Spencer Haywood is a Hall of Fame center and a member of the ABA All-Time Team. He was a star player in college and during the 1968 Olympics he led the Team USA to the gold medal. After his sophomore season, he decided to turn pro. However, because of the NBA’s rule that players must wait four years after high school before entering the league, he joined the ABA. In his first season, he lead the ABA in scoring with 30 points per game. In 1970, despite the NBA’s eligibility rules, Spencer Haywood joined the Seattle SuperSonics. The team’s owner Sam Schulman immediately launched an anti-trust suit against the league, Haywood v. National Basketball Association, which went all the way to the US Supreme Court before the NBA agreed to a settlement.
Below is a look at some of Spencer Haywood’s career accomplishments and highlights.
- 5x All-Star
- 4x All-NBA
- 1x NBA Champion
- 1x MVP
- Rookie of the Year 1969-70
Spencer Haywood’s rookie card is in the 1971 Topps set. I purchased a raw card on eBay and sent it into a paid signing. The card looks stunning with multiple inscriptions.
Currently there are only 13 autographed 1971 Topps Spencer Haywood rookie cards in the PSA registry.
Total Investment: $80
Estimated Value: $150 (sold)
Return on Investment: 88%