#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.

#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.

Dr. J 1975-76 New York Nets

Dr. J 1974-75 New York Nets

Dr. J 1973-74 New York Nets

Dr. J 1972-73 Virginia Squires

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

#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.

#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.

THE WAITING GAME is a new documentary about the long fight to get former ABA players their just due. It's currently being shown in select screenings around the country, or you can watch it for $10 (well worth it just to donate to such a worthy project) at www.thewaitinggamemovie.com

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

#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.

More Captain Late: bsky.app/profile/hoop...

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#HBD Marv Roberts, born January 29, 1950 in Brooklyn, NY. The 6-8 FWD starred at Utah State, where his number is now retired. He joined the ABA in 1971 and played for the Denver Rockets, Carolina Cougars, Kentucky Colonels, and Virginia Squires. After the merger, he played one season in the NBA.

#HBD Nate Barnett, born January 29, 1953 in Ibadan, Nigeria. The 6-3 guard out of the University of Akron played one season with the Indiana Pacers.

#BOTD Jim Caldwell, January 28, 1943 – April 6, 2023. The 6-10 center jumped to the ABA after playing two games in the NBA and played for the New Jersey Americans and Kentucky Colonels between 1967 and 1969.

#BOTD Sam Smith, January 27, 1943 – May 18, 2022. A 6-7 forward out of Kentucky Wesleyan, he played for four seasons in the ABA, with the Minnesota Muskies, Kentucky Colonels, and Utah Stars. 1971 ABA champion.

#HBD Hubie White, born January 26, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA. At Villanova, the 6-4 guard was named an All-American in 1962. He went on to play two seasons in the NBA, and then after a stint in the EPBL, he spent two seasons in the ABA, playing for the Miami Floridians and Pittsburgh Condors.

#HBD Vann Williford, born January 26, 1948 in Fayetteville, NC. A 6-6 forward out of NC State, he played in one season for the Carolina Cougars in 1970-71.

#HBD Bob Ford, born January 26, 1950 in Evansville, IN. At Purdue, the 6-7 forward was named All-Big 10 twice. He went on to play in 9 games for the Memphis Tams during the 1972-73 season.

#HBD Byron Beck, born January 25, 1945 in Ellensburg, WA. The 6-9 center is one of only six players to appear in every ABA season, all of them with the Denver Rockets/Nuggets. In 1977, he became the first player to have his jersey number (#40) retired by the Nuggets. 1969 ABA All-Star.

#BOTD Lonnie Wright, January 23, 1945 – March 23, 2012. A two-sport standout in high school, he would play two seasons in the American Football League while also playing in the ABA. Eventually dedicating himself to basketball full time, the 6-2 guard played for the Denver Rockets and The Floridians.

#HBD Bob McIntyre, born January 23, 1944 in Bayside, NY. A 6-6 forward out of St. John's, he joined the ABA in 1967 and played for the New Jersey Americans/New York Nets

#HBD Tom Hoover, born January 23, 1941 in Washington, D.C. After stints in the NBA and APBL, the 6-9 center out of Villanova jumped to the ABA in 1967 and played for the Denver Rockets, Houston Mavericks, Minnesota Pipers and New York Nets.

Woodrow Paige's ABA report, TSN 1/17/1976

Bob Fowler's ABA report, TSN 1/18/1969

TSN's ABA report 1/20/1973

Jim O'Brien's ABA column 51 years ago, 1/19/1974

Jim O'Brien's ABA report 50 years ago, TSN 1/18/1975

I spotted this in a FB group. Here are the voting totals for the ABA All-Time Team from 1997. Unanimous selections included Louie Dampier, Mel Daniels, Julius Erving, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, and Dan Issel.

#HBD Ervin Inniger, born January 16, 1945 in Berne, IN. The 6-4 guard out of Indiana played for two seasons with the Minnesota Muskies/Miami Floridians. Following his time in the ABA, he embarked on a long and distinguished career as a collegiate and high school coach and athletic director.

#BOTD Al Smith, January 15, 1947 – December 19, 2022. The 6-1 point guard out of Bradley spent five seasons in the ABA with the Denver Rockets and Utah Stars. He was the ABA assists leader in 1973-74 when he averaged 8.1 PG.

#BOTD Jim Hadnot, January 15, 1940 – August 2, 1998. After graduating from Providence as their all-time leader in points and rebounds, the 6-10 center played for the Oakland Oaks of the ABL before joining the ABA version in 1967. He was Jason Kidd's godfather.

#HBD Swen Nater, born January 14, 1950 in Den Helder, NL. Bill Walton's backup at UCLA, he joined the ABA in 1973. He was 1974 Rookie of the Year, a 2x ABA All-Star, and is the only man to lead both ABA and NBA in rebounds. Played for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Nets.

#BOTD Wayne Hightower, January 14, 1940 – April 18, 2002. After leaving Kentucky following his junior year, he played for one year in Spain, then had two stints in the NBA before joining the ABA in 1967. He played for the Denver Rockets, Los Angeles/Utah Stars, Texas Chaparrals and Carolina Cougars.

#HBD Art Becker, born January 12, 1942 in Akron, OH. The 6-7 forward was First Team All-WAC with Arizona State. He then played for six seasons in the ABA, with the Houston Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Denver Rockets, New York Nets, and Dallas Chaparrals. 1970 ABA Champion, 2x ABA All-Star.