Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was my favorite player before Magic Johnson, now it’s LeBron James and Keven Durant. Who is next to carry on the legacy? It might indeed be one of the Skyhook Foundation kids that will benefit in the near future from Kareem’s decision to sell his memorabilia consisting of four NBA Championship rings, All-Star rings, MVP trophies and more, for their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program. Kids of Kareem’s community benefit from the cause by the auction’s ability to leverage his great legacy within the game to help fund Abdul-Jabbar’s Foundation. Jabbar’s 247-lot netted nearly $3 million of the $6 million in sales at the record setting GOLDIN AUCTIONS 2019 WINTER AUCTION. Mike Trout is the newest baseball legacy in real-time as his card went for $186,580 setting a new standard. Ty Cobb, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle memorabilia, plus a KD card, were also included in the 2,000-lots of memorabilia. Glad to see the coming together of Goldin Auctions, Kareem and Skyhook Foundation to help fulfill the mission to “give kids a shot that can’t be blocked,” and keep it going.
#1: 1989 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Game Used, Signed & Inscribed Spalding Basketball Used For Last Points In Career-38,387 NBA Record (Abdul-Jabbar LOA)
Kareem
The Sports Techie community blog followers and readers are diverse in age and some may not remember or know about the 71-year-old, 7 foot 2 inch, Abdul-Jabbar, as in my 5-year old son. Previously known as Lew Alcindor, he is one of pro and college basketball’s all-time best ever. Probably high school too. He played center at UCLA for legendary coach John Wooden.
My brothers, friends and I would play nerf basketball at home or dunk hoops at the local school while pretending to be Kareem when he played for the Bruins, Milwaukee Bucks and then Los Angles Lakers, trying to imitate his unblockable sky hook shot.
Showtime was something to behold in Southern California and Kareem was a big part of the success the L.A. Lakers enjoyed after the arrival of Magic from Michigan State University in the 80s’. I loved Kareem’s NBA Finals battles with Boston Celtics center, Robert Parrish, aka “The Chief.” He played against the my favorite team, the stolen Seattle SuperSonics, many times through his career and the Sonics usually lost but not always.
I truly understand why collectors with extra disposable income would jump at the chance via auction to purchase Kareem memorabilia that defines his amazing basketball career and personal interests while at the same time benefiting Skyhook Foundation. Kareem said, “When it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all.”
Skyhook Foundation and Camp Skyhook
Skyhook Foundation and Camp Skyhook takes kids before 6th grade up to Angeles National Forest, where they conduct hands on STEM experimentation’s. The foundation also provides resources for children, many living in poverty, to help them get an idea where good jobs of the 21st century are going to be. Kareem spoke about helping boys and girls use their educational opportunities in the best way. They currently have a six-year waiting list.
The time is now to make more of an impact via the Foundation. Goldin Auctions and all the bidders helped pave the way for Kareem’s wishes to come true with regards to his treasured, hard earned and respected memorabilia. Call it a win-win-win-win.
Kareem added, “Looking back on what I have done with my life, instead of gazing at the sparkle of jewels or gold plating celebrating something I did a long time ago, I’d rather look into the delighted face of a child holding their first caterpillar and think about what I might be doing for their future.”
UCLA Legacy Series – Kareem & Camp Skyhook
GOLDIN AUCTIONS 2019 WINTER AUCTION
The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Collection included four NBA championship rings netting $1.2 million, three NBA MVP Awards earning $366,000 and eight NBA All-Star jerseys bought at $400,000, totaling $2.9 million including buyer’s premium. Kareem’s personal items were attributed to a smudge below half of the entire $6 million auction take.
The complete collection can be viewed at https://goldinauctions.com/Category/Kareem_Abdul_Jabbar_Collection-219.html
Here’s a look at the final sale prices for some of the marquee items.
