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List of American Basketball Association awards and honors
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The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a professional basketball league that operated from the 1967–68 season 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 sports, 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 1972–73 season, 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.[1] 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.[2]
ABA championship
[edit]The American Basketball Association (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.[3] The league ceased operations in 1976 with the ABA–NBA merger and four teams from the ABA continued play in the National Basketball Association.[4]
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.[5][6] 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.[7][8] The New York Nets won their first championship in 1974 against the Utah Stars, and their second against the Denver Nuggets in 1976.[9][10]
The last ABA Finals were in 1976, after which the ABA–NBA merger took place;all four teams that continued into the NBA made it to or won the ABA Finals.[4]
Awards
[edit]| * | 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
[edit]The Most Valuable Player (MVP) was an annual award first awarded in the 1967–68 season. 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 Hawkins. 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 1974–75 season. 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 1969–70 season and Artis Gilmore in the 1971–72 season. With the announcement of McGinnis as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2017, every ABA MVP has been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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| Season | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 | Connie Hawkins* | F/C | Pittsburgh Pipers |
| 1968–69 | Mel Daniels* | C | Indiana Pacers |
| 1969–70 | Spencer Haywood* | F/C | Denver Rockets |
| 1970–71 | Mel Daniels* (2) | C | Indiana Pacers |
| 1971–72 | Artis Gilmore* | C | Kentucky Colonels |
| 1972–73 | Billy Cunningham* | G/F | Carolina Cougars |
| 1973–74 | Julius Erving* | F | New York Nets |
| 1974–75[a] | Julius Erving* (2) | F | New York Nets |
| George McGinnis* | F/C | Indiana Pacers | |
| 1975–76 | Julius Erving* (3) | F | New York Nets |
Rookie of the Year
[edit]The Rookie of the Year Award was an annual award first awarded in the 1967–68 season, to the top rookie(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 1969–70 season and Artis Gilmore in the 1971–72 season. Two Rookie of the Year winners have been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: 1970–71 Rookie of the Year Dan Issel and 1975–76 Rookie of the Year David Thompson. Issel and Charlie Scott were joint winners in the 1970–71 season.
Coach of the Year
[edit]The Coach of the Year was an annual award first awarded in the 1967–68 season, to the best head coach(es) 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 1969–70 season as well as Joe Mullaney and Babe McCarthy in the 1973–74 season. 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 |
| Division | Regular season finish in division |
| Season | Coach | Team | Win–loss | Win% | Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 | Vince Cazzetta | Pittsburgh Pipers | 54–24 | .692 | 1st (Eastern) |
| 1968–69 | Alex Hannum* | Oakland Oaks | 60–18 | .769 | 1st (Western) |
| 1969–70[a] | Bill Sharman* | Los Angeles Stars | 43–41 | .512 | 4th (Western) |
| Joe Belmont | Denver Rockets | 42–14 | .750 | 1st (Western) | |
| 1970–71 | Al Bianchi | Virginia Squires | 55–29 | .655 | 1st (Eastern) |
| 1971–72 | Tom Nissalke | Dallas Chaparrals | 42–42 | .500 | 3rd (Western) |
| 1972–73 | Larry Brown* | Carolina Cougars | 57–27 | .679 | 1st (Eastern) |
| 1973–74[a] | Babe McCarthy | Kentucky Colonels | 53–31 | .631 | 2nd (Eastern) |
| Joe Mullaney | Utah Stars | 51–33 | .607 | 1st (Western) | |
| 1974–75 | Larry Brown* (2) | Denver Nuggets | 65–19 | .774 | 1st (Western) |
| 1975–76 | Larry Brown* (3) | Denver Nuggets | 60–24 | .714 | None |
Playoffs MVP
[edit]The Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award was an annual award given in the ABA Playoffs. The award was first awarded in the 1968 ABA Playoffs, 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 won 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.
| Year | Player | Positions | Team | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Connie Hawkins* | F/C | Pittsburgh Pipers | [11] |
| 1969 | Warren Jabali | G/F | Oakland Oaks | [12] |
| 1970 | Roger Brown* | F/G | Indiana Pacers | [13] |
| 1971 | Zelmo Beaty* | C | Utah Stars | [14] |
| 1972 | Freddie Lewis | G | Indiana Pacers | [15] |
| 1973 | George McGinnis* | F/C | Indiana Pacers | [16] |
| 1974 | Julius Erving* | F | New York Nets | [1] |
| 1975 | Artis Gilmore* | C | Kentucky Colonels | [17] |
| 1976 | Julius Erving* (2) | F | New York Nets | [1] |
All-Star Game MVP
[edit]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 Game, 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.
