Christian Laettner, the former NCAA champion and member of the legendary Olympic “Dream Team,” is teaming up with SCP Auctions once again. Laettner is offering over 36 items from his personal collection in the Fall Premier Auction, which concludes on December 2nd.
Among the impressive collection are Laettner’s NCAA championship rings from 1991 and 1992. These rings symbolize the pinnacle of his college basketball career, where he led the Duke Blue Devils to back-to-back national championships. The rings are a testament to his skill, determination, and contribution to Duke’s success.
Also up for auction is a 1987 recruitment letter from Coach Mike Krzyzewski, one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. This letter, a piece of basketball lore, showcases the trust and respect Coach K had in Laettner even before his college career began.
Another prized item from Laettner’s collection is his iconic #32 Duke jersey, retired during his senior season in 1992 at the revered Cameron Indoor Stadium. This jersey holds immense sentimental value and represents the legacy Laettner left at Duke University.
Highlighting Laettner’s involvement in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics is his game-worn, autographed uniform and warm-up suit. These items symbolize Laettner’s remarkable achievement of being selected as part of the “Dream Team.” This historic team, consisting of basketball legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, dominated the Olympics and showcased the best of American basketball to the world.
In addition to the uniform and warm-up suit, Laettner’s collection includes a team-signed basketball from the 1992 Olympics. This basketball represents the camaraderie and teamwork displayed by the “Dream Team” as they coasted to a gold medal victory.
One particularly unique item is an autographed ticket from the gold medal final game in Barcelona – the highest graded example authenticated and graded by PSA. This ticket provides fans with a tangible piece of basketball history, allowing them to own a memento from a highly coveted event.
Laettner’s collection also features his Naismith Hall of Fame induction ring from 2010 and his National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Medal from the same year. These accolades recognize Laettner’s exceptional basketball career and his impact on the sport at both the college and professional levels.
Fans will also have the chance to bid on Laettner’s 1997 NBA All-Star ring and a game-worn jersey from his rookie year in the NBA. These items showcase Laettner’s transition from college basketball to the professional stage, where he continued to make a name for himself.
Laettner expressed his sentimental attachment to these items, reflecting on the highlights of his basketball career. He sees this auction as an opportunity for collectors and fans to own a piece of his storied journey, allowing them to share in the memories and celebrate the milestones he achieved.
This auction follows the successful sale of Laettner’s jersey in 2014, which he wore during his iconic turnaround jumper against Kentucky in the 1992 NCAA Tournament. The jersey fetched an impressive $119,500, a testament to the enduring legacy of that unforgettable moment in basketball history.
Now, as Laettner opens up his collection once again, fans and basketball enthusiasts have the chance to own a piece of history. Whether it’s a championship ring, a recruitment letter, or a game-worn jersey, these items offer a tangible connection to the remarkable career of Christian Laettner – a name forever etched in basketball lore.
