1972 Topps Basketball Julius Erving ROOKIE #195 PSA 9 MINT

More than 50 years ago, one of the most epic careers in sports history began with a flurry. Signed to a four-year contract by the Virginia Squires before finishing his college career at Massachusetts, Julius Erving enjoyed a highly successful rookie season in the ABA before 1972 brought a whirlwind of controversy. With the talented forward now eligible for the NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected him 12th overall, attempting to pair him with prime talents Oscar Roberston and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Prior to the draft, however, Erving had signed with the Atlanta Hawks, and because he was still under contract with the Squires, all three teams had a claim to his services. The Squires ultimately prevailed, though, with the franchise on shaky financial ground, they wound up selling Erving’s contract to the New York Nets. Dr. J became the face of the ABA, establishing himself as a high-flying sensation and winning two ABA Championships before the league merged with the NBA in 1976. The Nets prepared to carry their dominance into the newly formed league, but the New York Knicks forced the franchise to pay a $4.8 million fee for “invading” their territory. Having shelled out $3 million to join the NBA, the cash-strapped Nets instead offered Erving to New York as payment—and the Knicks declined. This step allowed the Philadelphia 76ers to swoop in, paying only $6 million to acquire one of the greatest players in basketball history. Despite these less-than-ideal beginnings, Dr. J became one of the NBA’s premier attractions, earning 11 All-Star appearances, seven All-NBA selections, and an NBA Championship over the course of his 11 seasons in the league. This 1972-73 Topps rookie features Erving during his ABA days with the Squires, when he averaged 27.3 PPG and made the All-ABA Second Team in his first season. This striking Mint PSA 9 presents a rare chance to own an early high-grade piece of one of basketball’s most legendary careers. Just one copy in the PSA registry has a higher grade than this one. The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 12/05/2025.

This item was flash inserted on Dec 4, 2025.