The icon whose dominance literally changed the rules of basketball
returns to center court Friday to receive a stamping ovation when he becomes
the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) first player to be immortalized on
a U.S. postage stamp.
NBA players Julius Erving and Wali Jones will be among those
dedicating the Wilt Chamberlain Forever stamps Dec. 5 at halftime when the
Philadelphia 76ers host the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Starting at the 7 p.m.
tip-off and throughout the game, current and past NBA players will participate
in a “Twitter Huddle” --- an online chat using the hashtag #WiltStamp that will
include a trivia quiz.
A special dedication ceremony will take place at the Mass Mutual
Center during the University of Mass. vs. Florida Gulf Coast Game Dec. 7 in
Springfield, MA. Another ceremony will take place at 2 p.m., Dec. 10 at
Philadelphia’s Overbrook High School. Many of Chamberlain’s former teammates
are planning to attend.
Joining Erving and Jones at the dedication
ceremony will be Chamberlain’s sisters Barbara Lewis and Selina Gross; 76ers
Ambassador of Basketball World B. Free; Philadelphia Sports Hall of Famer and
sports radio personality Sonny Hill; and, 76ers Director of Statistical
Information Harvey Pollack, who holds the distinction as the only individual
working for the NBA since its inaugural 1946-47 season. Pollack also kept score
during Chamberlain’s 1962 record-breaking 100 point game. He also made the sign
Chamberlain held in the famous post-game photo.
The halftime ceremony will feature a special tribute video and stamp unveiling using the team’s state-of-the-art court projection system. Throughout the night, the Sixers will celebrate the life and legacy of the legendary Chamberlain with videos during breaks in play.
The halftime ceremony will feature a special tribute video and stamp unveiling using the team’s state-of-the-art court projection system. Throughout the night, the Sixers will celebrate the life and legacy of the legendary Chamberlain with videos during breaks in play.
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