Collection of Rare Sports Memorabilia from Basketball Legend George Mikan to Be Sold In Online Public Auction

West Hollywood, CA, June 17, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​For the first time, nearly twenty timeless sports collectibles from the Patricia L. Mikan estate will be going up for public auction on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 9am PST through Sunday, June 28, 2015 at 6pm PST. Held through Los Angeles based auction specialists, La Jolla Jewelry, and housed under stores.ebay.com/lajollajewelry, pieces from the collection will include a 2002 NBA Lakers World Championship Three Peat Ring Presented to George Mikan, and the exclusive and coveted NBA World Champions Lakers MPLS Diamond Ring David Stern, former NBA Commissioner, Presented to George Mikan circa 2001, 1955 Minneapolis Lakers Autographed Basketball, 1959 George Mikan Naismith Hall of Fame Certificate of Election Plaque among other exclusive memorabilia belonging to the legendary basketball player, George Mikan.

A four-time All-American at DePaul and a six-time professional champion, Mikan was such an unstoppable force-and a national sensation that he was widely dubbed “Mr. Basketball”. Invariably playing with thick, round spectacles, the 6 ft 10 in 245 pounds Mikan is seen as one of the pioneers of professional basketball. For his feats, Mikan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959, made the 25th and 35th NBA Anniversary Teams of 1970 and 1980, and was elected one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players ever in 1996. Since 2001, a statue of Mikan shooting his trademark hook shot graces the entrance of the Minnesota Timberwolves' Target Center. 

About George Mikan

George Lawrence Mikan, Jr. (June 18, 1924 – June 1, 2005), nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mikan had a successful player career, winning seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships, an All-Star MVP trophy, and three scoring titles. He was a member of the first four NBA All-Star games, and the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams. Mikan was so dominant that he caused several rule changes in the NBA, among them the goaltending rule, widening the foul lane—known as the "Mikan Rule"—and introducing the shot clock. After his playing career, Mikan became one of the founders of the American Basketball Association (ABA), serving as commissioner of the league, and was also vital for the forming of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

About La Jolla Jewelry

Top-Rated and Award-Winning Los Angeles based specialists, La Jolla Jewelry offers unparalleled service in auctions, sales, trades, consignment, collateral loans, as well as estate and jewelry evaluations. Since opening in 2000, La Jolla Jewelry has sold thousands of estate pieces, luxury designer watches, rare entertainment/sports memorabilia and other fine items and unique treasures both online and in their flagship store in West Hollywood.