1968 Mira Tuttosport I Campionissimi Lew Alcindor #490 PSA NM-MT 8. ...

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1968 Mira Tuttosport I Campionissimi Lew Alcindor #490 PSA NM-MT 8. Lew Alcindor began his basketball career in New York City and was a prep-school icon. Continuing his success in high school, the as rebellious as he was talented young man went to UCLA where he was tutored by the Wizard of Westwood. He won three NCAA titles and the Bruins finished with an 88-2 record when Alcindor manned the middle. Alcindor took his considerable talents to the professional ranks and helped make the Milwaukee Bucks winners. One can't help but be amazed by the fact basketball history came down to the flip of a coin. Lew had a million dollar offer (over $6,500,000 in today's dollars) to sign as the newest star attraction of the Harlem Globetrotters. The three-time NCAA National Player of the Year future was decided by the flip of a coin. The first pick in the 1969 draft went to the Phoenix Suns if it was heads, tails meant the most prolific scorer in the history of professional basketball would begin with the fledgling Milwaukee Bucks franchise. It was tails.

Graded PSA NM-MT 8. One of only two graded NM-MT with none higher from a total pop of just thirty-two. Much like artifacts related to Cassius Clay, collectors are particularly drawn to pieces predating this Hall of Fame legend's conversion to Islam and subsequent name change to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Usually, high-grade examples are a rare find. With this obscure issue any example is a "find" so collectors should pay very close attention to this lot. High quality corners, problem-free and close to perfect centering. Rookie cards of Hall of Famers have been the hottest commodity lately. This card pre-dates the '69 Topps issue and exists in far lesser supply. This could prove a smart acquisition for the investor or HoF specialist.