10/17/2026
🏀55 years ago today on October 15, 1971, Julius Erving made his professional debut for the Virginia Squires of The ABA on the road against the Carolina Cougars at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Squires won 118-114 and Erving finished with 21 points. “Dr. J” quickly established himself as a force in the ABA and gained a reputation for performing spectacular dunks. Erving averaged 27.3 points and 15.7 rebounds per game as a rookie, was selected to the All-ABA Second Team, made the ABA All-Rookie Team, led the ABA in offensive rebounds, and finished second to Artis Gilmore for the ABA Rookie of the Year Award. Erving led the Squires into the Eastern Division Finals, where they lost to the Rick Barry-led New York Nets in seven games. In his second season with the Squires, Erving led the league in scoring averaging 31.9 points while pulling down 12.2 rebounds per game.🏀
