When it comes to great moments in basketball, no one can deny the impact and significance of the Dream Team during the 1992 Olympics. Turns out, though, one epic piece of Team USA memorabilia owned by NBA legend Clyde Drexler from that year has been put up for sale, much to the surprise of many.
The Dream Team was the first American Olympic team to feature active professional players from the NBA. Formed in the wake of the U.S. team’s bronze medal finish in the 1988 Olympics, the Dream Team was assembled with the goal of reclaiming basketball’s gold medal.
The team was composed of some of the greatest NBA players at the time, including six-time champion Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, and Inside the NBA host Charles Barkley. The selection process involved a mix of established stars and younger talent, with Christian Laettner being the lone collegiate player added to the roster.
At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, the Dream Team dominated their opponents, winning each game by an average of 44 points and culminating in a gold medal victory against Croatia. The team’s collective talent, camaraderie, and impact on the sport have cemented its legacy as one of the greatest sports teams ever assembled.
The Dream Team’s success not only reclaimed basketball’s gold medal for the United States but also marked a pivotal moment in the globalization of the sport, as the participation of professional players transformed the international game.
NBA Legend Clyde Drexler’s Team USA 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Up for Auction By Goldin
Along with Jordan and the others, Drexler was also part of the iconic team that won the gold in 1992. His medal, however, has been up for auction, as seen in a listing posted on Goldin’s website.
“It is not dramatic to say this is the most important gold medal ever issued to a representative of the Stars and Stripes in the history of the Olympics. The “Dream Team” stands as the most important team ever assembled for the United States; They were rock stars. They were the gods of Mount Olympus. They were the greatest team assembled in any sport—EVER. Period, full stop.
This medal is the first and only of those awarded to that iconic team to come up for sale; Designed by sculptor Xavier Corberó, this medal is engraved with ” XXV OLIMPIADA BARCELONA 1992″ on the front which also features the image of the female goddess of “Victory” holding a palm leaf and hoisting a laurel wreath while seated next to the five interlocking gold ring Olympics logo perched on top of a coliseum ledge above more sheaves of leaves.
The Olympic rings logo and flying athlete are engraved on the reverse side. The medal features a red-green-black-yellow-blue ribbon. The medal displays light to moderate wear, including some tarnishing on the edges and back. This historic collectible comes with a Letter of Authenticity signed by Drexler,” the Goldin listing stated.
Drexler played a total of 15 years in the NBA with averages of 20.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. Apart from winning the gold, he is also a one-time champion, 10-time All-Star, and a Hall of Fame inductee.
At this point in time, no one has taken the $250,000 starting bid yet. Fortunately, there’s still around 25 days left for interested parties to add this to their respective collection.
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