Why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is selling his NBA championship rings

One of the NBA’s greatest ever players is auctioning off a massive trove of personal memorabilia.

LA Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has put a massive list of personal items, including three of his Lakers championship rings, up for sale.

Abdul-Jabbar said his long-time study of history had led him to an epiphany – that his memorabilia was better off in someone else’s hands.

“My sports memorabilia also have a history. My history. My life,” he wrote on his website.

“And, oddly, since my life is still happening and ever-evolving, I am less personally attached to those items than I am to my desire to create new history for myself—and futures for others.

“Much of the proceeds from my auction will go to support my charity, the Skyhook Foundation, whose mission is to ‘give kids a shot that can’t be blocked’.

“So, when it comes to choosing between storing a championship ring or trophy in a room, or providing kids with an opportunity to change their lives, the choice is pretty simple. Sell it all.”

The marquee items in the 234-lot auction include Abdul-Jabbar’s 1980, ’85, ’88 and ’89 championship rings, all of which carry minimum bids of $60,000 US dollars.

The basketball used to score his last ever NBA points is also up for sale, as well as numerous All-Star rings, game-worn jerseys and other kit.

It’s not all hardcore basketball memorabilia – there are some esoteric items for the differently-minded collector.

Abdul-Jabbar’s snowboard has been listed for $500, as well as two Stetson cowboy hats.

For $300, you could get a signed key to the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, or for the same price, you could be the proud owner of his trophy from the quiz show ‘Jeopardy’.

The auction is scheduled to close on March 2.