Autographed Basketball Buying Guide

By Sean J. O'Rourke

As an avid basketball and lifetime sports fan, there are few things more essential to my collection than autographed NBA basketballs. A sport I've always thought of as the stage for the most creative and original athletes, I've put together this list to help fellow basketball fans make significant additions to their memorabilia collections.

• Magic Johnson Autographed Basketball: I'll begin this list with my all-time favorite player: Earvin "Magic" Johnson. One of the game's all-time greatest innovators, it's said that from the time Johnson was very young he would dribble a basketball everywhere he went. Most memorable for his numerous duels with fellow NBA great and close friend Larry Bird, Johnson won an amazing five NBA Championships, three NBA Most Valuable Player awards and the NCAA Most Outstanding Player award when his Michigan State Spartans won the 1979 NCAA Championship. In what I consider to be a perfect cornerstone for the serious NBA collection, Johnson has hand-signed this official Spalding NBA basketball in distinct black ink. The Los Angeles Lakers point guard scored over 17,000 points and dished out over 10,000 assists during his unforgettable 12-year NBA playing career. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, this basketball will not descend in value. This autographed ball is officially licensed by the National Basketball Association and comes individually numbered with a tamper-proof hologram from Mounted Memories. I highly recommend adding this great NBA Basketball signed by Magic Johnson to your collection today!

• Michael Jordan Autographed Ball: What more can you say about Michael Jordan? The greatest player in the history of basketball, Jordan won six NBA Championships, five NBA Most Valuable Player awards and six NBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards. The most popular athlete in American sports history, Michael Jordan's unmatched athleticism and unrelenting work ethic made him the most dominant athlete to ever step onto the hardwood. The absolute, 100 percent must-have signature for the serious sports collector, look no further than this Wilson basketball hand-signed by "His Airness" himself. With an unmatched list of career achievements and worldwide popularity, there is no more sought-after and in-demand autograph than that of Michael Jordan. If you're looking to solidify your collection, consider picking up a piece signed by the greatest basketball player the world has ever seen: The one and only Michael Jordan. This item comes with an Upper Deck Authenticated Certificate of Authenticity and is the ultimate centerpiece for your sports collection!

• LeBron James Autographed Basketball: My first two selections have paid tribute to the past, now it's time to focus on the future. Jumping from high school straight into the pros, LeBron James was selected with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Making an immediate impact on the team, similar to that of Michael Jordan on the Bulls during the late 1980s, James has transformed the Cavs from bottom dwellers to perennial Eastern Conference powerhouses. James wrapped up his 2007-8 regular season campaign by joining some very exclusive company. Averaging over 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists per game, James joined Oscar Roberston and Michael Jordan as the only men to ever set such a high performance standard among professional basketball players. With NBA all-time greatness within his grasp, LeBron James continues to assert himself as the face of the next generation of basketball elite. A dynamite centerpiece for the serious NBA collector or one of “King James'” millions of fans around the world, “the Chosen One” has hand-signed this authentic Spalding NBA leather basketball in distinct black ink. Sure to be one of the most-popular athletes in sports history, it's never too soon to add James to your sports-influenced room at home. A perfect centerpiece for any-sized basketball collection, this true asset comes included with an Upper Deck Certificate of Authenticity.

• Julius Erving Autographed ABA Basketball: We’re going to turn the clock back for a moment and revisit the era of the one and only “Dr.J,” Julius Erving. Playing six seasons in the American Basketball Association, Erving's high-flying style and superhuman athleticism made him the face of the ABA before the league merged with the NBA in 1976. In his career in both the NBA and ABA, Julius Erving won three championships, four Most Valuable Player awards and became professional basketball's fifth-highest all-time scorer with over 30,000 career points! His tomahawk dunk, amongst the most-unforgettable signatures moves in all of sports, Julius Erving has hand-signed this very rare authentic American Basketball Association basketball. Winner of the ABA's final championship in 1976, Julius Erving is an absolute essential athlete to draft to your basketball collection. Included with an individually-numbered tamper-proof hologram that can be reviewed online from Mounted Memories, this Julius Erving autographed basketball is not only sweet, it's an asset.

• Larry Bird Autographed Basketball: The most successful franchise in professional basketball, the Boston Celtics have had more than their fair share of NBA greats don their green and white jerseys. Bill Russell, Kevin McHale, Bob Cousy, Tiny Archibald and more recently Kevin Garnett have all played for the team in the Old Towne.  None, however, have had the impact or the notoriety as NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird. Drafted in 1978, Bird would lead the Celtics to three NBA Championships during his 12-year playing career. A three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, Larry Bird has hand-signed this official Spalding NBA Basketball in silver ink. A 100 percent must-have for every rabid Boston sports fan, this basketball is not only eye-catching, it's extremely valuable and will only ascend in demand in the coming years. As basketball's popularity continues to spread overseas, it's never too early to invest in the most-accomplished franchise's greatest player: The Boston Celtics' Larry Bird.