American · East Meadow, New York · Born 22 February 1950American basketball legend known as 'Dr. J', famous for his acrobatic dunks and aerial artistry that revolutionized the game in both ABA and NBA.
Julius Winfield Erving II was born in East Meadow, New York in 1950. Virginia Squires signed him from the University of Massachusetts in 1971. His combined ABA and NBA career produced 24.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He won two ABA championships (1974, 1976) with the New York Nets and one NBA championship (1983) with Philadelphia. He won three ABA MVP awards and one NBA MVP (1981). He was selected to 16 All-Star games — five ABA and eleven NBA. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. His 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest performance — specifically his free-throw-line dunk — is considered the defining moment in dunk competition history and the direct inspiration for the NBA's subsequent popularisation of aerial play. His combination of above-the-rim athleticism with balletic movement, passing ability and competitive intelligence created a template for athletic small forwards that every player since has been measured against. He was professional basketball's first true crossover cultural star.
Spectacular dunking ability and aerial artistry, nicknamed 'Dr. J'
His baseline move in the 1980 Finals — swooping under the basket and laying in from the wrong side — is considered the most creative individual play in NBA Finals history.
Did You Know?How They Played
High-flying forward with exceptional athleticism, creative finishing, and clutch scoring
Lasting Impact
Basketball icon who bridged ABA and NBA eras, revolutionized above-the-rim play
Career Honours
- ABA Champion 2x (1974,1976)
- ABA MVP 3x
- NBA Champion (1983)
- NBA MVP (1981)
- All-Star 16x
- Hall of Fame (1993)
- NBA 50th Anniversary Team
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Squires | 1971–1973 | 158 |
| New York Nets | 1973–1976 | 259 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1976–1987 | 836 |
American Athletes