Displayed is the 1998 Bill Russell "Hall of Fame" Victor Award, presented at the Las Vegas Hilton. The '98 Victor Awards was the 32nd Annual event, and the televised show is a fundraiser for the City of Hope Medical Center and the Beckman Research Center. The "Hall of Fame" Victor Award refers to the Victor Awards' own Hall of Fame. Russell, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, was one of the greatest winners in basketball history. He was the center on the University of San Francisco's two NCAA Championship teams, in 1955 and 1956. After being drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1956 NBA Draft and traded to Boston, Russell postponed joining the NBA immediately in order to lead the U.S. '56 Summer Olympics Basketball Team to the Gold Medal. In his 13-year NBA career (1956-57 through 1968-69), all with Boston, Russell won 11 NBA Championships, the last two when he was the Celtics' player-coach. Russell was a brilliant defensive player and rebounder. Playing before blocked shots were an official NBA statistic, Russell was a prodigious shot-blocker who initiated the technique of blocking a shot straight up into the air and then grabbing the ball to give possession of the ball to his team. Russell was a tremendous rebounder, averaging an amazing 22.5 TRB. He was a 5-time NBA MVP, and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. The offered Victor Hall of Fame Award stands 15.75" tall, with a base diameter of 5". The award has a metal band encircling the base, which reads: "Hall of Fame, Bill Russell, In Recognition Of Your Monumental NBA Career, Sense Of Purpose, And Unparalleled Commitment To The Game Of Basketball. Victor Awards XXXII 1998, City Of Hope." The impressive figural is atop marble plinth. The lower arm of the figural has a repaired crack. The offered Award comes with the original 8.5x11", 68-page program, in nice condition. The award weighs 7 lbs., 7.75 ounces. The offering has a few small scratches and nicks, and aside from the aforementioned repaired lower arm, it is in overall nice condition.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: $33.13 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.