List of American Basketball Association awards and honors
Encyclopedia
The American Basketball Association
(ABA) was a professional basketball
league that operated from the until it ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976. The ABA presented a variety of annual awards and honors to recognize its players and executives.
There were six awards presented by the ABA. Three Most Valuable Player
(MVP) awards were presented annually in the All-Star Game, the regular season, and the playoffs. In sport
s, the player judged to be the most important to the team is the Most Valuable Player
(MVP). Other annual awards include the Executive of the Year, the Coach of the Year, and the Rookie of the Year. Honors were also presented to players who excelled in the respective categories of: best players, best defensive players, and best rookies. The Executive of the Year Award and the All-Defensive Team started in the , while the rest started in the first season. Julius Erving
has won the most ABA awards with five MVP awards—three in the regular season and two in the playoffs. Artis Gilmore
has won the most ABA honors with nine. A total of 80 ABA players and executives have received at least one award or honor.
(ABA) Finals were the championship series of the ABA, a professional basketball league, in which two teams played each other for the title. The ABA
was formed in the fall of 1967, and the first ABA Finals were played at the end of the league's first season in the spring of 1968. The league ceased operations in 1976 with the ABA–NBA merger and four teams from the ABA continued play in the National Basketball Association
.
All ABA Finals were in best-of-seven format and were contested between the winners of the Eastern Division and the Western Division finals. The only teams to win the championship more than once were the Indiana Pacers
and the New York Nets. The Indiana Pacers initially played in the ABA Finals in 1969, which they lost to the Oakland Oaks
, but they won the championship the next year against the Los Angeles Stars. They won in the ABA Finals again in 1972, their first after moving to the Western Division, against the New York Nets and won their final ABA championship against the Kentucky Colonels
in 1973. The New York Nets won their first championship in 1974 against the Utah Stars
, and their second against the Denver Nuggets
in 1976.
The last ABA Finals were in 1976, after which the ABA–NBA merger took place; three of the four teams that continued into the NBA made it to or won the ABA Finals.
. Hall of Famer Julius Erving
won the award three times, all with the New York Nets. Mel Daniels
won it twice with the Indiana Pacers
. Erving and George McGinnis
were joint winners in the . Seven of the award winners were capable of playing forward, while six were capable of playing center
. Two rookies have won the award: Spencer Haywood
in the and Artis Gilmore
in the .
(s) of the regular season. The inaugural award winner was Mel Daniels
, who also won two MVP awards during his ABA career. Two of the Rookie of the Year winners have won the MVP award in the same season: Spencer Haywood
in the and Artis Gilmore
in the . Two Rookie of the Year winners have been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Rookie of the Year Dan Issel
and Rookie of the Year David Thompson
. Issel and Charlie Scott
were joint winners in the .
of the regular season. The inaugural award winner was Vince Cazzetta
, who coached the Pittsburgh Pipers to an ABA championship. Oakland Oaks
coach Alex Hannum
won the award the season after, and also coached his team to an ABA championship. Larry Brown
won the award three times, and is the only coach to have won the award multiple times. Two seasons had joint winners—Joe Belmont
and Bill Sharman
in the as well as Joe Mullaney and Babe McCarthy
in the . Hannum, Sharman and Brown are the only recipients to have been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Every head coach won the award without a losing record.
, and was retired as part of the ABA–NBA merger. The inaugural award winner was Pittsburgh Pipers' player Connie Hawkins
. On all occasions, the player who wins the Playoffs MVP award was from the team that won the ABA championship. Julius Erving
, who led the New York Nets to two ABA championships in 1974
and 1976
, is the only player to win the award twice.
, and was retired as part of the ABA—NBA merger. The first recipient of the award was Larry Brown
, who scored 17 points in a losing cause. Brown and 1971
winner Mel Daniels
are the only players to win the award while being on the losing team in the All-Star Game. Three rookies have won the award: Brown, Spencer Haywood
in the 1970 All-Star Game
and David Thompson
in the 1976 All-Star Game
. From 1968 to 1975
, the game has matched the best players in the Eastern Division with the best players in the Western Division. The West has won five All-Star Game MVP awards, while the East won three. In the 1976 All-Star Game
, the teams were the Denver Nuggets
and the All-Stars. Denver won that All-Star Game, with Thompson as MVP.
Denotes the year in which joint winners were named for the respective award
. The All-ABA Team was composed of two five-man lineups—a first and second team, each typically consisting of two forwards, one center
, and two guards. A tie has occurred only once in the when Zelmo Beaty
and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dan Issel
both were selected to the center position.
Mel Daniels
, Issel, Artis Gilmore
and Julius Erving
all tie for the record for the most total selections with five. Rick Barry
, Donnie Freeman
, Mack Calvin
and Louie Dampier
each have four total selections, while Larry Jones
, Roger Brown, George McGinnis
and Ralph Simpson
follow with three total selections. Gilmore has the most All-ABA first team selections with five, while Daniels, Barry and Erving are all tied for second-most with four. A total of nine players were selected during their respective rookie
years: Daniels, Spencer Haywood
, Scott, Issel, Erving, Gilmore, Swen Nater
, Marvin Barnes
, and David Thompson
.
. Artis Gilmore
holds the record for the most selections with four, while Mike Gale
, Julius Keye
, Fatty Taylor, Willie Wise
, Don Buse
, Bobby Jones and Brian Taylor
follow with two selections. Bobby Jones was the only player to be selected during his rookie
year.
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
(ABA) was a professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
league that operated from the until it ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976. The ABA presented a variety of annual awards and honors to recognize its players and executives.
There were six awards presented by the ABA. Three Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
(MVP) awards were presented annually in the All-Star Game, the regular season, and the playoffs. In sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
s, the player judged to be the most important to the team is the Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
(MVP). Other annual awards include the Executive of the Year, the Coach of the Year, and the Rookie of the Year. Honors were also presented to players who excelled in the respective categories of: best players, best defensive players, and best rookies. The Executive of the Year Award and the All-Defensive Team started in the , while the rest started in the first season. Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
has won the most ABA awards with five MVP awards—three in the regular season and two in the playoffs. Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
has won the most ABA honors with nine. A total of 80 ABA players and executives have received at least one award or honor.
