NBA
How much did Wilt Chamberlain’s 1972 NBA Finals Game 5 Lakers Jersey sell for?
The Los Angeles Lakers jersey worn by the legendary center during the 1972 NBA Finals was sold at auction for $4.9 million at Sotheby’s.
Chamberlain played a crucial role in the Lakers’ early success, particularly during the 1971/72 season when the Lakers won against the New York Knicks in the grand final. In the decisive fifth match, Wilt was in top form, recording an impressive 24 points, 29 rebounds, and eight assists and blocks each, despite suffering an injury to his right hand. His incredible performance was instrumental in securing the victory for the Lakers.
Chamberlain is highly regarded as one of the most dominant players in the history of the NBA. He began his professional career in 1958, and throughout his career, he won numerous awards and accolades. He was a two-time champion, a four-time most valuable player, and the MVP of the final series once. He was also selected to participate in the All-Star game an impressive 13 times.
Wilt’s basketball career was nothing short of remarkable. He finished his rookie season as both MVP and Rookie of the Year, a feat that had only been accomplished by Wes Anseld in previous history. Before joining the NBA, he played for the Harlem Globetrotters and at Kansas University. Philadelphia drafted him and scored an astonishing 31,419 points throughout his NBA career. This record stood for some years until Kareem Abdul Jabbar broke it, and then LeBron James, last season, took the top spot. Despite this, Chamberlain remains one of the greatest players ever gracing the NBA.
Wilt Chamberlain was an outstanding basketball player who left an indelible mark on the NBA. He averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists throughout his career. He still owns several NBA individual player records, including four of the top five points-per-game performances in NBA history. These include his record-breaking 100-point game and his 78-point and two 73-point performances. In addition, Chamberlain holds the record for most points per game through an NBA season (50.4 ppg), the most points in an NBA season (4,029), and the most 50-point games in a single season (45), among others. His dominance on the court earned him 13 All-Star selections and four MVP awards. Even today, his legacy in the NBA remains unmatched.
What price did the legendary Lakers ‘72 jersey reach?
Still, one of his most notable achievements was winning the NBA Finals in 1972, where he played a crucial role in leading the LA Lakers to victory over the New York Knicks. Chamberlain was named Finals MVP for this victory, an honor only introduced in 1969, a decade after starting his NBA career.
One of Chamberlain’s jerseys during the 1972 NBA Finals, specifically in Game 2 and the clinching Game 5, was sold at Sotheby’s auction for an astounding $4.9 million on Wednesday night. This sale has set a new record for any item of Chamberlain memorabilia. The jersey has become a valuable collector’s item, representing one of the most significant moments in Chamberlain’s storied career.