The Treasures of March Madness: the Best Collectibles in NCAA Basketball
For many sports fans, collecting memorabilia is an exciting way to show their love and support for their favourite teams. For college basketball fans, there are many collectible items that have been around for years and remain incredibly valuable. Let’s take a look at some of the most sought-after college basketball collectibles in history.
Wilt Chamberlain's Uniform from His Final College Game
In 1956, Wilt Chamberlain played his final college basketball game before joining the Harlem Globetrotters. It was a legendary performance, with Chamberlain scoring fifty-two points and grabbing thirty-one rebounds against Kansas State. After the game, he gave away his uniform as a memento to a lucky fan. That fan eventually sold the uniform at auction in 2000—for an incredible $20,400! Today, it remains one of the most valuable pieces of college basketball memorabilia ever sold, and it has only gone up in value.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s UCLA Bruins Jerseys
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor) enjoyed his legendary career with the UCLA Bruins from 1967 to 1969. He led them to three consecutive NCAA Championships and solidified himself as one of the best players in college basketball history. In 2013, one of his Bruins jerseys was sold at auction for an eye-popping $264,000—making it one of the most expensive pieces of game-used college basketball memorabilia ever sold!
Carmelo Anthony's NCAA Championship Ring
Carmelo Anthony won an NCAA Championship with Syracuse in 2003 and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. In 2011, he decided to sell his championship ring at auction to benefit charity—and it fetched an impressive $22,500! This ring is highly sought after by collectors and Syracuse fans alike because it commemorates one of Carmelo Anthony's greatest accomplishments.
College basketball has produced some truly legendary players over the years—and their memorabilia has become increasingly valuable over time. Whether you're looking for a piece of Wilt Chamberlain history or a signed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar jersey, these items will surely add value to any collection! From championship rings to uniforms worn by Hall-of Fame players, these are some of the most valuable college basketball collectibles ever made.