Fall Premier Auction 2019
Wed, Nov 27, 2019 09:00PM EST - Sun, Dec 15, 2019 08:34AM EST
Timed Auction
Lot 319
LENNY WILKENS' 1959 N.I.T. CUFFLINKS AND TIE CLIP SET - SEMIFINALIST PROVIDENCE COLLEGE FRIARS (WILKENS LOA)
Unsold
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
They say point guards make great coaches, and Lenny Wilkens was a prime example. The New York native molded his cerebral skill set on the Brooklyn playgrounds before becoming an All-American at Providence College and an early first round draft pick by the St. Louis Hawks in 1960. The 9-time All-Star finished 2nd to Wilt Chamberlain in the 1968 MVP voting and later became a player-coach in Seattle before transitioning full-time to the sidelines. Wilkens would guide the SuperSonics to back-to-back Finals appearances, including the franchise’s only NBA title in 1979. From 1969 to 2005, he coached an NBA-record 2,487 games (plus four All-Star Games) with six teams – the Blazers, Sonics, Cavs, Hawks, Raptors and Knicks, in that order – and sits second all-time in wins with 1,332 (just three behind Don Nelson). He was voted to the NBA’s Top 10 Coaches in History list in 1996, but only Wilkens was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame three separate times: as a player, coach, and member of the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team.”
For his 1958-59 junior season, Lenny earned the first of his two NCAA All-America selections while leading Providence to a 20-7 record and the Semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament. From 1938 until the 1960s, the N.I.T. was college basketball's preeminent postseason tournament from which the National Champion was recognized. The 1959 N.I.T. involved 12 teams, whereas the '59 "NCAA University Division Basketball Tournament" invited 23 teams to compete. The Friars, led by their star point guard Wilkens' 15.7 points and 7 rebounds per game (assists not yet tracked), would fall to eventual champion St. Johns in the N.I.T. semis played at Madison Square Garden. Interestingly enough, the head coach of the Red Storm was none other than Joe Lapchick of the New York's famed "Original Celtics" (see Lot 5).
Offered here is Wilkens' personally issued 1959 N.I.T. cufflinks and tie clip set. The design of each circular, black enameled face (23 mm) incorporates "N.I.T." and "1959" in 12-karat gold-filled letters and numbers, with the Providence College Seal ("Sigillum Collegii Providentiensis") in between. Lenny's intials "L.R.W." are engraved on the reverse of each piece. Each cufflink is hallmarked "1/20 12KT G.F." along its post; the tie bar (2" long) is stamped "GOLD FILLED" on the back. The set presents in NM condition and comes with its original black case. Includes LOA from Wilkens.
Payment for your invoice must clear in full prior to shipping. All items will be shipped from SCP Auctions’ Laguna Niguel, CA office in the order that payments are received. Please allow up to three business days following clearance of payment for items to ship. All items will be shipped UPS/FedEx Ground unless you contact us to discuss an alternative shipping method. If you would like your items shipped in a different method, such as UPS/FedEx Next Day or UPSFedEx 2-Day, you must contact our Post Sale Services Manager Veronica Rodriguez by emailing customerservice@scpauctions.com to discuss alternative shipping instructions. Prior to bidding, please be aware of estimated shipping costs, especially for large or heavy lots. You may contact SCP Auctions for any shipping estimates lots you are bidding on or interested in bidding on. If you intend to pick up your items in person at the SCP Auctions office, please call us to schedule. Payment must clear prior to items being available for pick-up.