ABA championship
The American Basketball AssociationAmerican Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
(ABA) Finals were the championship series of the ABA, a professional basketball league, in which two teams played each other for the title. The ABA
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
was formed in the fall of 1967, and the first ABA Finals were played at the end of the league's first season in the spring of 1968. The league ceased operations in 1976 with the ABA–NBA merger and four teams from the ABA continued play in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
All ABA Finals were in best-of-seven format and were contested between the winners of the Eastern Division and the Western Division finals. The only teams to win the championship more than once were the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
and the New York Nets. The Indiana Pacers initially played in the ABA Finals in 1969, which they lost to the Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (ABA)
The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the original American Basketball Association. Formed in February 1967 as the Oakland Americans, the team changed its name to the Oaks prior to play that fall. Playing in the ABA during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons, the team colors were green and gold.The...
, but they won the championship the next year against the Los Angeles Stars. They won in the ABA Finals again in 1972, their first after moving to the Western Division, against the New York Nets and won their final ABA championship against the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
in 1973. The New York Nets won their first championship in 1974 against the Utah Stars
Utah Stars
The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:...
, and their second against the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in 1976.
The last ABA Finals were in 1976, after which the ABA–NBA merger took place; three of the four teams that continued into the NBA made it to or won the ABA Finals.
Awards
| * | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player has received the respective award |
Most Valuable Player
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) was an annual award first awarded in the . Every player who has won the award has played for a team with at least 45 regular-season wins. The inaugural award winner was Hall of Famer Connie HawkinsConnie Hawkins
Cornelius L. Hawkins is a former National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association player, Harlem Globetrotter and New York City playground legend...
. Hall of Famer Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
won the award three times, all with the New York Nets. Mel Daniels
Mel Daniels
Melvin Joe Daniels is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6' 9" center, he played for the University of New Mexico Lobo men's basketball team from 1964-67...
won it twice with the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. Erving and George McGinnis
George McGinnis
George F. McGinnis is a retired American professional basketball player, most notably with the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association . He was drafted into the ABA from Indiana University in 1971...
were joint winners in the . Seven of the award winners were capable of playing forward, while six were capable of playing center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
. Two rookies have won the award: Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood is a retired American professional basketball player.- High school :In 1964, Haywood moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Pershing High School...
in the and Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
in the .
| Season | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| * | Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Pittsburgh Pipers | |
| Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
||
| Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Denver Rockets | ||
| (2) | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
|
| * | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did... |
|
| * | Guard/Forward | Carolina Cougars Carolina Cougars Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful... |
|
| * | Forward | New York Nets | |
| * (2) | Forward | New York Nets | |
| Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
||
| * (3) | Forward | New York Nets | |
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year Award was an annual award first awarded in the , to the top rookieRookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
(s) of the regular season. The inaugural award winner was Mel Daniels
Mel Daniels
Melvin Joe Daniels is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6' 9" center, he played for the University of New Mexico Lobo men's basketball team from 1964-67...
, who also won two MVP awards during his ABA career. Two of the Rookie of the Year winners have won the MVP award in the same season: Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood is a retired American professional basketball player.- High school :In 1964, Haywood moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Pershing High School...
in the and Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
in the . Two Rookie of the Year winners have been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Rookie of the Year Dan Issel
Dan Issel
Daniel Paul Issel is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player and coach.-Collegiate playing career:...
and Rookie of the Year David Thompson
David Thompson (basketball)
David O'Neil Thompson is a former American professional basketball star with the Denver Nuggets of both the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association , as well as the Seattle SuperSonics...
. Issel and Charlie Scott
Charlie Scott
Charles Thomas Scott is an American former professional basketball player. He played two seasons in the now-defunct American Basketball Association and eight seasons in the National Basketball Association .A 6'5" guard/forward from the Laurinburg Institute...
were joint winners in the .
| Season | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Minnesota Muskies Minnesota Muskies The Minnesota Muskies were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, born with the league's creation on February 2, 1967. L.P. Shields and Fred Jefferson bought in to create the franchise for $30,000... |
||
| Guard/Forward | Oakland Oaks Oakland Oaks (ABA) The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the original American Basketball Association. Formed in February 1967 as the Oakland Americans, the team changed its name to the Oaks prior to play that fall. Playing in the ABA during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons, the team colors were green and gold.The... |
||
| Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Denver Rockets | ||
| Guard/Forward | Virginia Squires Virginia Squires The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :... |
||
| * | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... /Forward |
Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did... |
|
| * | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did... |
|
| Guard | New York Nets | ||
| Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association .... |
||
| Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Spirits of St. Louis Spirits of St. Louis The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St... |
||
| * | Guard/Forward | Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... |
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year was an annual award first awarded in the , to the best head coach(es)Coach (basketball)
Basketball coaching is the act of directing and strategizing the behaviour of a basketball team or individual basketball player. Basketball coaching typically encompasses the improvement of individual and team offensive and defensive skills, as well as overall physical conditioning.Coaching is...
of the regular season. The inaugural award winner was Vince Cazzetta
Vince Cazzetta
Vincent "Vince" Cazzetta was head coach of the Pittsburgh Pipers during the 1967-1968 season in which they won the American Basketball Association championship. He was one of the most successful head coaches in Seattle University's men's basketball historyCazzetta was head coach at Seattle...
