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From the Naismith Basketball HOF website – “Before Bill Russell brought his marvelous defensive and shot-blocking skills to basketball, the game focused primarily on offense. Russell reversed the trend, initiating a defensive mentality that remains a focal part of championship basketball. Considered the greatest defensive center in basketball history, the agile Russell was a dominant collegian. Playing under Hall of Fame Coach Phil Woolpert, and with fellow Hall of Famer K.C. Jones, Russell helped the University of San Francisco become one of college basketball's most exciting and prosperous teams. Russell then turned the Boston Celtics into a powerful machine that overwhelmed opponents both defensively and offensively. During Russell's career, Boston won eleven NBA championships, including eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966. Russell's head-to-head battles with Wilt Chamberlain were legendary. Russell was a five-time league MVP (1958, 1961-63, 1965), 12-time NBA All Star, Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (1968), and The Sporting News Athlete of the Decade (1970).”
In the summer of 1921, Chuck Taylor hobbled into a Converse Chicago sales office complaining of sore feet and persuaded executives to create a shoe especially for basketball. Taylor, who was a two-time All-State selection at Columbus High School and a journeyman jump shooter for eleven professional seasons, was an entrepreneur and involved in all facets of basketball promotion. In 1932, Converse added Taylor's signature to its trademark five-pronged star shoe, and sent its new basketball ambassador on the road to promote the sneaker. Initially, "Chucks" were only available in high or low canvas in either black or white, and sold only in sporting goods stores. Converse All-Stars became the best-selling basketball shoe in history making Chuck Taylor's name a household word. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in in 1969, the same year that he passed away in Port Charlotte, Florida. He is a super duper tough autograph to locate, not because he wouldn’t sign, but because nobody thought to ask him for his autograph.
Offered is Bill Russell’s personally owned "Chuck Taylor All-American Selection...William Russell, University of San Francisco was selected to the Converse All-American Basketball Team for 1955." The bottom is signed by Chuck Taylor, "Compiler of the Converse All-American Basketball Poll."
That season, Russell averaged 21.4 points and 20.5 rebounds per game , while leading the Dons to the NCAA championship and capturing the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award. Measures 8x11".
Historic one of a kind award from one of the G.O.A.T.’s of Basketball!!!
Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services and a Signed Letter from Bill Russell from when he auctioned off his personal collection.
Item: 13119
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