Bill Russell auction his most prized NBA memorabilia

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2 min readJul 23, 2021

The NBA’s most decorated player will give the public the chance to purchase memorabilia from his Hall of Fame career.

Bill Russell announced Thursday that he will be offering hundreds of items, including rings, letters, jerseys and basketballs, as well as trophies, rings, basketball jerseys. These items cover his 13-year history as a coach and player for the Boston Celtics. They also include mementos that document his involvement in the civil rights movement.

The trove includes the first (1957), and last (1969), NBA-record 11 championship rings that he won in Boston; four of his five NBA Most Valuable Player trophys and his 1956 U.S. Men’s Basketball Olympic gold medal.

Russell stated in a video that he will keep a few photos for himself, but that the rest he will share with the whole world.

Hunt Auctions will conduct the sale. They have previously managed auctions for such greats as Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, Roberto Clemente. Gale Sayers and Johnny Unitas.

Boston is the tentative location for the auction, which will take place in fall or winter.

Russell stated that another reason he sold the items was to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Boston-based nonprofit MENTOR. Russell co-founded MENTOR more than three decades back. The group’s goal is to improve mentoring relationships.

Boston Celtics United for Social Justice will receive an additional donation. This group focuses on addressing racial inequalities in the Boston region.

Hunt Auctions President Dave Hunt stated that Russell’s collection is an honor for his group.

“There aren’t many people at Bill Russell’s level. Hunt stated that the air is very thin. Hunt said that there are certain names that transcend the sport and have changed the sport.

Although it is not clear how much each Russell’s item will fetch, similar auctions managed by Hunt have brought in big numbers. One of the most memorable was in 2019, when a rare and game-worn Babe Ruth Yankees Road Jersey dating from 1928–30 was sold for $5.64million. According to the auctioneer, that was the record-breaking sale of sports memorabilia.

Hunt points out that Russell keeps the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was presented to him by Barack Obama in 2011.

Russell also received a letter from Jackie Robinson after he and other Black Celtics players refused service at a hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.

Hunt stated, “It’s an incredible piece and it’s very hard to put a value on an object like that.” Hunt said, “But there’s a better way to share this than from the person who contributed. And doing good as a result.”

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