The late Wayman Tisdale’s 1984 Olympic Men’s Basketball gold medal and jersey will be up for sale in the Goldin Auctions 2018 Winter Auction. The medal represents the last men’s Olympic basketball gold medal won by an amateur team as the U.S. men won bronze in 1988, which lead to the formation of the Dream Team in 1992 and professional players representing the U.S. ever since.
The medal and other memorabilia from the versatile Tisdale’s careers as an athlete and musician will be offered beginning January 22.
“It is very rare when an Olympic gold medal and jersey becomes available at auction, especially from such an historic team as the 1984 U.S. men’s basketball team,” said Ken Goldin Founder of Goldin Auctions. “We are sure there will be a lot of excitement for these items.”
The 1984 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team was coached by the legendary Bobby Knight and featured Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, and Chris Mullin. They swept aside the competition in Los Angeles, finishing with an 8-0 record as they defeated Spain 96-65 to win the gold medal. Tisdale was a starter and the leading rebounder.
Embed from Getty Images
The medal, measuring 2 ½ inches in diameter, is etched with a high-relief of a Greek sporting scene on once side, and on the reverse, a high-relief depiction of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, as well as “XXIII Olympiad Los Angeles 1984”. Weighing approximately 143 grams, it is attached to a pink, light orange, and turquoise ribbon and housed in a blue presentation box. It comes with an LOA from Tisdale’s wife, Regina.
Tisdale was a transcendent star at Oklahoma winning three Big Eight Conference Player of the Year awards. He was the first college basketball player to be named a first-team All-American in his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons, averaging 25.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He was selected with the second overall pick of the 1985 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers, and he would go on to plays 12 seasons in the NBA, averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game After his retirement from basketball, he became an accomplished musician, releasing eight jazz albums as a skilled bassist. He died at age 44 in 2009 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Embed from Getty Images
Other Tisdale items that will be offered include one of his University of Oklahoma game jerseys, a painted basketball given to him in recognition of his record-breaking 61-point game for the Sooners in 1983; one of his 1980s game-used Pacers road jerseys; a 1994-95 game-used Phoenix Suns home jersey; various warmups and bags and several of his guitars.
For an auction catalog, visit GoldinAuctions.com. The company is also currently accepting consignments for its 2018 auctions including the upcoming Jackie Robinson Contract Auction.
Related Stories:
Goldin Auctions Hires New VP; Adds Consignment Director
Abdul-Jabbar Tells Stories of His Memorabilia as Auction Winds Down
2016 World Series “Last Out” Gloves Headline Goldin Sale
Goldin’s Spring Auction to Benefit 3 Charities
Notes: Record Price for Jordan Card; Ripken SUV Sold; New Kezar Book; NFL ‘Crucial Catch’ Auctions
100 Items from Sports Icons to Headline Goldin/Sotheby’s Auction
Goldin Sets Opening Day Auction Record; Plans Additional, Shorter Auctions
Goldin Auctions Adds Crypto as Payment Method