Lot #63 – 1987 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lakers NBA Championship Ring –
(Final Price: $398,937) — *Record for any NBA Championship Ring and any Lakers item
Lot #2 – 1985 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lakers NBA Championship Ring (Finals MVP) – (Final Price: $343,700)
Lot #1 – 1989 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Game-Used, Signed & Inscribed Spalding Basketball from his Final Career Points (38,387) – (Final Price: $270,050)
Lot #64 – 1988 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lakers NBA Championship Ring (Final Price: $245,500)
Lot #43 – 1980 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lakers NBA Championship Ring (Final Price: $245,500)
Lot #33 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 1971-72 NBA Most Valuable Player Podoloff Trophy presented to Lew Alcindor of the Milwaukee Bucks -the second of his six NBA MVP Awards (Final Price: $123,977)
Lot #3 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 1975-76 NBA Most Valuable Player Podoloff Trophy – Awarded after his first season with the Lakers in which he led the team with 27.7 ppg, 16.9 rpg. and 4.1 blks. (Final Price: $122,750)
Lot #37 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 1973-74 NBA Most Valuable Player Podoloff Trophy presented to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Milwaukee Bucks – the third of his six career NBA MVP Awards (Final Price: $122,750)
Lot #238 – 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects #BDPP89 Mike Trout (Orange Refractor) Signed Rookie Card (#14/25) BGS Gem Mint 9.5/BGS 10 – Among the 25 copies recorded in BGS’s census reporting, just one example has achieved a higher tier. (Final Price: $186,580) – *Record for any Mike Trout Item
Lot #190 – 1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb with “Ty Cobb” Back (PSA PR 1) – The Matchbox Find Example. One of fewer than 20 examples validated by PSA. (Final Price: $148,527)
Lot #182 – 1968 Willie Mays Games-Used & Signed S.F. Giant Home Jersey (MEARS A9.5 & Beckett) (Final Price: $88,380)
Lot #175 – 1923-25 Babe Ruth Game-Used Hillerich & Bradsby Pre Model Bat (PSA/DNA GU 8) (Final Price: $88,380)
Lot #208 – 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card (SGC 82 EX/MT+ 6.5)(Final Price: $76,105)
Lot #205 – 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie Card PSA NM-MT 8 –
(Final Price: $44,190)
Lot #514 – 2007-08 Exquisite Collection #94 Kevin Durant Signed Jersey Rookie Card (#12/35) PSA Authentic/Auto 10 – (Final Price: $34,370)
Lot #351 – 1907-09 H.M. Taylor Detroit Tigers Postcard “Ty Cobb at Bat” PSA VG3 (Final Price: $13,502)
Mike Trout
Collectors were in awe of the possible collector’s steal of the night in Trout’s $186,580 fetching price for a 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects #BDPP89 Mike Trout (Orange Refractor) card, setting a new threshold as most expensive Trout item ever auctioned off.
Goldin Auctions took part in two other historic record-setting for modern cards including a 1979-80 Wayne Gretzky rookie card going for an astonishing $465,000 and the 2003-04 LeBron James Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Logoman Rookie Card sold at $312,000.
About Goldin Auctions
Sports memorabilia impresario Ken Goldin has sold more than $700 million in memorabilia from many of the biggest names in sports, history and pop culture and was the pioneer of using the medium of television to sell sports memorabilia. Over the past few years, Goldin Auctions sold a Honus Wagner T206 card for a public sale record $3.12 million, Babe Ruth’s 1918 contract for a record $1.02 million, the Mike Piazza Post-9/11 home run jersey for $365,000, and the 1979-80 Wayne Gretzky PSA 10 rookie card for a record $465,000. Goldin Auctions strives to break new ground and offer collectors the best in collectible treasures up for auction in the marketplace. Goldin Auctions is the official auction partner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum.
Goldin Auctions is currently accepting consignments for all 2019 auctions. To consign an item, visit GoldinAuctions.com or call 856- 767-8550 or email [email protected].
Sports Techie, my personal views align with Kareem’s in a lot of ways, especially regarding our love of basketball, STEM and helping next-gen kids.
I am glad he was able to experience this one-of-a-kind opportunity because there is only one Kareem and only one Goldin Auctions. I liked how similar to an eBay bid, bids came in at the last moments and Kareem himself was using social media to hype up the live bidding process via his Twitter handle, even giving a shoutout to Magic!
My auction is stirring up a lot of memories for me. @MagicJohnson was a special part of my NBA life for so long & we created a magical legacy together. This is a special item to me. 1 hour left to bid!!!
@NBA @celticshttps://t.co/cSAfGqEgqs pic.twitter.com/lSSCndX9xm— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) March 3, 2019
Ken Goldin has a track record of success. You can see why after GOLDIN AUCTIONS 2019 WINTER AUCTION.
The online auction era is fast evolving. To witness the surge in monetary value of a Trout rookie card is mind boggling and exciting at the same time.
The best story of all, is Kareem’s wish to share his many basketball accolades, hardware and jewelry along with other historical items he collected along the way, like lot 87, to benefit his Foundation.
#87: Abraham Lincoln “Portrait of an Achiever” Artwork on 37×16 Framed Canvas(Steve Kaufman Art) (Abdul-Jabbar LOA)
President Lincoln’s portrait sold for $4,603 after 22 bids.
Way to go Kareem, Skyhook Foundation is on the right path. Coach Wooden would be mighty proud of you, as am I and your many fans around the world.
Bravo!
See ya later sportstechie in Seattle, Atlanta and around the world!
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