Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Milwaukee Bucks Signed Photo, Replica 1971 NBA Finals Ticket, and Game Worn Jersey Piece

Sotheby’s is proud to present this Kareem Abdul-Jabbar piece, featuring a signed photograph. The work also features a replica ticket from the 1971 NBA Finals, where the Bucks captured their first NBA title over the Baltimore Bullets. There is a small jersey piece from Abdul-Jabbar as well. This work is a limited edition, number 225 out of 300.  

A native of New York City, Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor) rose to national prominence at Power Memorial High School. During his high school years, his teams went 95-6 and won three consecutive New York City Catholic League championships. Alcindor was named a High School All-American all three years and ultimately received an offer to play for John Wooden at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). 

After becoming eligible for varsity as a sophomore, Alcindor led the Bruins to three successive NCAA titles in 1967-1969, during which time UCLA lost only two total games. In addition, he was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player on all three occasions. 

After being selected with the 1st overall pick in the 1969 NBA draft, Alcindor spent the first six seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. His dominance at the high school and collegiate levels immediately translated to the professional ranks. 

In his rookie season (1969-70), Abdul-Jabbar made an immediate impact, averaging 28.8 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, winning NBA Rookie of the Year, and leading the Bucks to a 29-win improvement from the previous season. The following year, Milwaukee acquired Oscar Robertson, forming one of the most lethal duos in league history. In the 1970-71 season, Abdul-Jabbar won his first MVP award, averaging 31.7 points, 16.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, while leading the Bucks to an NBA-best 66-16 record. That postseason, he dominated the playoffs, guiding Milwaukee to its first-ever NBA championship, where they swept the Baltimore Bullets (4-0) in the NBA Finals. He was named Finals MVP, marking the first of his six career championships.

Abdul-Jabbar continued his dominance in the following seasons, winning two more MVP awards (1972, 1974) while leading the league in scoring and rebounding multiple times. In 1974, he took the Bucks to another NBA Finals appearance, but they fell to the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought seven-game series. Despite his success, he requested a trade following the 1974-75 season, citing a desire to play in a larger market. The Bucks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975, ending his historic run in Milwaukee.

This lot is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the Milwaukee Bucks.