They only existed between 1944 and 1947, but the Chicago Gears were the Second City's first NBA basketball team... and the first for whom the great George Mikan ever played. This very, very scare example of a Gears player jacket features the wording: "American Gears Chicago" on the back in white script and the numeral "3" on the left sleeve. It was worn by Mikan's teammate Dick Triptow and is signed by him on the front. The maroon jacket shows nice use and a May & Halas Size 42 tag in the collar. The American gears upset three higher-raked teams en route to the 1947 NBL championship (the league was known as the National Basketball League at the time). Team owner Maurice White left the NBL to form his own league, the ambitious 24-team Professional Basketball League of America, but it failed to get off the ground, and the Gears - without Mikan - soon folded thereafter. We can't recall ever seeing any equipment or clothing from the Chicago Gears, so this one is a rare gem!