, who coached the Pittsburgh Pipers to an ABA championship. Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (ABA)
The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the original American Basketball Association. Formed in February 1967 as the Oakland Americans, the team changed its name to the Oaks prior to play that fall. Playing in the ABA during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons, the team colors were green and gold.The...
coach Alex Hannum
Alex Hannum
Alexander Murray Hannum was a professional basketball player and Hall-of-Fame coach.-Coaching career:Hannum is mostly known for coaching the Wilt Chamberlain-led Philadelphia 76ers of 1966-67 to the NBA championship, ending the eight-year title streak of the Boston Celtics. He had also coached the...
won the award the season after, and also coached his team to an ABA championship. Larry Brown
Larry Brown (basketball)
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
won the award three times, and is the only coach to have won the award multiple times. Two seasons had joint winners—Joe Belmont
Joe Belmont
Joe Belmont is a former American basketball player and coach. He played college basketball at Duke University, and was selected in the 1956 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. He never played in the NBA, however...
and Bill Sharman
Bill Sharman
William Walton "Bill" Sharman is a former professional basketball player and coach. Sharman completed high school in the rural city of Porterville, California and is mostly known for his time with the Boston Celtics in the 1950s, partnering with Bob Cousy in what some consider the greatest...
in the as well as Joe Mullaney and Babe McCarthy
Babe McCarthy
James Harrison "Babe" McCarthy , sometimes called "Ol' Magnolia Mouth" or just "Magnolia Mouth", was an American professional and collegiate basketball coach. McCarthy was originally from Baldwyn, Mississippi...
in the . Hannum, Sharman and Brown are the only recipients to have been inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Every head coach won the award without a losing record.
| Win% | Winning percentage Winning percentage In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win... |
| Division | Regular season finish in division |
| Season | Coach | Team | Win–Loss | Win% | Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Pipers | 54–24 | .692 | 1st (Eastern) | ||
| * | Oakland Oaks Oakland Oaks (ABA) The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the original American Basketball Association. Formed in February 1967 as the Oakland Americans, the team changed its name to the Oaks prior to play that fall. Playing in the ABA during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons, the team colors were green and gold.The... |
60–18 | .769 | 1st (Western) | |
| * | Los Angeles Stars | 43–41 | .512 | 4th (Western) | |
| Denver Rockets | 42–14 | .750 | 1st (Western) | ||
| Virginia Squires Virginia Squires The Virginia Squires were a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association from 1970 until just before the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.-In Oakland :... |
55–29 | .655 | 1st (Eastern) | ||
| Dallas Chaparrals Dallas Chaparrals The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, later becoming the San Antonio Spurs and joining the NBA.The team suffered from poor attendance and general disinterest in Dallas... |
42–42 | .500 | 3rd (Western) | ||
| * | Carolina Cougars Carolina Cougars Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful... |
57–27 | .679 | 1st (Eastern) | |
| Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did... |
53–31 | .631 | 2nd (Eastern) | ||
| Utah Stars Utah Stars The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:... |
51–33 | .607 | 1st (Western) | ||
| * (2) | Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... |
65–19 | .774 | 1st (Western) | |
| * (3) | Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... |
60–24 | .714 | None | |
Playoffs MVP
The Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award was an annual award given in the ABA Playoffs. The award was first awarded in the 1968 ABA Playoffs1968 ABA Playoffs
The 1968 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the American Basketball Association's inaugural 1967-1968 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Pittsburgh Pipers defeating the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers, four games to three in the...
, and was retired as part of the ABA–NBA merger. The inaugural award winner was Pittsburgh Pipers' player Connie Hawkins
Connie Hawkins
Cornelius L. Hawkins is a former National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association player, Harlem Globetrotter and New York City playground legend...
. On all occasions, the player who wins the Playoffs MVP award was from the team that won the ABA championship. Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
, who led the New York Nets to two ABA championships in 1974
1974 ABA Playoffs
The 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game...
and 1976
1976 ABA Playoffs
The 1976 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the New York Nets defeating the Denver Nuggets four games to two in the ABA Finals....
, is the only player to win the award twice.
| Year | Player | Positions | Team | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 1968 ABA Playoffs The 1968 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament following the American Basketball Association's inaugural 1967-1968 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Pittsburgh Pipers defeating the Western Division champion New Orleans Buccaneers, four games to three in the... |
* | Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Pittsburgh Pipers | |
| 1969 1969 ABA Playoffs The 1969 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1968-1969 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Oakland Oaks defeating the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The... |
Guard/Forward | Oakland Oaks Oakland Oaks (ABA) The Oakland Oaks were a charter member of the original American Basketball Association. Formed in February 1967 as the Oakland Americans, the team changed its name to the Oaks prior to play that fall. Playing in the ABA during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 seasons, the team colors were green and gold.The... |
||
| 1970 1970 ABA Playoffs The 1970 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1969-1970 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Western Division champion Los Angeles Stars, four games to two in the ABA Finals.The Indiana Pacers... |
Forward/Guard | Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
||
| 1971 1971 ABA Playoffs The 1971 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1970-1971 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Utah Stars defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA finals.-Notable... |
Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Utah Stars Utah Stars The Utah Stars was an American Basketball Association team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.Under head coach Bill Sharman the Stars were the first major professional basketball team to use a pre-game shootaround.-History:... |
||
| 1972 1972 ABA Playoffs The 1972 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1971-1972 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion New York Nets, four games to two in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:The... |
Guard | Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
||
| 1973 1973 ABA Playoffs The 1973 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1972-1973 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers defeating the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels, four games to three in the ABA Finals.-Notable... |
Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
||
| 1974 1974 ABA Playoffs The 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game... |
* | Forward | New York Nets | |
| 1975 1975 ABA Playoffs The 1975 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1974-1975 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion Kentucky Colonels defeating the Western Division champion Indiana Pacers, four games to one in the ABA Finals.The Kentucky... |
* | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did... |
|
| 1976 1976 ABA Playoffs The 1976 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the New York Nets defeating the Denver Nuggets four games to two in the ABA Finals.... |
* (2) | Forward | New York Nets | |
All-Star Game MVP
The All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) was an annual award given to the best player of the annual All-Star Game. The award was established in the 1968 All-Star Game1968 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 1: at Indianapolis, Indiana, January 9, 1968MVP: Larry Brown, New Orleans BuccaneersCoaches:* East: Jim Pollard, Minnesota Muskies* West: Babe McCarthy, New Orleans Buccaneers-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:...
