ABA History
@abahistory.bsky.social
The life and times of the American Basketball Association, 1967-1976
#BOTD John Beasley, February 5, 1944 – November 23, 2022. A 2x SWC Player of the Year with Texas A&M, the 6-9 F/C played seven seasons in the ABA with the Dallas/Texas Chaparrals and Utah Stars. 3x ABA All-Star, 1969 ABA All-Star Game MVP.
March 6, 2025 at 1:34 AM
#BOTD John Beasley, February 5, 1944 – November 23, 2022. A 2x SWC Player of the Year with Texas A&M, the 6-9 F/C played seven seasons in the ABA with the Dallas/Texas Chaparrals and Utah Stars. 3x ABA All-Star, 1969 ABA All-Star Game MVP.
#HBD Wil Jones, born February 27, 1947 in McGehee, AR. A 6-8 forward out of Albany State, he played seven seasons in the ABA, with the Miami Floridians, Memphis Pros/Tams and Kentucky Colonels. Following the merger, he played two more seasons in the NBA. 1972 ABA All-Star, 1975 ABA Champion.
February 27, 2025 at 10:52 PM
#HBD Wil Jones, born February 27, 1947 in McGehee, AR. A 6-8 forward out of Albany State, he played seven seasons in the ABA, with the Miami Floridians, Memphis Pros/Tams and Kentucky Colonels. Following the merger, he played two more seasons in the NBA. 1972 ABA All-Star, 1975 ABA Champion.
#BOTD Cincy Powell, February 25, 1942 – January 9, 2023. A 6-7 forward out of the University of Portland, he spent eight seasons in the ABA, with the Dallas Chaparrals, Kentucky Colonels, Utah Stars, and Virginia Squires. 2 x ABA All-Star (1970, 1971).
February 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
#BOTD Cincy Powell, February 25, 1942 – January 9, 2023. A 6-7 forward out of the University of Portland, he spent eight seasons in the ABA, with the Dallas Chaparrals, Kentucky Colonels, Utah Stars, and Virginia Squires. 2 x ABA All-Star (1970, 1971).
#BOTD Roger Brown, May 22, 1942 – March 4, 1997. Blackballed by the NBA, he joined the ABA in 1967 and spent eight years in the league, playing for the Indiana Pacers, Memphis Sounds, and Utah Stars. 3x ABA Champion, 1970 Playoffs MVP, 4x All-Star. ABA All-Time Team. Naismith Hall of Fame 2013.
February 24, 2025 at 4:29 AM
#BOTD Roger Brown, May 22, 1942 – March 4, 1997. Blackballed by the NBA, he joined the ABA in 1967 and spent eight years in the league, playing for the Indiana Pacers, Memphis Sounds, and Utah Stars. 3x ABA Champion, 1970 Playoffs MVP, 4x All-Star. ABA All-Time Team. Naismith Hall of Fame 2013.
Dr. J 1975-76 New York Nets
February 22, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Dr. J 1975-76 New York Nets
Dr. J 1974-75 New York Nets
February 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Dr. J 1974-75 New York Nets
Dr. J 1973-74 New York Nets
February 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Dr. J 1973-74 New York Nets
Dr. J 1972-73 Virginia Squires
February 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Dr. J 1972-73 Virginia Squires
Dr. J 1971-72 Virginia Squires
February 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Dr. J 1971-72 Virginia Squires
Dr. J is 75 today!
2× ABA champion, 2× ABA Playoffs MVP, 3× ABA Most Valuable Player, 5× ABA All-Star, 4× All-ABA First Team, All-ABA Second Team (1972), ABA All-Defensive First Team (1976), ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972), 3× ABA scoring champion, ABA All-Time Team, ABA All-time MVP
2× ABA champion, 2× ABA Playoffs MVP, 3× ABA Most Valuable Player, 5× ABA All-Star, 4× All-ABA First Team, All-ABA Second Team (1972), ABA All-Defensive First Team (1976), ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972), 3× ABA scoring champion, ABA All-Time Team, ABA All-time MVP
February 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Dr. J is 75 today!
