A Historic Jersey from the First National Showcase of the Greatest Prospect in Basketball History!Living up to the hype of a Top Prospect in professional sports is no easy task. Most are either over-hyped and under-deliver, or are under-hyped and over-deliver. Michael Jordan was a great player coming out of college, but no one expected him to become the greatest of all-time. Tom Brady was passed up multiple times by every NFL team before the Patriots took a chance at a lanky kid from Michigan. They hardly knew what he would become--or he would have been picked much, much sooner than #199!
Rarely in sports does the reality live up to the hype--that was until Shaquille O'Neal came on the scene. Those who are old enough remember that before we had the Zion craze, or the LeBron craze, there was Shaq. The sports world was salivating at the arrival of the towering monster from LSU. He simply dominated on every level, including high school and college. But would he excel playing against the fellow titans of the sport? Amazingly, the answer was yes--an emphatic YES. 4 NBA Championships. 3 Finals MVPs. Rookie of the Year. The accolades are well known and virtually endless. Shaq isn't just a basketball player--he's a global phenom.
Long before the Big Aristotle (as he was known in his Laker days) was known by every person in the modern world, Shaq was a mountain of a young man coming out of Cole high school in Texas. His first opportunity to shine on the national stage was at the nationally-televised 1989 McDonald's All-American Game. Only the best of the best in the whole country play at that game, and typically the kids that do well in that game can set a trajectory for professional success.
Fresh to the hobby and direct from the legend himself, Iconic Auctions is proud to offer Shaq's jersey that he wore during his appearance in the aforementioned game. While wearing this very jersey, Shaq made a statement to the world that he was a force to be reckoned with. In limited minutes due to the showcase nature of the game, Shaq put up eye-popping numbers, leading all players in three major categories including points (18), rebounds (16) and blocks (6) while emphatically winning the award as the game's MVP (which was shared with Bobby Hurley, as customary both teams have an elected MVP, though Shaq was clearly the MVP of the entire game). This game set the stage for what would become a fairytale story of a legendary career.
Manufactured by Champion, this size XXL jersey showcases a "3 extra length" tag to accommodate for Shaq's hulking frame. All names and numbers are applied on and wear to the jersey is consistent with single game usage. Hanging in Shaq's home for decades prior, there is a variety of brown staining that is a result of being displayed and framed.
While coming direct from Shaq is a clear indicator of it's origins, the jersey has been analyzed by the experts at Sports Investors Authentication (SIA), who have conclusively photomatched the jersey to the game. SIA's detailed Letter of Authenticity and photomatch analysis are included. Last but certainly not least, a signed letter from Shaq himself accompanied the jersey to confirm it's origins.
Mindful of his potential success, virtually all of Shaq's significant jerseys and relics from his career were kept in his personal possession, and this jersey represents arguably the finest Shaq game worn article to ever surface in the market. A true rock-solid, investment-grade relic from the most dominant player to ever step on an NBA floor. Don't miss this opportunity to own a verified piece of greatness.