Auction Item Details
Lot 278
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Lot Number: 278
Description: Important February 28, 1968 Bill Russell 20,000th Career Rebound Basketball (Second All-Time Career NBA Leaders). Beginning with his collegiate tenure at the University of San Francisco, Bill Russell learned the incredibly important and yet underrated value of rebounding the basketball. The practice of securing rebounds wasn't easy, pretty, or glamorous but it was a key ingredient to success... and winning championships. Russell's tenacious commitment to the process and his educated approach to the game was revolutionary for the time period. Russell remarked, "A rebounder, or a shot-blocker for that matter, is always at a disadvantage if he tells himself the only way he can succeed is by out jumping the guy next to him. Sometimes he will have to, but most of the time he will not. Most of my rebounds came from positioning, where I was able to get the ball while in heavy traffic." Bill Russell would go on to become one of the most prolific rebounders the game has ever seen finishing his career with an incalculable total of 21,620 rebounds in 963 games. That total equated to an average of 22.5 rebounds per game for his 13 year career which is simply an impossible and staggering statistic to process. For perspective, Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are the only two players to have eclipsed the monumental 20,000 rebound mark. Kareem Abdul Jabber is third on the list with 17,440 boards in 1,560 games. The closest active player, Dwight Howard at 14,271....in 1,182 games. On February 28, 1968, in a game played at the Boston Garden against the San Francisco Warriors Bill Russell eclipsed the milestone of 20,000 career rebounds. The official Wilson model B1210 J.Walter Kennedy NBA basketball was snared by Russell for the milestone rebound. The ball presents in fine original condition with evident use remaining in superb condition grade. Hand painted titling in period white lettering on side panel, "Bill Russell 20,000th Rebound vs. San Francisco at Boston Garden February 28, 1968". The significance of this basketball milestone is very difficult to convey but will quite possibly never be equaled again. The manner in which the game is played today coupled with player career length render the odds of another player reaching 20,000 rebounds nearly non existent. This career basketball represents a lifetime of commitment by Bill Russell to his craft and as such poignantly stands as one of the most important pieces within the Russell Collection. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions and signed letter of provenance from Bill Russell: EXEstimated Price Range: ($50,000-$100,000)
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