2× ABA champion, 2× ABA Playoffs MVP, 3× ABA Most Valuable Player, 5× ABA All-Star, 4× All-ABA First Team, All-ABA Second Team (1972), ABA All-Defensive First Team (1976), ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972), 3× ABA scoring champion, ABA All-Time Team, ABA All-time MVP
2× ABA champion, 2× ABA Playoffs MVP, 3× ABA Most Valuable Player, 5× ABA All-Star, 4× All-ABA First Team, All-ABA Second Team (1972), ABA All-Defensive First Team (1976), ABA All-Rookie First Team (1972), 3× ABA scoring champion, ABA All-Time Team, ABA All-time MVP
#BOTD Jim "Goose" Ligon, February 22, 1944 – April 17, 2004. A 6-7 forward from Kokomo, Indiana, he played for seven seasons in the ABA starting in 1967. He played for the Kentucky Colonels, Pittsburgh Condors, and Virginia Squires. 1969 ABA All-Star.
February 22, 2025 at 5:54 PM
#BOTD Jim "Goose" Ligon, February 22, 1944 – April 17, 2004. A 6-7 forward from Kokomo, Indiana, he played for seven seasons in the ABA starting in 1967. He played for the Kentucky Colonels, Pittsburgh Condors, and Virginia Squires. 1969 ABA All-Star.
#BOTD Chico Vaughn, February 19, 1940 – October 25, 2013. The 6-2 guard out of Southern Illinois played in the NBA for five seasons before jumping to the ABA in 1967. He playd for three seasons with the Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers. 1968 ABA All-Star, 1968 ABA Champion.
February 20, 2025 at 1:00 AM
#BOTD Chico Vaughn, February 19, 1940 – October 25, 2013. The 6-2 guard out of Southern Illinois played in the NBA for five seasons before jumping to the ABA in 1967. He playd for three seasons with the Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers. 1968 ABA All-Star, 1968 ABA Champion.
#BOTD Maurice Lucas, February 18, 1952 – October 31, 2010. The 6-9 PF/C out of Marquette began his professional career in the ABA, playing for the Spirits of St. Louis and the Kentucky Colonels. After the merger he enjoyed a long and successful NBA career, earning a ring with Portland in 1977.
February 19, 2025 at 1:13 AM
#BOTD Maurice Lucas, February 18, 1952 – October 31, 2010. The 6-9 PF/C out of Marquette began his professional career in the ABA, playing for the Spirits of St. Louis and the Kentucky Colonels. After the merger he enjoyed a long and successful NBA career, earning a ring with Portland in 1977.
50 years ago in the ABA, TSN 2/15/1975 ABA West column by Woodrow Paige
February 16, 2025 at 5:32 AM
50 years ago in the ABA, TSN 2/15/1975 ABA West column by Woodrow Paige
50 years ago in the ABA, TSN 2/15/1975 ABA East column by Jim O'Brien
February 16, 2025 at 5:31 AM
50 years ago in the ABA, TSN 2/15/1975 ABA East column by Jim O'Brien
#HBD Wali Jones, born February 14, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA. A Philly hoops legend who starred at Overbrook HS and Villanova and would win an NBA title with the 76ers, the 6-2 guard jumped to the ABA in 1974 and played one season with the Utah Stars.
February 14, 2025 at 6:56 PM
#HBD Wali Jones, born February 14, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA. A Philly hoops legend who starred at Overbrook HS and Villanova and would win an NBA title with the 76ers, the 6-2 guard jumped to the ABA in 1974 and played one season with the Utah Stars.
#HBD James Silas, born Feb 11, 1949 in Tallulah, LA. A 2x NAIA All-American, the 6-1 guard played for four seasons in the ABA with the Dallas Chaparrals / San Antonio Spurs and then enjoyed another six in the NBA after the merger. 2x ABA All-Star, ABA All-Time Team. His #13 is retired by the Spurs.
February 12, 2025 at 1:18 AM
#HBD James Silas, born Feb 11, 1949 in Tallulah, LA. A 2x NAIA All-American, the 6-1 guard played for four seasons in the ABA with the Dallas Chaparrals / San Antonio Spurs and then enjoyed another six in the NBA after the merger. 2x ABA All-Star, ABA All-Time Team. His #13 is retired by the Spurs.