, and was retired as part of the ABA—NBA merger. The first recipient of the award was Larry Brown
Larry Brown (basketball)
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
, who scored 17 points in a losing cause. Brown and 1971
1971 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 4: at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina, January 23, 1971MVP: Mel Daniels, Indiana PacersCoaches:* East: Al Bianchi, Virginia Squires* West: Bill Sharman, Utah Stars-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:...
winner Mel Daniels
Mel Daniels
Melvin Joe Daniels is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6' 9" center, he played for the University of New Mexico Lobo men's basketball team from 1964-67...
are the only players to win the award while being on the losing team in the All-Star Game. Three rookies have won the award: Brown, Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood is a retired American professional basketball player.- High school :In 1964, Haywood moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Pershing High School...
in the 1970 All-Star Game
1970 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 3: at Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, January 24, 1970MVP: Spencer Haywood, Denver RocketsCoaches:* East: Bob Leonard, Indiana Pacers* West: Babe McCarthy, New Orleans Buccaneers-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference:...
and David Thompson
David Thompson (basketball)
David O'Neil Thompson is a former American professional basketball star with the Denver Nuggets of both the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association , as well as the Seattle SuperSonics...
in the 1976 All-Star Game
1976 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 9: at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, January 27, 1976MVP: David Thompson, Denver NuggetsCoaches:* All-Stars: Kevin Loughery, New York Nets* Denver: Larry Brown, Denver NuggetsIn the 1976 ABA All Star Game, the league abandoned the usual East vs...
. From 1968 to 1975
1975 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 8: at HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, January 28, 1975MVP: Freddie Lewis, Spirits of St. LouisCoaches:* East: Kevin Loughery, New York Nets* West: Larry Brown, Denver Nuggets-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:...
, the game has matched the best players in the Eastern Division with the best players in the Western Division. The West has won five All-Star Game MVP awards, while the East won three. In the 1976 All-Star Game
1976 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 9: at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, January 27, 1976MVP: David Thompson, Denver NuggetsCoaches:* All-Stars: Kevin Loughery, New York Nets* Denver: Larry Brown, Denver NuggetsIn the 1976 ABA All Star Game, the league abandoned the usual East vs...
, the teams were the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
and the All-Stars. Denver won that All-Star Game, with Thompson as MVP.
| Year | Player | Position | All-Star Team | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 1968 ABA All-Star Game GAME 1: at Indianapolis, Indiana, January 9, 1968MVP: Larry Brown, New Orleans BuccaneersCoaches:* East: Jim Pollard, Minnesota Muskies* West: Babe McCarthy, New Orleans Buccaneers-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:... |
* | Guard | West (lost) | New Orleans Buccaneers New Orleans Buccaneers New Orleans Buccaneers was a charter member of the American Basketball Association. After three seasons in New Orleans, Louisiana the franchise moved to Memphis, Tennessee where it became the Pros, Tams and Sounds for four years before an abortive move to Baltimore in 1975.-Origins:With the... |
| 1969 1969 ABA All-Star Game GAME 2: at Louisville Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky, January 28, 1969MVP: John Beasley, Dallas ChaparralsCoaches:* East: Gene Rhodes, Kentucky Colonels* West: Alex Hannum, Oakland Oaks-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:... |
Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
West | Dallas Chaparrals Dallas Chaparrals The Dallas Chaparrals were a charter member of the American Basketball Association, later becoming the San Antonio Spurs and joining the NBA.The team suffered from poor attendance and general disinterest in Dallas... |
|
| 1970 1970 ABA All-Star Game GAME 3: at Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, January 24, 1970MVP: Spencer Haywood, Denver RocketsCoaches:* East: Bob Leonard, Indiana Pacers* West: Babe McCarthy, New Orleans Buccaneers-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference:... |
Forward/Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
West | Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... |
|
| 1971 1971 ABA All-Star Game GAME 4: at Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina, January 23, 1971MVP: Mel Daniels, Indiana PacersCoaches:* East: Al Bianchi, Virginia Squires* West: Bill Sharman, Utah Stars-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:... |
Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
West (lost) | Indiana Pacers Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association... |
|
| 1972 1972 ABA All-Star Game GAME 5: at Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, January 29, 1972MVP: Dan Issel, Kentucky ColonelsCoaches:* East: Joe Mullaney, Kentucky Colonels* West: LaDell Andersen, Utah Stars-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:... |
* | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... /Forward |
East | Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did... |
| 1973 1973 ABA All-Star Game GAME 6: at the Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah, February 6, 1973MVP: Warren Jabali, Denver RocketsCoaches: East:* Larry Brown, Carolina Cougars* West: LaDell Andersen, Utah Stars-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:... |
Guard/Forward | West | Denver Rockets | |
| 1974 1974 ABA All-Star Game GAME 7: at Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, January 30, 1974MVP: Artis Gilmore, Kentucky ColonelsCoaches:* East: Babe McCarthy, Kentucky Colonels* West: Joe Mullaney, Utah Stars-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:... |
* | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
East | Kentucky Colonels Kentucky Colonels The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did... |
| 1975 1975 ABA All-Star Game GAME 8: at HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas, January 28, 1975MVP: Freddie Lewis, Spirits of St. LouisCoaches:* East: Kevin Loughery, New York Nets* West: Larry Brown, Denver Nuggets-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by Periods:... |
Guard | East | Spirits of St. Louis Spirits of St. Louis The Spirits of St. Louis were one of two teams still in existence at the end of the American Basketball Association that did not survive the ABA-NBA merger. They were a member of the ABA in its last two seasons, 1974–75 and 1975–76, while playing their home games at the St... |
|
| 1976 1976 ABA All-Star Game GAME 9: at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, January 27, 1976MVP: David Thompson, Denver NuggetsCoaches:* All-Stars: Kevin Loughery, New York Nets* Denver: Larry Brown, Denver NuggetsIn the 1976 ABA All Star Game, the league abandoned the usual East vs... |
* | Guard/Forward | Denver | Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... |
Executive of the Year
| Season | Executive | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Scheer | Carolina Cougars Carolina Cougars Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful... |
|
| Jack Ankerson Jack Ankerson A native of Neenah, Wisconsin, Jack Ankerson attended Ripon College where he played football, tennis, and basketball, earning all-conference honors in 1963 and 1964 and ranked as one of the small school’s all-time leading scorers.... |
San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association .... |
|
| Carl Scheer (2) | Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... |
|
| Carl Scheer (3) | Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... |
Denotes the year in which joint winners were named for the respective award
Honors
| * | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player has been selected |
All-ABA Team
The All-ABA Team was an annual honor bestowed on the best players in the league following every ABA season. The team was selected in every season of the league's existence, dating back to its inaugural season in 1967–681967–68 ABA season
The 1967–68 ABA season was the first season for the American Basketball Association. The ABA was challenging the National Basketball Association. The ABA introduced a red, white and blue basketball. They also used a 30 second shot clock as opposed to the NBA's 24 second shot clock. The ABA also...
