Connie Hawkins' career holds as much mystique as that of any other NBA Hall of Famer. A man of remarkable talent, Hawkins was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1992, an acknowledgment that he had been unjustly denied the opportunity to show his talent in his most productive years and that most basketball fans had likewise been denied the opportunity to see the best that this innovative player had to offer. Most of what Connie Hawkins did was never caught on film. Accounts of his finest moments circulated by word of mouth. Praised by his contemporaries as perhaps the most talented forward ever to play the game, Hawkins initially toured the world with the Harlem Globetrotters. He later played for the Pittsburgh Rens of the ABL and was named the league's MVP. The founder of the ABL, Abe Saperstein, was the owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, who had competed for many decades against the New York Rens and eventually bought the rights to the Rens' name. Because of the Pittsburgh Renaissance renewal project, it was convenient to coin the "Rens" as an instantly-recognizable name for this new version of a basketball team. The ABL folded during its second season, and Hawkins returned to the Globetrotters for two years. He later joined the Pittsburgh Pipers in the inaugural 1967-68 season of the ABA, leading the team to the ABA championship. That year, Hawkins led the ABA in scoring and won both the ABA's regular-season and playoff MVP awards. Hawkins then played seven additional seasons in the NBA. He played in four NBA All-Star Games and was named to the All-NBA First Team in the 1969-70 season. In the back collar of this purple nylon jacket is the "Wilson" manufacturer's tag. Across the front of the jacket is "RENAISSANCE" in white tackle twill. On the left sleeve is the player number "42" in white tackle twill. On the back of the jacket is the player name "HAWKINS" in white tackle twill on a purple nameplate which is snapped onto the back of the jacket. There are seven purple snaps going down the front of this jacket. This jacket is properly tagged, was presented to us as player-worn and shows wear. The rarity of this piece is exceeded only by its beauty and significance. Accompanied by a MEARS LOA.