If social media was around in the 1970s, “Pistol” Pete Maravich would have certainly been one of the most viral and influential athletes. His scoring accomplishments, ballhandling wizardry and behind-the-back passes were unique and groundbreaking in the game of basketball. To this day, no college player has come close to Pete’s ridiculous 44.18 ppg scoring average at LSU. He brought his razzle-dazzle style of play to the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks where he earned multiple All-Star selections, 2nd Team All-NBA honors in 1973, and eventually induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

This five-card grouping of 1970s Topps Maravich card includes his coveted 1970-71 “tall boy” #123 rookie in a freshly-holdered SGC EX/NM 6. The grader did the consignor no favors, as the only noticeable flaw is its moderate off-centering, something that is nearly impossible to avoid in this set. Every other category (corners, edges, surface, image & print quality) appears NM-MT or better. Pete’s second (1971-72 Topps #55) and third year (1972-72 Topps #5) issues were also slabbed by SGC with rather harsh assessments of EX/NM 6 and NM 7, (dis)respectively. As a bonus, 1977 Topps #20 and ’78 Topps #80 examples from Pete’s New Orleans Jazz tenure are also included in raw, low-grade form.