The Julius Erving Award

Julius Erving could jump, run, shoot, score, dunk, play defense, rebound, and fill arena seats everywhere he played. He attended the University of Massachusetts and averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, making him one of only six NCAA men’s basketball players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game. After two seasons, Erving made the jump to the American Basketball Association and was the league’s most recognizable player when it merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976.

"Dr. J's" game of in-your-face hoops appealed to everyone and he made the game cool to play and to watch. During his sixteen scintillating seasons in both the ABA and NBA, Erving redefined the forward position. Flamboyant and artistic -- opponents knew where Dr. J was zooming, but few could stop his offensive assault. Playing above the rim, Erving popularized being airborne. His style and grace both on and off the court led many to call him an American treasure. A two-time ABA MVP, Erving led the New York Nets to two ABA championships. In 1976, Erving moved to the NBA and became a Philadelphia 76er. In 1983, he led the 76ers to the NBA championship. His unique athleticism coupled with his star power made Dr. J a household name worldwide.

Past Winners
2024 Top Five Finalists



Player Name School
Photo of Keion Brooks Jr. Keion Brooks Jr. Washington
Photo of David Jones David Jones Memphis
Photo of Dillon Jones Dillon Jones Weber State
Photo of Dalton Knecht Dalton Knecht Tennessee
Photo of Baylor Scheierman Baylor Scheierman Creighton

Erving's Career Highlights

College
  • University of Massachusetts (1969-71)
College Playing Highlights
  • Recorded 51 double-doubles in 52 career contests
  • Left school as all-time leader in points and rebounds (26.3 ppg / 20.2 rpg)
  • Had two games with 30 or more rebounds
  • Led UMass to two Yankee Conference titles and the school's first two NIT appearances
  • Inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980
Pro
  • Virginia Squires (1971-73)
  • New York Nets (1973-76)
  • Philadelphia 76ers (1976-87)
Pro Playing Highlights
  • ABA Champion, 1974, 1976
  • ABA MVP, 1974 - 1976 (Co-MVP in 1975)
  • ABA All-Star First Team, 1973-76
  • NBA Champion, 1983
  • NBA MVP, 1981
  • All-NBA First Team, 1978,1980-83
  • 11-time All-Star, 1977-87
  • All-Star MVP, 1977, 1983
  • J. Walter Kennedy Citezenship Award, 1983
  • One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, 1996

Past Winners

Year Player Name School
2023 Jalen Wilson Kansas
2022 Wendell Moore Jr. Duke University
2021 Corey Kispert Gonzaga University
2020 Saddiq Bey Villanova University
2019 Rui Hachimura Gonzaga University
2018 Mikal Bridges Villanova University
2017 Josh Hart Villanova University
2016 Denzel Valentine Michigan State University
2015 Stanley Johnson University of Arizona