Presented here is a crystal clear original photograph of University of Maryland star forward Len Bias during NBA Draft night on June 17, 1986. Taken #2 overall by the Boston Celtics, the 6' 8" Bias is pictured with his father gleaming with pride in a sharp white suit wearing a Celtics cap and holding a Celtics gym bag shorly after being selected. This joyous family moment, however, would soon turn to tragedy.

The next day, Bias and his father flew to Boston for a team draft acceptance and product endorsement signing ceremony with Celtics coaches and management. Bias had discussions with Reebok's sports marketing division regarding a five-year endorsement package worth $1.6 million. Upon returning home late that evening, Bias drove back to the U. of Maryland campus in College Park for one last hoorah with his college buddies. By 6:30 a.m. the next morning, Len Bias was pronounced dead at the age of 22 from a cocaine overdose, just two days after being drafted by the Celtics. It remains one of the worst tragedies in sports history. One of the most talented players in college basketball history, a two-time ACC Player of the Year, never got a chance to show what he could do at the next level.

This famous image was used by the Boston Herald in the newspaper's Friday, June 20, 1986 article about Bias' death. That article page is taped to the reverse side, folded up and revealing the lower half of this image with the caption below. The condition of this 8x10 original photo is essentially Mint, and it's the only known version that we are aware of. Comes encapsulated as Type I by PSA/DNA in a nice jumbo holder.