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Wilt Chamberlain Lakers Jersey From 1972 NBA Finals Sells For Record $4.9 Million

Wilt Chamberlain's 1972 NBA Finals jersey from the Los Angeles Lakers' first ever championship in Los Angeles sold this week for $4.9 million at Sotheby's New York. It's officially the third-most valuable NBA jersey ever sold publicly.

This iconic No. 13 gold jersey was the first Chamberlain championship jersey to ever appear at auction. Only Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey ($10.1 million) and Kobe Bryant's 2007 MVP season jersey ($5.8 million) have sold for more.

It also surpassed the previous record for a game-worn vintage (pre-1980) NBA item. The previous record was Chamberlain's jersey from his rookie season with the Philadelphia Warriors, which sold for $1.79 million in June 2023.

"This jersey holds an extraordinarily significant place in the history of Los Angeles, not only adorned by the man many consider to be the greatest player ever to step on the court, but as a relic from one of the greatest franchises in sports history," Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectibles Brahms Watcher said in a statement. 

The 1971-72 season was one for the history books. The Lakers won 33 consecutive games, which is still the longest streak in NBA history. Chamberlain was a big reason for their success. 

He wore the jersey on May 7, 1972 during Game 5 of the 1972 NBA finals, when he registered a double-double with 24 points and 29 rebounds. The numbers were impressive, but even more so was the fact that Chamberlain played through a broken hand he suffered in the previous game.

Although the Lakers organization had already won five titles in Minnesota, the 1972 championship was the first won for the city of Los Angeles. 

Chamberlain flirted with a quadruple-double during Game 5 of the series against the Knicks with 24 points, 29 rebounds, eight blocks and eight assists over 47 minutes on the court. The Lakers won that game-clinching contest, 114-100, and lifted the trophy in front of their home crowd. Unsurprisingly, Chamberlain was named the Finals MVP. 

"The Big Dipper" was an NBA center for 14 seasons and is often referred to as one of the greatest players in history. He retired as a 13-time NBA All-Star, a four-time MVP and two-time NBA champion. Chamberlain registered a total of 31,419 total points, which at the time was a league record. He also grabbed 23,924 career rebounds, a record that stands to this day. 

Ryder Cup Trophy: Height, Weight, Material And Size

In the world of sport, champions are normally handed a piece of careful shaped metal to acknowledge their efforts. There are big trophies, there are little trophies, and some of them are truly iconic, recognised by just its silhouette.

In the illustrious world of golf, where history is written with every swing and each putt holds the promise of glory, the Ryder Cup trophy stands out as an emblem of its very particular prestige. The gritty contest between the elite talents of Europe and the United States is mammoth, but despite its name resounding through the annals of golfing lore, the trophy itself is far from imposing. But there are some details that often elude the casual observer. Let's take a look...

How big is the Ryder Cup trophy?

Standing at a modest 17 inches (c.43 cm) in height, with a width of a mere nine inches (c.23 cm) from the end of each handle, and a weight of approximately four pounds (c.1.8 kg), the Ryder Cup trophy may surprise those expecting a grandiose and imposing symbol of victory. It certainly doesn't have a sense of imposter syndrome, unlike other trophies, (looking at you Stanley!) It actually shares a similar stature with the famous FIFA World Cup trophy, proving that in the world of sports, size does not necessarily equate to significance.

Remarkably, this revered trophy, which has witnessed the greatest golfing talents of our era in amazing settings and atmospheres, came into existence at a relatively modest cost. Crafting this masterpiece set its founder Samuel Ryder, a seed merchant, back a sum of approximately $400 during its inception, which is over $20,000 in today's money. Ask any player who has battled for it, though, and they'd tell you it was priceless.

Who is the golfer on top of the Ryder Cup trophy?

I know what you're thinking. Surely that's Sam Ryder sitting atop his own trophy, right? Well, no.

It's actually styled on one of the top golfers from the 1920s, Abe Mitchell. He appeared himself in the competition three times and ended with a 4-2-0 record. He went on to befriend and then mentor Ryder in the game, and thanks to that has a place in the history books... And in many a trivia quiz.

Who keeps the Ryder Cup trophy?

Intriguingly, ownership of the original Ryder Cup trophy rests with the Professional Golfers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, a custodianship entrusted to them by the trophy's namesake, Ryder himself. This iconic relic of golf's finest team event finds its sanctuary at the association's headquarters, The Belfry's Hunters Lodge.

It's worth noting that the winning Ryder Cup team does not bear the honour of raising the original aloft at the end of the three days. Instead, an identical replica exclusively crafted for the PGA of America is handed over. So while the victorious team and supporting cast bask in the glory of their triumph, the original Ryder Cup trophy remains untouched, a silent observer of their jubilation.

There's also another replica trophy reserved for promotional appearances. This doppelgänger gets an invite to all sorts of events, and serves as a symbol of the trophy's iconic status, captivating the hearts and imaginations of golfing enthusiasts young and old around the world.

Jamal Murray Scraps Plans To Bring Larry O'Brien Trophy To Kitchener, Trophy Under 'Lock & Key'

After Jamal Murray claimed he'd bring the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to Kitchener, Ontario, where the Denver Nuggets star was raised, it seems like that won't be happening.

According to The Star, the Denver Nuggets axed Murray's plan to bring the trophy home.

"Our owners have had it under lock and key since we won and no players or staff are allowed to take it anywhere," Nuggets director of media relations Nick O'Hayre wrote to The Star in an email. "The players don't take the trophy like the Stanley Cup, it doesn't make rounds or get passed around."

Murray had originally told Arash Madani from Sportsnet that he would bring the trophy home.

"It means a lot for that kind of support [in Kitchener]. I'm bringing that Larry O' to Kitchener," Murray said.

Murray was supposed to join Team Canada during their FIBA World Cup run but stepped down when he decided he wasn't physically ready to participate in another high-intensity tournament.

Team Canada would wind up besting the United States for the bronze medal.

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