Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton. Two Hall of Fame centers uniquely connected by having both played under legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA. By the time the latter got to the pros, Alcindor had changed his name to Kareem and won an NBA title in 1971 with the Milwaukee Bucks. The charismatic Walton brought his hustle, unselfishness and creativity to Portland, leading the Trail Blazers to their first ever championship in 1977.

After getting poked in the eye in the fall of ’74 and aggravating a college injury, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar consistently wore protective goggles that became as customary as his patented sky hook. The following season, he was traded to Los Angeles where his long Lakers run began. In 1979, Walton was traded to the San Diego Clippers. The two 7-footers were back in Southern California again. Around that time, Kareem gifted this pair of game-used goggles to Walton according to a family letter. Both can be seen wearing similar looking goggles during a Lakers-Clippers game in a printed photo included with this lot.

This special pair of clear acrylic eye goggles worn by two of greatest centers in basketball history are taped in typical fashion around the arms to secure the black elastic support band. A small piece of tape secures the nose guard. The plastic lenses exhibit many scratch marks and noticeable wear from in-game action. Marked "FRANCE – DE-" on one side arm and “-E – PAT. PEND.” on the other, the rest of the manufacturer stamping is obscured by the period linen reinforcements.

Overall, the goggles come in terrific condition just as they were issued and customized for player use. It should be noted that the last two pair of Kareem goggles at SCP Auctions sold for $29,586 (Summer '22) and $30,768 (Winter '22). This pair was part of The Bill Walton Collection and come with a letter of provenance from Bill’s widow.