#BOTD George Stone, February 9, 1946 – December 30, 1993. A 6-7 forward out of Marshall, he played for the Los Angeles/Utah Stars and Carolina Cougars. Ranks 10th in ABA history in 3-pt FG%. 1971 ABA Champion.
February 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
#BOTD George Stone, February 9, 1946 – December 30, 1993. A 6-7 forward out of Marshall, he played for the Los Angeles/Utah Stars and Carolina Cougars. Ranks 10th in ABA history in 3-pt FG%. 1971 ABA Champion.
#HBD Steve Chubin, born February 8, 1944 in New York City, NY. A 6-3 guard out of Rhode Island, he joined the ABA in 1967 and played with the Anaheim Amigos/Los Angeles Stars, Minnesota Pipers, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, Pittsburgh Pipers, and Kentucky Colonels.
February 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
#HBD Steve Chubin, born February 8, 1944 in New York City, NY. A 6-3 guard out of Rhode Island, he joined the ABA in 1967 and played with the Anaheim Amigos/Los Angeles Stars, Minnesota Pipers, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, Pittsburgh Pipers, and Kentucky Colonels.
#BOTD George Irvine, February 1, 1948 – May 8, 2017. A 6-6 forward out of the University of Washington, he played for six years in the ABA, five seasons with the Virginia Squires and one with the Denver Nuggets. He later coached Indiana and Detroit in the NBA.
February 2, 2025 at 2:27 AM
#BOTD George Irvine, February 1, 1948 – May 8, 2017. A 6-6 forward out of the University of Washington, he played for six years in the ABA, five seasons with the Virginia Squires and one with the Denver Nuggets. He later coached Indiana and Detroit in the NBA.
#BOTD Len Chappell, January 31, 1941 – July 12, 2018. After a highly decorated college career at Wake Forest, he went on to play in the NBA for 9 seasons before jumping to the ABA and playing for one season with the Dallas Chaparrals. His #50 is retired by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
February 1, 2025 at 1:36 AM
#BOTD Len Chappell, January 31, 1941 – July 12, 2018. After a highly decorated college career at Wake Forest, he went on to play in the NBA for 9 seasons before jumping to the ABA and playing for one season with the Dallas Chaparrals. His #50 is retired by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
#BOTD Charles Jordan, January 31, 1954 – November 10, 2023. A 6-8 forward out of Canisius, played in the ABA for one season with the Indiana Pacers.
February 1, 2025 at 1:32 AM
#BOTD Charles Jordan, January 31, 1954 – November 10, 2023. A 6-8 forward out of Canisius, played in the ABA for one season with the Indiana Pacers.
#HBD Henry Ward, born January 30, 1952 in Jackson, MS. The 6-4 guard out of Jackson State played for two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, one in the ABA and one in the NBA.
January 31, 2025 at 12:37 AM
#HBD Henry Ward, born January 30, 1952 in Jackson, MS. The 6-4 guard out of Jackson State played for two seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, one in the ABA and one in the NBA.
#BOTD Bobby Hogsett, January 29, 1941 – December 5, 1984. A 6-7 forward out of Tennessee, he played for one year in the NBA before jumping to the ABA in 1967, playing for the Pittsburgh Pipers. He died tragically after being shot while working at Virginia Tech. His killer was later declared insane.
January 30, 2025 at 3:24 AM
#BOTD Bobby Hogsett, January 29, 1941 – December 5, 1984. A 6-7 forward out of Tennessee, he played for one year in the NBA before jumping to the ABA in 1967, playing for the Pittsburgh Pipers. He died tragically after being shot while working at Virginia Tech. His killer was later declared insane.
#HBD Tom Hagan, born January 29, 1947 Louisville, KY. A 3x All-SEC at Vanderbilt, the 6-3 guard went on to play in the ABA for two seasons, seeing time with the Dallas / Texas Chaparrals and the Kentucky Colonels.
January 30, 2025 at 1:31 AM
#HBD Tom Hagan, born January 29, 1947 Louisville, KY. A 3x All-SEC at Vanderbilt, the 6-3 guard went on to play in the ABA for two seasons, seeing time with the Dallas / Texas Chaparrals and the Kentucky Colonels.