IP-Chicago and burbs:arfmax:2023

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New year, hope there are even more opportunities for IP autographs for myself and everyone else who collects.

On Friday, I went to the G-League game between the Windy City Bulls and the Lakeland Magic. Prior to the game, I was able to get 2 cards signed by former Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Joel Ayayi, and 3 cards signed by former Orlando Magic player, and now assistant coach Johnny Taylor. After the game, I was able to get 2 cards signed by 2020 first round pick of the Orlando Magic, RJ Hampton. I was trying to get Admiral Schofield, but even though he is on the current Lakeland roster, he seems to be currently playing in the NBA with Orlando, so he wasn't present.

Photo of the Lakeland Magic cards:



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Total IP autos in 2023: 7

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Last Saturday, I went to the G-League game between the Windy City Bulls and the Lakeland Magic. I had gone the night before and gotten all of the Lakeland Magic cards I was going to get done, after the game, the full Windy City Bulls team was on the court signing autographs, so I got my one Marko Simonovic card signed.
Photo of the Simonovic auto:



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Total IP autos in 2023: 8

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Last night, I went to the G League game between the Windy City Bulls and the Cleveland Charge in Hoffman Estates, IL. Prior to the game, I was able to get one card signed by 2021 2nd Round Draft Pick Sharife Cooper. After the game, I was able to get two cards signed by former Milwaukee Bucks player Sam Merrill. Finally, I was able to get two cards signed by former NBA star Kendall Gill, who was announcing the game. I was hoping to get autographs from assistant coach Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but apparently, as a part of the NBA Assistant Coaches Program, he doesn't travel with the team, as I did not see him among the Charge coaches.

Photo of the autos:


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Total IP autos in 2023: 13

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Two Saturday's ago, I went to the 5th occurrence of a new card show, which had 1 paid autograph guest (Steve Larmer), and 1 autograph guest who was $20, but you got a show credit of the same amount, along with free admission and free parking in Rosemont, IL. I was able to get 1 card signed from former Chicago Blackhawk Andrew Shaw.

Photo of the Andrew Shaw auto:



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Total IP autos in 2023: 14

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Sunday, I went to the G League game between the Windy City Bulls and the Westchester Knicks. This was the 2nd time in two weeks that they played in Hoffman Estates, IL, but the first time, the head coach was coaching a team in a tournament in Africa, and he was the main guy I wanted. So, the tournament ended, and he is back with the Knicks. Prior to the game, I was able to get 4 cards signed by the head coach, former Mavs/Cavs/Bobcats center DeSagana Diop. Also prior to the game, got 1 card by former Utah Jazz guard Justin Wright-Foreman. At halftime, I was able to get two cards signed by New York Knicks 2nd round pick out of Duke, guard Trevor Keels, and finally, I got two cards signed by 2018 2nd round pick of the Orlando Magic, guard Melvin Frazier, who was injured and did not play, but was with the team on the bench.

Photo of the Westchester Knicks autos:


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Total IP autos in 2023: 23

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Yesterday I went to an electronics store that was hosting a watch company sponsored appearance by former Chicago Bulls center and member of the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, Artis Gilmore. Originally they said he wouldn't have time to sign any outside items, but the line was much shorter than expected, and I was able to go through the line twice with the hosts permission and get two cards signed from the A-Train, for free.

Photo of the Artis Gilmore autos:



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Total IP autos in 2023: 25

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Sunday, I went to the G League game between the Windy City Bulls and the Maine Celtics. Prior to the game, I was able to get two cards signed by former Chicago Bulls player Denzel Valentine, who currently is on the Maine Celtics roster. I tried to get former Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks guard Tony Snell, but he wouldn't even look up. Weird, as I got him a few times when he was with the Bulls and with the Bucks, and he was very friendly. Anyway, after the game, I was able to get 4 cards signed by former San Antonio Spurs 1st round draft pick Luka Samanic, and I was able to get 4 cards signed from former Brooklyn Nets first round draft pick Mfiondu Kabengele. The funny thing is, there is no way to recognize a single letter in any of the 10 cards signed. Going to one more home game for Windy City against the College Park Skyhawks, hoping to get a bunch from both sides.

Photo of the autos:


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Total IP autos in 2023: 35