George Gervin, nicknamed "the Iceman", is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls. Gervin averaged at least 14 points per game in all 14 of his ABA and NBA seasons, and finished with an NBA career average of 26.2 points per game. Widely regarded as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history, in 1996 Gervin was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and in 2021, Gervin was named as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.
Gervin with the San Antonio Spurs, c. 1970s
Halftime ceremony at a December 11, 2021 Eastern Michigan University basketball game, with Gervin being honored and the team's arena being rededicated as the "George Gervin GameAbove Center"
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a men's professional basketball league from 1967 to 1976. The ABA merged into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1976, resulting in four ABA teams joining the NBA and the introduction of the NBA 3-point shot in 1979.
Doug Moe of the Carolina Cougars, 1969–70
Julius Erving performing a slam dunk against the Spirits of St. Louis, 1974
Hall of Famer Rick Barry played for the ABA's Oakland Oaks
Connie Hawkins of the Pittsburgh Pipers won the 1967–68 ABA MVP award