Julius Erving | Biography, Stats, & Facts - Encyclopedia Britannica

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• Fresh Air Archive - Dr. J on Playing Ball with the Big Boys
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• The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Julius W. Erving
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• ESPN Classic - Dr. J operated above the rest
• CBC Radio - Best of Q: NBA great Julius 'Dr. J' Erving on his off-court legacy

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Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Doctor J, Dr. J, Julius Winfield Erving II Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Nov. 21, 2025 •History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot

Julius Erving (born February 22, 1950, Roosevelt, New York, U.S.) is an American collegiate and professional basketball player who was one of the most colourful and exciting figures in the game during the 1970s and ’80s. At 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 metres), Erving played forward and was noted for his fast breaks, balletic leaps toward the basket, and climactic slam dunks.

While playing in high school, Erving won an athletic scholarship to the University of Massachusetts. In two seasons there he became one of only five players ever to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game in a collegiate career. He was still generally unknown, however, when he left Massachusetts after his junior year and joined the Virginia Squires of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1971. He was traded to the New York Nets two years later. In his five seasons in the ABA, Erving led the league in scoring three times, was the league’s Most Valuable Player in its last three years, and led the Nets to championships in 1974 and 1976.

Quick Facts In full: Julius Winfield Erving II (Show more) Byname: Doctor J (Show more) Born: February 22, 1950, Roosevelt, New York, U.S. (age 75) (Show more) Awards And Honors: Most Valuable Player National Basketball Association Championship Basketball Hall of Fame (1993) (Show more) See all related content

When the ABA merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Nets sold Erving’s contract to the Philadelphia 76ers. Erving led the 76ers to the NBA finals four times in seven years, including their 1983 championship win. He was voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1981. He retired in 1987 after having become the third professional player to have scored a career total of 30,000 points. After his playing career ended, Erving spent time as a television basketball analyst (1993–97) and served in the front office of the Orlando Magic (1997–2003). In 1996 Erving was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, and he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

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