2011 University of Connecticut NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Ring - Salesman Sample
The 2011 UConn Huskies produced arguably the greatest postseason run in the history of college basketball. This is a genuine Jostens salesman sample of the ring awarded to commemorate that championship, crafted in Lustrium with cubic zirconia stones and identical in every detail to the rings presented to the players and coaches who made history that spring.
What is a salesman sample?
Salesman samples were produced by the ring manufacturer — in this case the legendary Jostens — on the exact same machines and dies used to make the player-issued originals. The construction, engravings, and metal work are completely identical. The only difference between this ring and the player issue is that cubic zirconia (CZ) stones replace the diamonds. These rings were never sold to the public; they were used exclusively by sales representatives to present ring designs to teams and organizations. That makes them exceptionally rare on the collectors market today.
What is Lustrium?
Lustrium is a proprietary white metal alloy developed and trademarked by Jostens — one of the most respected names in championship and scholastic ring manufacturing. Known for its bright silver finish, exceptional durability, and resistance to tarnishing, Lustrium has been used by Jostens for decades on championship rings across all major collegiate and professional sports. It is a premium material choice and a hallmark of authentic Jostens craftsmanship.
The 2011 Huskies didn't just win a national championship, they produced an 11-game winning streak to close the season that began with the most extraordinary conference tournament run in college basketball history. Seeded ninth in the Big East Tournament, UConn won five games in five days, the last four against ranked opponents, to claim the conference title. Kemba Walker scored 130 points in those five games, shattering the previous tournament scoring record by 46 points. It had never been done before and has never been replicated since.
They then carried that momentum into the NCAA Tournament, winning six straight games to cut down the nets in Houston. UConn defeated Butler 53–41 in the national championship game on April 4, 2011, blocking 10 shots, a championship game record, to hold Butler to the lowest shooting percentage in the history of the title game. The entire postseason run: 11 wins, 11 days, zero losses.
Crafted by Jostens in Lustrium with cubic zirconia stones, this ring is an exceptional piece of college basketball history — and a rare find for any serious memorabilia collector.
| Year | 2011 |
| Championship | NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship |
| School | University of Connecticut (UConn) |
| Material | Lustrium (Jostens proprietary white metal alloy) |
| Manufacturer | Jostens |
| Type | Salesman sample |
| Stones | Cubic zirconia (CZ) |
| Championship game result | UConn def. Butler, 53–41 |
2011 UConn Huskies — Quick Facts
- Entered the Big East Tournament as the #9 seed — the first team in history to win five games in five days to claim a conference championship, and the only team ever to do it in one of college basketball's most competitive conferences
- Kemba Walker scored 130 points in five Big East Tournament games — shattering the previous conference tournament scoring record by 46 points; his iconic buzzer-beating step-back against top-seeded Pittsburgh remains one of the most replayed moments in March Madness history
- Won 11 consecutive games to close the season — five in the Big East Tournament, six in the NCAA Tournament — without a single loss
- Blocked 10 shots in the national championship game against Butler — a record that still stands — holding the Bulldogs to 18.8% shooting, the lowest field goal percentage in the history of the NCAA title game
- Walker was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, averaging 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists throughout the season
- Head coach Jim Calhoun's third national championship at UConn (1999, 2004, 2011) — one of the most decorated coaches in college basketball history
- The 2011 title was UConn's third national championship; the program has since gone on to win six total (1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023, 2024), cementing the Huskies as one of college basketball's great dynasties