Former Chicago Bulls player Horace Grant’s championship rings from the team’s three-peat are up for auction, according to reports. The rings commemorating the Bulls titles from 1991, 1992, and 1993 could net up to $100,000 a piece. Why are the rings up for sale? Is everything all good with Grant?
Grant was a mainstay during those title runs playing a key role behind Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Grant’s rebounding, defense and interior scoring were crucial to the Bulls’ dominance.
The rings feature the power forward’s last name and the Bulls’ season record on one side and the world champion title year/postseason record on the other, according to Heritage Auctions.
The 1991 ring also has thirty genuine diamonds around the perimeter.
The right shank on the 1992 ring features the NBA logo and celebratory text: “World Champions 91-92, Back to Back.” Interior band is stamped “14K Jostens” on all the rings and measures to a size 12.
Grant’s 2001 championship ring he earned as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers is also available for purchase.
This doesn’t appear to be a case of Grant needing money as he was not the consignor of the rings to Heritage Auctions. Grant sold the rings years ago and donated the money to charity.
Grant was drafted by the Bulls in 1987 with the 10th overall pick after starring at Clemson University, where he was a consensus All-American and ACC player of the year. He became the first player in ACC history to lead the league in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage.
In addition to wining three titles with the Bulls, and one with the Lakers, he was a four-time All-Defensive team selection, and an All-Star with the Orlando Magic in 1994.
Grant’s time with the Bulls, while successful, wasn’t without its share of drama and turmoil. He and Jordan often beefed with each other behind the scenes and it is widely believed that Grant was a main source in Sam Smith’s “The Jordan Rules,” a behind-the-scenes look at Jordan’s ruthless competitiveness and some less-than-flattering details about relationships with teammates and coaches.
When ESPN’s “The Last Dance,” a documentary on the 1998 Bulls, was released in 2020 it seemed to reignite the feud between Jordan and Grant over the Smith book.
“Lie, lie, lie. … If MJ had a grudge with me, let’s settle this like men,” Grant said during the interview. “Let’s talk about it. Or we can settle it another way. But yet and still, he goes out and puts this lie out that I was the source behind [the book]. Sam and I have always been great friends. We’re still great friends. But the sanctity of that locker room, I would never put anything personal out there. The mere fact that Sam Smith was an investigative reporter. That he had to have two sources, two, to write a book, I guess. Why would MJ just point me out?
“It’s only a grudge, man. I’m telling you, it was only a grudge. And I think he proved that during this so-called documentary. When if you say something about him, he’s going to cut you off, he’s going to try to destroy your character.”
Grant’s twin brother Harvey also played in the NBA. Harvey played 11 seasons for the Washington Bullets/Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Three of Harvey’s sons, Horace’s nephews, play professional basketball, including Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, who is entering the last year of a three-year $60 million contract.
The Grants are a prolific basketball family.
