“The guys we have on the team are talented and multi-dimensional. I think everybody on the court will make everybody better. I think we will have a lot of fun and bring home the gold.”
Even before they held one practice, Clyde Drexler knew. Once rules were changed and professional basketball players were allowed to compete in the 1992 Games, the basketball competition was over. 1992 US Olympic basketball team obliterated their competition and showed how far ahead of the world the country in a sport invented here.
Now, for the first time, an original gold medal awarded to a member of that legendary squad is going on the auction block.
It’s the one awarded to Drexler–a late addition to the ’92 team. Goldin will offer the medal in its next auction, set to open Monday night. The opening bid is $250,000 but is expected to go much higher.
Late last year, a duplicate gold medal consigned by fellow team member Karl Malone sold for over $74,000 but no team members are believed to have sold an original medal they were awarded 32 years ago.
Drexler, a member of the Portland Trailblazers in 1992, wasn’t among the first ten players picked in a nationally televised event but the USA Basketball selection committee eventually rounded out the roster by tabbing Drexler and a college player–Christian Laettner.
‘It was frustrating and pretty tiring,’ Drexler said at the time. ‘Everywhere I went people were asking about it. You can’t believe how relieved I am that this thing is over. This will certainly enhance my career. When you can play for your country, it is an honor.”
Drexler averaged 10.5 points, along with over 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals per game during the Olympics as the USA team outscored its opponents by nearly 44 points per game.
The medal comes with Drexler’s letter of authenticity vowing to never interfere in a current or future sale of the medal. The letter was signed in April of this year.
Laettner and Malone have each sold items from the 1992 Olympics over the last eight months with a Michael Jordan signed, game-worn jersey acquired by Malone bringing over $3 million.
Bidding for the Drexler medal runs through Aug. 17. It’ll be among several high-end items in the auction that are on display at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland. Others include Michael Jordan’s early 1980s application and acceptance letter to the University of North Carolina and a Kobe Bryant 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection NBA Logoman 1/1 card.
Related Stories:
Backboard, Rim, Net from ’92 Barcelona Games Up for Auction
Michael Jordan’s 1992 Reebok Olympic Warmup Jacket Up for Auction
Michael Jordan’s Famous 1992 Reebok Olympic Jacket Sells for $1.51 Million
Karl Malone’s Dream Team Collection Hits Auction Block
Michael Jordan Dream Team Jersey Sells for $3 Million
Karl Malone Selling Awards, Memorabilia at Auction
Magic Johnson Dream Team Gamer Expected to Bring Big Price
Dream Team Signed Shoes Headline Lelands Auction