. The All-ABA Team was composed of two five-man lineups—a first and second team, each typically consisting of two forwards, one center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
, and two guards. A tie has occurred only once in the when Zelmo Beaty
Zelmo Beaty
Zelmo "Big Z" Beaty is a former American basketball player.A 6'9" center from Prairie View A&M, Beaty was selected with the third pick of the 1962 National Basketball Association Draft by the St. Louis Hawks. Beaty was named to the inaugural NBA All-Rookie Team in 1963, and played a total of...
and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dan Issel
Dan Issel
Daniel Paul Issel is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player and coach.-Collegiate playing career:...
both were selected to the center position.
Mel Daniels
Mel Daniels
Melvin Joe Daniels is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6' 9" center, he played for the University of New Mexico Lobo men's basketball team from 1964-67...
, Issel, Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
and Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
all tie for the record for the most total selections with five. Rick Barry
Rick Barry
Richard Francis Dennis Barry III , better known as Rick Barry, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is considered by many veteran basketball observers to be one of the greatest pure small forwards of all time as a result of his very precise outside shot, uncanny court vision,...
, Donnie Freeman
Donnie Freeman
Donald E. Freeman is an American former professional basketball player. He spent eight seasons in the American Basketball Association and, after the ABA-NBA merger, one season in the National Basketball Association...
, Mack Calvin
Mack Calvin
Mack Calvin is an American former basketball player.-College career:A 6'0" point guard from Long Beach City College and the University of Southern California, Calvin was a 14th-round draft pick of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers in 1969.In his final college season, Calvin and his Trojans defeated the...
and Louie Dampier
Louie Dampier
Louis "Louie" Dampier is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6-foot-tall guard, Dampier is one of only a handful of men to play all nine seasons in the American Basketball Association , all with the Kentucky Colonels...
each have four total selections, while Larry Jones
Larry Jones
Larry Jones is a retired American basketball player. He played professionally in the NBA and ABA, from 1964 to 1974....
, Roger Brown, George McGinnis
George McGinnis
George F. McGinnis is a retired American professional basketball player, most notably with the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association . He was drafted into the ABA from Indiana University in 1971...
and Ralph Simpson
Ralph Simpson
Ralph Derek Simpson is a retired American basketball player. He played professionally in the ABA and NBA from 1970 to 1980....
follow with three total selections. Gilmore has the most All-ABA first team selections with five, while Daniels, Barry and Erving are all tied for second-most with four. A total of nine players were selected during their respective rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
years: Daniels, Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood is a retired American professional basketball player.- High school :In 1964, Haywood moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Pershing High School...
, Scott, Issel, Erving, Gilmore, Swen Nater
Swen Nater
Swen Eric Nater is a retired Dutch professional basketball player, primarily in the ABA and NBA.-Basketball career:Nater helped John Wooden's UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles....
, Marvin Barnes
Marvin Barnes
Marvin Jerome Barnes is a former professional American basketball player.As a 6'8" forward for Providence College, Barnes led the nation in rebounding in 1973-74. On December 15, 1973, Barnes scored 52 points against Austin Peay, breaking the single-game school record...
, and David Thompson
David Thompson (basketball)
David O'Neil Thompson is a former American professional basketball star with the Denver Nuggets of both the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association , as well as the Seattle SuperSonics...
.
| Player (in italic text) | Indicates the player who won the ABA Most Valuable Player in the same year |
| Season | |First Team | |Second Team | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Forward | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Guard | Guard | Forward | Forward | Center Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Guard | Guard | |
| Connie Hawkins Connie Hawkins Cornelius L. Hawkins is a former National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association player, Harlem Globetrotter and New York City playground legend... , Pittsburgh Pipers |
Doug Moe Doug Moe Douglas Edwin Moe is an American professional basketball coach. He is most closely associated with the Denver Nuggets franchise.... , New Orleans Buccaneers |
Mel Daniels Mel Daniels Melvin Joe Daniels is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6' 9" center, he played for the University of New Mexico Lobo men's basketball team from 1964-67... , Minnesota Muskies |
Larry Jones Larry Jones Larry Jones is a retired American basketball player. He played professionally in the NBA and ABA, from 1964 to 1974.... , Denver Rockets |
Charlie Williams Charlie Williams (basketball) Charles E. "Charlie" Williams is a former professional basketball player. A 6’0” guard from Stadium High School and Seattle University, he played in the American Basketball Association in the late 1960s and early 1970s... , Pittsburgh Pipers |
Roger Brown, Indiana Pacers | Cincy Powell Cincy Powell Cincinnatus "Cincy" Powell is a former professional basketball player. A 6'7"/2.01 m forward from the University of Portland, Powell was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the eighth round of the 1965 NBA Draft... , Dallas Chaparrals |
John Beasley John Beasley (basketball) John Michael Beasley is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'9" forward/center from Texas A&M University, Beasley was selected in the fifth round of the 1966 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets... , Dallas Chaparrals |
Larry Brown Larry Brown (basketball) Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats.... , New Orleans Buccaneers |
Louie Dampier Louie Dampier Louis "Louie" Dampier is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6-foot-tall guard, Dampier is one of only a handful of men to play all nine seasons in the American Basketball Association , all with the Kentucky Colonels... , Kentucky Colonels |
|
| Connie Hawkins, Minnesota Pipers (2) | Rick Barry Rick Barry Richard Francis Dennis Barry III , better known as Rick Barry, is a retired American professional basketball player. He is considered by many veteran basketball observers to be one of the greatest pure small forwards of all time as a result of his very precise outside shot, uncanny court vision,... , Oakland Oaks |
Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (2) | Jimmy Jones Jimmy Jones (basketball) James "Jimmy" Jones is an American former professional basketball player who was a six-time All-Star in the American Basketball Association .A 6'4" guard/forward, Jones attended Grambling State University.... , New Orleans Buccaneers |
