Quick Facts

Julius Erving is a retired American basketball player and current entrepreneur who has a net worth of $50 million. Julius Erving, also known as “Dr J”, earned fame and fortune playing in the NBA where he pioneered the modern style of leaping, “slam dunk” play above above the rim.

Across his 16 seasons, during which he played for the Virginia Squires, New York Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers, he won three championships and four MVP awards, and scored an incredible 30,026 points, ranking third on the all-time scoring list. Erving was especially renowned for his powerful yet graceful dunking skills. After the NBA he launched a highly successful business and endorsement career.

How much is the Net worth of Julius Erving?

The estimated net worth of Julius Erving is $50 million. Erving reportedly agreed to an eight-year deal with the Nets paying $350,000 annually. Julius resides in a mansion in St. George that is more than $2.25 million in value. Erving even entered into a $20,000 contract with Converse in 1975. It happened after he terminated his Adidas contract in the same year that the ABA and NBA amalgamated.

Early Years: Where and when was Julius Erving born?

In Nassau County, New York, on February 22, 1950, Julius Winfield Erving II was born. Erving was a high school and collegiate basketball star who earned the moniker “The Doctor” and “Dr. J” for his showmanship and prowess on the court. He left college after two successful seasons of varsity basketball to play in the now-defunct American Basketball Association (ABA). He signed on with the Virginia Squires in 1971 as an undrafted free agent. Also, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for another productive 11 years in the NBA after spending five years with the ABA.

What is the Professional Career of Julius Erving?

Collegiate Career

Erving began his studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1968. In his two seasons of varsity college basketball there, he nearly set records for men’s basketball in the NCAA by averaging 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game. Erving’s renowned dunking abilities were not yet well known since the NCAA imposed a rule outlawing them.

Virginia Squires

Erving left UMass following his junior year and inked a four-year deal with the Virginia Squires of the ABA in 1971. He quickly made a name for himself on the team and developed a reputation for having strong dunking skills. Erving contributed 27.3 points per game as a rookie, which enabled the Squires to reach the Eastern Division Finals. His involvement in a contract disagreement between the ABA and the NBA during the next season led to tension.

Early in 1972, Erving signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks, but the Milwaukee Bucks later selected him in the NBA draft. After a battle between the three teams over Erving’s ownership, he eventually joined the Squires. He didn’t miss a beat, scoring a career-high 31.9 points per game in the 1972–73 season despite the brawl.

New York Nets

In 1973, the Squires, who were having financial difficulties, sold Erving’s contract to the New York Nets. He helped the Nets win their first ABA championship in his first season with the franchise, rapidly establishing himself as the league’s most important player. When the ABA and NBA amalgamated after the 1975–76 season, Erving remained one of the most well-known players. He helped the Nets win another championship that year and was voted the postseason MVP.

Philadelphia 76ers

Erving was moved to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1976 after being courted by a number of clubs, most memorably the New York Knicks, who ultimately were unable to secure his services. In his first season as a Sixer, he helped the team to a 50-win season and an appearance in the NBA Finals, continuing his spectacular success.

But, Erving faced opposition when Larry Bird joined the NBA’s Boston Celtics in 1979, sparking the beginning of a protracted sporting rivalry that resulted in several meetings in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the 1982–83 season, however, no such challenges stood in his way as Erving and the Sixers dominated the season on route to the NBA championship victory. Even throughout his last professional years, which included his final season in 1986–1987, he kept up his strong play.

Dunking Skills

Erving is widely considered as one of the greatest dunkers in basketball history and is also given credit for popularizing the move. His trademark technique, the slam dunk, was seen in some of his most illustrious on-court performances. One of his most iconic dunks came in Game 6 of the 1977 NBA Finals when he sprinted the length of the court and launched the ball over Blazers defender Bill Walton’s outstretched arms. Another memorable play by Erving occurred during a regular-season game in 1983 when he threw the ball above his head and slammed it over Lakers defender Michael Cooper. Radio announcer Chick Hearn referred to this play as a “Rock the Baby” slam dunk.

Julius Erving and Kobe Bryant

The NBA’s all-time top scorer, Lebron James, was not the player Julius had confidence in. He cherished Kobe. Julius favored Kobe over LeBron in the Finals, picking the Spurs over the Heat, it was reported on June 6, 2013. He said “James struggles to strike it lucky. After his Heat were defeated by the Spurs in the NBA Finals, he is unable to defeat Kobe.” Kobe wasn’t the only athlete Julius preferred to =Lebron; Bryant also had Jordan’s support.

Kyrie Irving Related to Julius Erving?

Kyrie Irving, an American basketball player who played for the Mavericks of the NBA and was selected in 2011, has won three championships and four MVP awards. They are unrelated despite having the same name as a former basketball player named “Julius Erving.” Kyrie has made the NBA team three times and been selected as an all-star eight times. He and the Cavs won the NBA championship in 2016.

What is Julius Erving now doing?

Among the teams Julius played for were the NY Nets and the Virginia Squires (Teams of the American Basketball Association). He was moved to the 76ers following the NBA (National Basketball Association) merger. As of June 27, 2022, Erving is recognized as Dr. J: The Autobiography’s best-selling author in New York (More on his Auto-biography). After his retirement, he remained mostly connected to the 76ers, coaching in the BIG3 professional 3v3 competition and acting as the team’s official coach.

Who is the spouse of Julius Erving? His Former Partnership

Dorys Madden is presently the wife of Julius Erving. In 2008, the couple exchanged wedding vows. Jules and Julietta, their first two children, were born before their wedding, while Justin, their third child, arrived a few months later. Turquoise Erving and Erving were previously wed in 1972. They were married for 31 years until ending their long-term union in 2003.

They were blessed with a girl named Alexandra and a son named Cory. Tragically, their kid drowned in an automobile accidently when he was 19 years old. Julius started dating Dorys, and they tied the knot and vowed to stay together. The daughter of Jules from his first wife, Alexandra Stevenson, was also adopted by Madden and Erving.

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