Bill Russell jersey fetches US$1.1 million at auction

LOS ANGELES, United State: A jersey worn by Boston Celtics great Bill Russell in the last game of his NBA career fetched US$1,116,250 in an auction of memorabilia collected by the basketball legend and civil rights icon, Hunt Auctions said Friday.

The Number 6 jersey was worn by Russell in game seven of the 1969 NBA Finals, the final game of his career.

The Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 108-106 on May 5, 1969 at The Forum in Los Angeles as Russell won the 11th and final NBA title of his career.

The jersey, which had been photo-matched to two images taken during the game and to a picture of Russell and coach Red Auerbach sitting in the Celtics’ locker room, drew heated bidding from both the United States and abroad, David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said.

Hunt called it an honour to present the auction, which culminated with a live auction at the Celtics’ TD Garden in Boston, and said Russell’s stature made it no surprise that it generated healthy prices.

Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal had been among those expressing interest in purchasing items.

“The record setting performance attained at the Bill Russell Collection live auction was astounding, yet not surprising,” Hunt said.

“To properly convey the significance of Bill Russell as an athlete, a champion of Civil Rights, and a towering figure in the history of American sports is impossible.”

Russell had said in a video statement announcing the auction that he would keep “a few pieces” of his extensive memorabilia collection for himself. Some of the proceeds of the sale went to MENTOR, an organisation that provides young people with support through mentoring.