Julius Erving | Who2

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Julius Erving is 76 years oldBorn: February 22, 1950 Birthplace: East Meadow, New York, United States Best known as: Hall of Fame basketball star Julius Erving Biography Basketball Player Name at birth: Julius Winfield Erving II

Julius Erving, known as “Dr. J,” was a basketball superstar in the ABA and NBA in the 1970s and 1980s. He helped bring the modern “above the rim” style of play to the NBA, with his soaring one-handed dunks a particular trademark.

Julius Erving grew up in Long Island and starred there at Roosevelt High School, where a friend gave him the nickname of “Doctor.”  He spent two years at the University of Massachusetts, where he averaged over 20 points and 20 rebounds per game.

Erving left college to play professionally in the now-defunct American Basketball Association, where he was one of the most gifted players and one of the biggest draws at the box office. Five years later, the upstart ABA merged with the NBA and Erving instantly became one of the biggest stars in that league as well.

Julius Erving played another eleven years for the Philadelphia 76ers, helping them to win a championship in 1983. He retired in 1987, having scored more than 30,000 points in his combined ABA and NBA careers.

Extra credit

Julius Erving is 6’7″ tall, according to the Basketball Hall of Fame… Dr. J eventually earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1986, in creative leadership and administration… Erving starred in the 1979 comedy The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh — with Jonathan Winters and Flip Wilson.

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Something in Common with Julius Erving

• Basketball Players born in New York (4)
• Athletes born in New York (20)
• Athletes born in the United States (179)
• Pisces Athletes (22)

Lists

• Black Athletes
• Black Basketball Players
• Black History Month Biographies
• Famous 'Doctors'

4 Good Links

• Academy of Achievement: Julius ErvingFine interview and a detailed biography
• Julius Erving HistoryHis stats and notes from the NBA's official site
• Timeline of Dr. J's Greatest MomentsBleacher Report has the biggies, from high school to the NBA
• Dr. J LinksAmazing list of links to Dr. J articles

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