Isiah Thomas is getting his 1984 NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy back, two days after reporting it stolen.
On Monday, the Detroit Pistons legend tweeted that his trophy had been taken after noticing that it was listed for auction. The Hall of Famer claimed that the said trophy was nabbed from his alma mater — St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois — the same day his former high school coach passed away on June 26, 2019.
Thomas had lent the trophy to the school to display, among other memorabilia and awards from his illustrious NBA career.
The Detroit Pistons legend publicly asked for the return of the trophy after seeing it listed on the website of Heritage Auction house, cosigned by a Midwest memorabilia dealer. Heritage quickly replied to Thomas on Twitter to announce an investigation.
After reaching out to Thomas, the school cooperated with local law enforcement and verified that the item was in fact stolen property. The auction house immediately removed it from the site, per ESPN.
Heritage goes to every length to ensure the authenticity and provenance of the items that are consigned to us. We take the concerns and allegations of Mr. Thomas very seriously. We will investigate them as expeditiously as possible.
— Heritage Auctions Sports (@Heritage_Sport) August 11, 2020
Other items were stolen as well, including Thomas' Hall of Fame plaque. For now at least, Thomas can take comfort in knowing that his NBA All-Star MVP trophy is safe and sound.
“For me and my family, the silver lining in all of this is that it showed up at your house [Heritage Auctions],” Isiah Thomas said. “We never would have known, so we are grateful and I am thankful that the item was found and will be returned.”
Thomas put up 21 points, five rebounds, 15 assists and four steals in the East's 154-145 overtime win in the 1984 NBA All-Star Game. He also won the game's MVP award in 1986.
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