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For the 1961-62 season, The NBA returned to Chicago after 11 years after the Stags who made it to the first championship series folded. The new team known as the Packers, who are the first expansion team to join the NBA in 12 years were not very good as they finished in last place with an awful 18-62 record. However, first round draft pick Walt Bellamay became an instant star winning the Rookie of the Year while finishing 2nd to Wilt Chamberlain with an impressive 31.6 ppg, and finishing 3rd in rebounds to Chamberlain and Bill Russell with a 19.0 per game.
This would be the only year that the franchise was named the Chicago Packers. During the 1962-63 season, the team name was changed to the Zephyrs. The following year, the team would then move to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Bullets.
Offered is an extremely rare 9” x 8” team issued photo that was signed during the inaugural season in red ballpoint pen by 12 members of the team (every single player and head coach). Included are the autographs of:
· Bob Slick Leonard – Basketball HOF
· Howie Carl – (D. 2005) 1 year NBA player out of DePaul
· Si Green (D. 1980 at the age of 47) thee first overall pick of the 1956 draft out of Duqeuenes
· Ralph Davis
· Jack Turner (D. 2013) 1 year NBA player out of Louisvile
· Andy Johnson (D. 2002) infamous Harlem Globetrotters player who also played with the Philadelphia Warriors and in the ABL and Eastern League.
· Charlie Tyra (D. 2006) 2nd overall pick in the 1957 NBA draft out of Louisville. Tyra also played with the Knicks and with Connie Hawkins on the Pittsburgh Rens in the ABL
· Walt Bellamy – Basketball HOF and Rookie of the Year
· Coach Jim Pollard (D. 1993) Basketball Hall of Fame
· Horace Walker (D. 2001) one year NBA player out of Michigan State
· Dave Piontek – (D. 2004) played in the NBA from 1956-63 for the Royals, Hawks, and Packers
· Woody Sauldsberry – (D. 2007) despite being an 8th round pick in 1957 after playing for the Harlem Globetrotters, he was named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 1958. His autograph is rarely seen.
f Full LOA from PSA/DNA
Item: 10626
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