1969 Topps Basketball Wes Unseld ROOKIE #56 PSA 10 GEM MINT

When the Baltimore Bullets selected Wes Unseld as the second overall selection in the 1968 NBA Draft, team executives knew they had secured a strong rebounder who would likely help the team rise from the bottom of the Eastern Division standings. What they could not expect was that Unseld would replicate a feat previously only accomplished by Wilt Chamberlain—winning Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors in the same season. “When he goes to the basket, he gets there—it’s that simple,” said teammate Kevin Loughery. “He’s almost impossible to stop, and because he’s so strong, he doesn’t lose control of the ball.” Unseld recorded at least 10.0 rebounds per game in 12 of his 13 seasons and appeared in the playoffs in all but his final year—including a championship in 1978. Using what NBA.com described as “relentless rebounding, bone-jarring picks, and laser-beam outlet passes,” Unseld built a Hall of Fame reputation during the most successful era of Bullets basketball, playing the game hard and never drawing attention to himself. And opposing centers came to fear the quiet stability he brought to the paint. “You always wanted to make sure you got a good night’s sleep before you played against him,” said Knicks rival Willis Reed. In 1969, Topps returned to the basketball card industry after a 12-year layoff, printing its first set since 1957 and the first mainstream basketball set since 1961. The production gap left the 99-card checklist littered with rookie cards of many veterans, as well as several newcomers like Unseld—who sports his trademark afro and steady focus. Collectors will likely look for a good night’s sleep on the eve of the extended bidding session for the only PSA 10 example of Unseld’s 1969 Topps rookie card, as many vintage basketball collectors will likely bring a relentless approach to winning it during this month’s Vintage Premier Auction.