Larry Jones, Denver Rockets (2) | John Beasley, Dallas Chaparrals (2) | Doug Moe, Oakland Oaks (2) | Red Robbins Red Robbins Austin "Red" Robbins was an American basketball player.... , New Orleans Buccaneers |
Donnie Freeman Donnie Freeman Donald E. Freeman is an American former professional basketball player. He spent eight seasons in the American Basketball Association and, after the ABA-NBA merger, one season in the National Basketball Association... , Miami Floridians |
Louie Dampier, Kentucky Colonels (2) | |
| Rick Barry, Washington Capitols (2) | Spencer Haywood Spencer Haywood Spencer Haywood is a retired American professional basketball player.- High school :In 1964, Haywood moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Pershing High School... , Denver Rockets |
Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (3) | Bob Verga Bob Verga Robert Bruce Verga is a retired American basketball player, who played in the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association from 1967–1974... , Carolina Cougars |
Larry Jones, Denver Rockets (3) | Roger Brown, Indiana Pacers (2) | Bob Netolicky Bob Netolicky Robert Netolicky is a retired American basketball player. A 6'9" power forward/center, he played professionally in the now-defunct American Basketball Association from 1967 to 1976.... , Indiana Pacers |
Red Robbins, New Orleans Buccaneers (2) | Louie Dampier, Kentucky Colonels (3) | Donnie Freeman, Miami Floridians (2) | |
| Roger Brown, Indiana Pacers (3) | Rick Barry, New York Nets (3) | Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (4) | Mack Calvin Mack Calvin Mack Calvin is an American former basketball player.-College career:A 6'0" point guard from Long Beach City College and the University of Southern California, Calvin was a 14th-round draft pick of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers in 1969.In his final college season, Calvin and his Trojans defeated the... , The Floridians |
Charlie Scott Charlie Scott Charles Thomas Scott is an American former professional basketball player. He played two seasons in the now-defunct American Basketball Association and eight seasons in the National Basketball Association .A 6'5" guard/forward from the Laurinburg Institute... , Virginia Squires |
John Brisker John Brisker John Brisker was an American professional basketball player who disappeared in Uganda in April 1978. He was declared legally dead in 1985.-Sports career:... , Pittsburgh Condors |
Joe Caldwell Joe Caldwell Joe Louis Caldwell is a retired American professional basketball player. He spent 6 seasons in the NBA and 5 seasons in the now-defunct ABA, and he was one of the few players to be an All-Star in both leagues... , Carolina Cougars |
Zelmo Beaty Zelmo Beaty Zelmo "Big Z" Beaty is a former American basketball player.A 6'9" center from Prairie View A&M, Beaty was selected with the third pick of the 1962 National Basketball Association Draft by the St. Louis Hawks. Beaty was named to the inaugural NBA All-Rookie Team in 1963, and played a total of... , Utah Stars (tie) |
Donnie Freeman, Texas Chaparrals (3) | Larry Cannon Larry Cannon (basketball) Lawrence T. "Larry" Cannon is a retired American basketball player, a former 6'4" guard .-La Salle:... , Denver Rockets |
|
| Dan Issel Dan Issel Daniel Paul Issel is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player and coach.-Collegiate playing career:... , Kentucky Colonels (tie) |
||||||||||
| Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels (2) | Rick Barry, New York Nets (4) | Artis Gilmore Artis Gilmore Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association... , Kentucky Colonels |
Donnie Freeman, Dallas Chaparrals (4) | Bill Melchionni Bill Melchionni William P. "Bill" Melchionni is a former NBA and ABA player.Melchionni was a wispy guard from Bishop Eustace Prep who was a collegiate star in the mid-1960s at Villanova University and was the Most Valuable Player in the 1966 NIT... , New York Nets |
Willie Wise Willie Wise Willie M. Wise is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'6" forward from Drake University, Wise earned a spot on the American Basketball Association's Los Angeles Stars as a walk-on in 1969... , Utah Stars |
Julius Erving Julius Erving Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim.... , Virginia Squires |
Zelmo Beaty, Utah Stars (2) | Ralph Simpson Ralph Simpson Ralph Derek Simpson is a retired American basketball player. He played professionally in the ABA and NBA from 1970 to 1980.... , Denver Rockets |
Charlie Scott, Virginia Squires (2) | |
| Billy Cunningham Billy Cunningham William John "Billy" Cunningham is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid.- Beginnings :... , Carolina Cougars |
Julius Erving, Virginia Squires (2) | Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels (2) | Jimmy Jones Jimmy Jones (basketball) James "Jimmy" Jones is an American former professional basketball player who was a six-time All-Star in the American Basketball Association .A 6'4" guard/forward, Jones attended Grambling State University.... , Utah Stars (2) |
Warren Jabali Warren Jabali Warren Jabali is a retired American basketball player. He played professionally in the American Basketball Association from 1968 to 1975.-Early career:... , Denver Rockets |
George McGinnis George McGinnis George F. McGinnis is a retired American professional basketball player, most notably with the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association . He was drafted into the ABA from Indiana University in 1971... , Indiana Pacers |
Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels (3) | Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (5) | Ralph Simpson, Denver Rockets (2) | Mack Calvin, Carolina Cougars (2) | |
| Julius Erving, New York Nets (3) | George McGinnis, Indiana Pacers (2) | Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels (3) | Jimmy Jones, Utah Stars (3) | Mack Calvin, Carolina Cougars (3) | Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels (4) | Willie Wise, Utah Stars (2) | Swen Nater Swen Nater Swen Eric Nater is a retired Dutch professional basketball player, primarily in the ABA and NBA.-Basketball career:Nater helped John Wooden's UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles.... , San Antonio Spurs |
Ron Boone Ron Boone Ronald Bruce Boone is a retired American Basketball Association player.During his years at Tech High in North Omaha, Nebraska, Boone stood 6'2" and weighed 175 pounds.... , Utah Stars |
Louie Dampier, Kentucky Colonels (4) | |
| Julius Erving, New York Nets (4) | George McGinnis, Indiana Pacers (3) | Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels (4) | Mack Calvin, Denver Nuggets (4) | Ron Boone, Utah Stars (2) | Marvin Barnes Marvin Barnes Marvin Jerome Barnes is a former professional American basketball player.As a 6'8" forward for Providence College, Barnes led the nation in rebounding in 1973-74. On December 15, 1973, Barnes scored 52 points against Austin Peay, breaking the single-game school record... , Spirits of St. Louis |
George Gervin George Gervin George "The Iceman" Gervin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls... , San Antonio Spurs |
Swen Nater, San Antonio Spurs (2) | Brian Taylor Brian Taylor (basketball) Brian Dwight Taylor is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'2" guard from Princeton University, he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the 1972 NBA Draft... , New York Nets |
James Silas, San Antonio Spurs | |
