It’s always fun when we can offer something that’s one-of-a-kind in our weekly auction and this item definitely fits the bill. We have up for bid one of the coolest NBA practice jerseys you can possibly imagine. It’s the shirt worn by Rudy LaRusso when he played for the San Francisco Warriors in the 1967-69 era; the final years of a great NBA career. The jersey has LaRusso’s number on the front, his name on the back (rare for a practice jersey) and still has the deep, rich colors and unique graphics that made Warriors uniforms and logos stand out. Not only does the jersey have a rare quality to it, it is associated with a star player. While his name may sometimes be forgotten when NBA greats of the 1960s are discussed, LaRusso was, without a doubt, one of the NBA’s stars of the decade. Drafted out of Dartmouth by Minneapolis in 1959, LaRusso went west with the Lakers before ending his career in the Bay Area, where he averaged more than 20 points a game during his last two seasons in the league. A five-time All-Star, LaRusso scored 50 points in a game in 1962 and led the Lakers to the NBA Finals three times in the early 1960s, teaming with Elgin Baylor to form a dynamite front court. He died in 2004. The jersey shows use, as you’d expect, but it remains in very solid condition and would look great on display. Game or practice-used items from past greats are extremely popular with basketball collectors as evidenced by recent auction prices. While we are always on the prowl for great vintage sports cards, Just Collect is ready to handle your memorabilia, too. We’ll be glad to consider purchasing or look at your high quality consignments any time.
