(LOT 245)
1961 Fleer #3 Elgin Baylor PSA 8 NM-MT
BAYLOR ROOKIE!!! Elgin Baylor endured racism and segregation for virtually his entire basketball playing career, beginning as a teen playing hoops in his hometown of Washington, D.C. But Baylor overcame adversity to become one of the greatest players in NBA history. Undeterred by the limitations imposed on black players, Baylor earned All-Metro honors in 1954 with his all-black Springarn High School team–the first African-American to be named to the team–and was named the SSA's Livingstone Trophy winner as the best basketball player for 1954. Challenges continued in college with few universities recruiting the 6'5" forward, but playing at the College of Idaho and then Seattle University, Elgin continued to impress as the newly crowned All-American led the Seattle Chieftains to the NCAA championship game in 1958. He averaged 31.3 points and 19.5 rebounds per game, catching the eye of Minneapolis Lakers owner Bob Short.

With the #1 overall pick of the 1958 NBA draft, Baylor was taken by the Lakers in hopes of saving the franchise, which he promptly did. He was named the 1959 NBA Rookie of the Year and over the course of his 14 years in the NBA, he won 11 All-Star nods and ten All-NBA honors. He led the Lakers to eight championship games but was never able to get over the hump with a title. His nomination to the NBA 35th, 50th & 75th Anniversary All-Time Teams. Offered here is a spectacular 1961 Fleer #3 Elgin Baylor rookie card graded 8 NM-MT by PSA. This rookie issue of Baylor displays virtual perfect centering, eye-catching colors and super sharp corners and edges. Save for a miniscule print dot on his right cheek, we wonder if this might not deserve better. Could it be a 9?

MIN BID $4,000
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