| Julius Erving, New York Nets (5) | Billy Knight Billy Knight William R. "Billy" Knight is an American former professional basketball player who most recently served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Basketball Association's Atlanta Hawks from 2003–08.Knight grew up in Braddock, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where he... , Indiana Pacers |
Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels (5) | James Silas, San Antonio Spurs (2) | Ralph Simpson, Denver Nuggets (3) | David Thompson David Thompson (basketball) David O'Neil Thompson is a former American professional basketball star with the Denver Nuggets of both the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association , as well as the Seattle SuperSonics... , Denver Nuggets |
Bobby Jones, Denver Nuggets | Dan Issel, Denver Nuggets (5) | Don Buse Don Buse Donald R. Buse is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'4" guard from the University of Evansville, Buse played 13 seasons in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers,... , Indiana Pacers |
George Gervin, San Antonio Spurs (2) |
All-Defensive Team
The All-Defensive Team was an annual honor bestowed on the best defensive players in the league from the to the season when the league merged with the NBA. The All-Defensive Team was composed of a five-man lineup without regard to positionBasketball position
The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are guard, forward, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and...
. Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore
Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association...
holds the record for the most selections with four, while Mike Gale
Mike Gale
Michael Eugene Gale is a retired American basketball player.Gale was a 6'4" guard at Elizabeth City State University. He was drafted in the third round of the 1971 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1971 American Basketball Association draft...
, Julius Keye
Julius Keye
Julius Keye was an American professional basketball player.A 6'10" forward/center from South Carolina State University and Alcorn State University, Keye played six seasons in the American Basketball Association as a member of the Denver Rockets and the Memphis Sounds...
, Fatty Taylor, Willie Wise
Willie Wise
Willie M. Wise is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'6" forward from Drake University, Wise earned a spot on the American Basketball Association's Los Angeles Stars as a walk-on in 1969...
, Don Buse
Don Buse
Donald R. Buse is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'4" guard from the University of Evansville, Buse played 13 seasons in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers,...
, Bobby Jones and Brian Taylor
Brian Taylor (basketball)
Brian Dwight Taylor is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'2" guard from Princeton University, he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the 1972 NBA Draft...
follow with two selections. Bobby Jones was the only player to be selected during his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
year.
| Season | |Selections | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Caldwell Joe Caldwell Joe Louis Caldwell is a retired American professional basketball player. He spent 6 seasons in the NBA and 5 seasons in the now-defunct ABA, and he was one of the few players to be an All-Star in both leagues... |
Mike Gale Mike Gale Michael Eugene Gale is a retired American basketball player.Gale was a 6'4" guard at Elizabeth City State University. He was drafted in the third round of the 1971 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and by the Kentucky Colonels in the 1971 American Basketball Association draft... |
Artis Gilmore Artis Gilmore Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association... * |
Julius Keye Julius Keye Julius Keye was an American professional basketball player.A 6'10" forward/center from South Carolina State University and Alcorn State University, Keye played six seasons in the American Basketball Association as a member of the Denver Rockets and the Memphis Sounds... |
Fatty Taylor | Willie Wise Willie Wise Willie M. Wise is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'6" forward from Drake University, Wise earned a spot on the American Basketball Association's Los Angeles Stars as a walk-on in 1969... |
|
| Mike Gale (2) | Artis Gilmore (2)* | Julius Keye (2) | Ted McClain Ted McClain Theodore McClain is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'1", 180 lb guard from Tennessee State University, McClain played eight seasons of professional basketball in the ABA and NBA.While in college McClain was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1970 NCAA Men's... |
Fatty Taylor (2) | Willie Wise (2) | |
| Don Buse Don Buse Donald R. Buse is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'4" guard from the University of Evansville, Buse played 13 seasons in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association as a member of the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers,... |
Artis Gilmore (3)* | Bobby Jones | Wil Jones Wil Jones Wilbert "Wil" Jones is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'8" forward from Albany State University, Jones was drafted in the fifth round of the 1969 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and by the Miami Floridians in the 1969 ABA Draft.Jones played seven seasons in the American... |
Brian Taylor Brian Taylor (basketball) Brian Dwight Taylor is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'2" guard from Princeton University, he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the 1972 NBA Draft... |
The sixth player was not selected | |
| Don Buse (2) | Julius Erving Julius Erving Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim.... * |
Artis Gilmore (4)* | Bobby Jones (2) | Brian Taylor (2) |
All-Rookie Team
The All-Rookie Team was an annual honor given to the top rookies during the regular season. The team was selected in every season of the league's existence, dating back to its inaugural season in 1967–68. The All-Rookie Team was composed of a five-man lineup.| Player (in italic text) | Indicates the player who won the ABA Rookie of the Year in the same year |
| Season | |Selections | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louie Dampier Louie Dampier Louis "Louie" Dampier is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6-foot-tall guard, Dampier is one of only a handful of men to play all nine seasons in the American Basketball Association , all with the Kentucky Colonels... |
Mel Daniels Mel Daniels Melvin Joe Daniels is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6' 9" center, he played for the University of New Mexico Lobo men's basketball team from 1964-67... |
Jimmy Jones Jimmy Jones (basketball) James "Jimmy" Jones is an American former professional basketball player who was a six-time All-Star in the American Basketball Association .A 6'4" guard/forward, Jones attended Grambling State University.... |
Bob Netolicky Bob Netolicky Robert Netolicky is a retired American basketball player. A 6'9" power forward/center, he played professionally in the now-defunct American Basketball Association from 1967 to 1976.... |
Trooper Washington Trooper Washington Thomas "Trooper" Washington was an American professional basketball player.... |
|
| Ron Boone Ron Boone Ronald Bruce Boone is a retired American Basketball Association player.During his years at Tech High in North Omaha, Nebraska, Boone stood 6'2" and weighed 175 pounds.... |
