsed the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year award as the most prestigious honor bestowed to NCAA basketball athletes. This plaque measures 16.5 x 13 inches. It reads “The James A. Naismith Trophy / Presented to Lew Alcindor U.C.L.A. / The Most Outstanding College Basketball Player in the United States, as voted by United Press International / from / The Atlanta Tipoff Club / 1968-1969”. This plaque is in good condition. This historically significant award derives directly from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a personally hand-signed LOA from Kareem will accompany this item.