Boston Celtics and NBA lose legend as Jo Jo White dies at 71

One of the NBA’s greatest teams has lost one of its greats.

Hall of Famer Jo Jo White who won two championship rings and was the NBA Finals MVP in 1976 as part of a 12-year career with the Celtics, Warriors and Kings has died after battling several health issues for years. He was 71.

“He was a champion and a gentleman; supremely talented and brilliant on the court, and endlessly gracious off of it,” the Boston Celtics said in a statement. “His contributions to the team’s championship legacy may have only been surpassed by the deep and lasting impact that he had in the community. The thoughts and sympathies of the entire Celtics organization are with the White family.”

George Mikan Rookie Card sets record, while four other items top $100,000 mark in SCP Auctions sale

A perfect copy of a basketball legend’s Rookie Card reached legendary status on Saturday night in a sale via SCP Auctions.

The card is a PSA 10 1948 Bowman George Mikan Rookie Card, which is the only perfect copy in existence. It set what is believed to be a new record for a single basketball card with its sale.

The price?

Auction Buzz: Jo Jo White sale via SCP includes Hall of Famer’s rings & plenty more basketball brilliance

Jo Jo White was a Kansas Jayhawk before he was a Boston Celtic and an NBA-championship winner inducted into the Hall of Fame. Since then, he’s also worked in the Celtics’ front office.

A 25-lot sale open now via SCP Auctions includes memorabilia from all those times, including his Converse College All-America honors, two replacement rings for his titles with the Boston Celtics (the originals were lost) and his honorary 2008 Celtics championship ring from when he worked for the team.