Warren Jabali Warren Jabali Warren Jabali is a retired American basketball player. He played professionally in the American Basketball Association from 1968 to 1975.-Early career:... |
Larry Miller Larry Miller (basketball) Lawrence James Miller is a retired American basketball player.As the All American star of his Catasauqua High School team, Miller scored 46 of his team's 66 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a 65-62 win over Steelton High in the 1964 Pennsylvania state playoffs at the Hershey Arena.A 6'4"... |
Gene Moore Gene Moore (basketball) Eugene Wilbert Moore is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'9" center from Saint Louis University, Moore was selected in the second round of the 1968 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and by the Kentucky Colonels in the American Basketball Association draft.Moore played in the... |
Walter Piatkowski | |
| Mike Barrett Mike Barrett (basketball player) Michael Thomas "Bird Man" Barrett was an American basketball player.He was reared in Richwood, West Virginia and attended Richwood High School.... |
John Brisker John Brisker John Brisker was an American professional basketball player who disappeared in Uganda in April 1978. He was declared legally dead in 1985.-Sports career:... |
Mack Calvin Mack Calvin Mack Calvin is an American former basketball player.-College career:A 6'0" point guard from Long Beach City College and the University of Southern California, Calvin was a 14th-round draft pick of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers in 1969.In his final college season, Calvin and his Trojans defeated the... |
Spencer Haywood Spencer Haywood Spencer Haywood is a retired American professional basketball player.- High school :In 1964, Haywood moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Pershing High School... |
Willie Wise Willie Wise Willie M. Wise is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'6" forward from Drake University, Wise earned a spot on the American Basketball Association's Los Angeles Stars as a walk-on in 1969... |
|
| Joe Hamilton Joe Hamilton (basketball) Joe Hamilton was an American basketball player.Hamilton played high school basketball at Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky. He later played college basketball at the University of North Texas.... |
Dan Issel Dan Issel Daniel Paul Issel is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player and coach.-Collegiate playing career:... * |
Wendell Ladner Wendell Ladner Wendell Ladner was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at The University of Southern Mississippi where he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.... |
Samuel Robinson | Charlie Scott Charlie Scott Charles Thomas Scott is an American former professional basketball player. He played two seasons in the now-defunct American Basketball Association and eight seasons in the National Basketball Association .A 6'5" guard/forward from the Laurinburg Institute... |
|
| Julius Erving Julius Erving Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim.... * |
Artis Gilmore Artis Gilmore Artis Gilmore is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association... * |
George McGinnis George McGinnis George F. McGinnis is a retired American professional basketball player, most notably with the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association . He was drafted into the ABA from Indiana University in 1971... |
Johnny Neumann Johnny Neumann Carl John Neumann is an American former professional basketball player and coach. At 6'6" and 200 pounds, he played the guard and forward positions.-High school and college:... |
John Roche | |
| Jim Chones Jim Chones James Bernett Chones is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'11" forward/center, Chones starred at Marquette University, where he earned All-America honors as a junior in 1972 after averaging 20.5 points and 11.9 rebounds per game... |
George Gervin George Gervin George "The Iceman" Gervin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls... * |
James Silas | Brian Taylor Brian Taylor (basketball) Brian Dwight Taylor is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'2" guard from Princeton University, he was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the 1972 NBA Draft... |
Dennis Wuycik Dennis Wuycik Dennis Wuycik is a retired American basketball player. He was named to the 1973 ABA All-Rookie team, and averaged 4.4 points per game during his ABA career.-External links:... |
|
| Mike Green Mike Green (basketball) For the basketball player born in 1985, see Michael Green .Michael Kenneth Green is a retired American professional basketball player.... |
Larry Kenon Larry Kenon Larry Joe Kenon is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'9" forward who had a productive career in both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association , Kenon played for the New York Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and... |
Bo Lamar Bo Lamar Dwight "Bo" Lamar is a former professional American basketball player. He attended high school in Columbus and graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.... |
Swen Nater Swen Nater Swen Eric Nater is a retired Dutch professional basketball player, primarily in the ABA and NBA.-Basketball career:Nater helped John Wooden's UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles.... |
John Williamson John Williamson (basketball) John Lee Williamson was an American basketball player.Williamson played high school basketball at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Connecticut and played college basketball at New Mexico State University. He was a 6'2" guard... |
|
| Marvin Barnes Marvin Barnes Marvin Jerome Barnes is a former professional American basketball player.As a 6'8" forward for Providence College, Barnes led the nation in rebounding in 1973-74. On December 15, 1973, Barnes scored 52 points against Austin Peay, breaking the single-game school record... |
Gus Gerard Gus Gerard Gus Gerard is a retired American professional basketball player who played for the Carolina Cougars and Spirits of St... |
Bobby Jones | Billy Knight Billy Knight William R. "Billy" Knight is an American former professional basketball player who most recently served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the National Basketball Association's Atlanta Hawks from 2003–08.Knight grew up in Braddock, a suburb of Pittsburgh, where he... |
Moses Malone Moses Malone Moses Eugene Malone is a retired American Hall of Fame basketball player who starred in both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association... * |
|
| Ticky Burden | M. L. Carr M. L. Carr Michael Leon Carr is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association, and former head coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics... |
Kim Hughes | Mark Olberding Mark Olberding Mark Allen Olberding is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'8" forward from the University of Minnesota, Olberding played 12 seasons in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association as a member of the San Diego Sails , San Antonio Spurs , Chicago Bulls ,... |
David Thompson David Thompson (basketball) David O'Neil Thompson is a former American professional basketball star with the Denver Nuggets of both the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association , as well as the Seattle SuperSonics... * |