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| Year | Player | Position | All-Star Team | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Larry Brown* | G | West (lost) | New Orleans Buccaneers |
| 1969 | John Beasley | F/C | West | Dallas Chaparrals |
| 1970 | Spencer Haywood* | F/C | West | Denver Rockets |
| 1971 | Mel Daniels* | C | West (lost) | Indiana Pacers |
| 1972 | Dan Issel* | C/F | East | Kentucky Colonels |
| 1973 | Warren Jabali | G/F | West | Denver Rockets |
| 1974 | Artis Gilmore* | C | East | Kentucky Colonels |
| 1975 | Freddie Lewis | G | East | Spirits of St. Louis |
| 1976 | David Thompson* | G/F | Denver | Denver Nuggets |
Executive of the Year
[edit]| Season | Executive | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1972–73 | Carl Scheer | Carolina Cougars |
| 1973–74 | Jack Ankerson | San Antonio Spurs |
| 1974–75 | Carl Scheer (2) | Denver Nuggets |
| 1975–76 | Carl Scheer (3) | Denver Nuggets |
- a Denotes the year in which joint winners were named for the respective award
Honors
[edit]| * | Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player has been selected |
All-ABA Team
[edit]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 1967–68. 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 1970–71 season when Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Zelmo Beaty and Dan Issel both were selected to the center position for the All-ABA Second Team.
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.
| 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 | Guard | Guard | Forward | Forward | Center | Guard | Guard | |
| 1967–68 | Connie Hawkins, Pittsburgh Pipers | Doug Moe, New Orleans Buccaneers | Mel Daniels, Minnesota Muskies | Larry Jones, Denver Rockets | Charlie Williams, Pittsburgh Pipers | Roger Brown, Indiana Pacers | Cincy Powell, Dallas Chaparrals | John Beasley, Dallas Chaparrals | Larry Brown, New Orleans Buccaneers | Louie Dampier, Kentucky Colonels |
| 1968–69 | Connie Hawkins, Minnesota Pipers (2) | Rick Barry, Oakland Oaks | Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (2) | Jimmy Jones, New Orleans Buccaneers | Larry Jones, Denver Rockets (2) | John Beasley, Dallas Chaparrals (2) | Doug Moe, Oakland Oaks (2) | Red Robbins, New Orleans Buccaneers | Donnie Freeman, Miami Floridians | Louie Dampier, Kentucky Colonels (2) |
| 1969–70 | Rick Barry, Washington Capitols (2) | Spencer Haywood, Denver Rockets | Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (3) | Bob Verga, Carolina Cougars | Larry Jones, Denver Rockets (3) | Roger Brown, Indiana Pacers (2) | Bob Netolicky, Indiana Pacers | Red Robbins, New Orleans Buccaneers (2) | Louie Dampier, Kentucky Colonels (3) | Donnie Freeman, Miami Floridians (2) |
| 1970–71 | Roger Brown, Indiana Pacers (3) | Rick Barry, New York Nets (3) | Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (4) | Mack Calvin, The Floridians | Charlie Scott, Virginia Squires | John Brisker, Pittsburgh Condors | Joe Caldwell, Carolina Cougars | Zelmo Beaty, Utah Stars (tie) | Donnie Freeman, Texas Chaparrals (3) | Larry Cannon, Denver Rockets |
| Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels (tie) | ||||||||||
| 1971–72 | Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels (2) | Rick Barry, New York Nets (4) | Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels | Donnie Freeman, Dallas Chaparrals (4) | Bill Melchionni, New York Nets | Willie Wise, Utah Stars | Julius Erving, Virginia Squires | Zelmo Beaty, Utah Stars (2) | Ralph Simpson, Denver Rockets | Charlie Scott, Virginia Squires (2) |
| 1972–73 | Billy Cunningham, Carolina Cougars | Julius Erving, Virginia Squires (2) | Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels (2) | Jimmy Jones, Utah Stars (2) | Warren Jabali, Denver Rockets | George McGinnis, Indiana Pacers | Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels (3) | Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers (5) | Ralph Simpson, Denver Rockets (2) | Mack Calvin, Carolina Cougars (2) |
| 1973–74 | 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, San Antonio Spurs | Ron Boone, Utah Stars | Louie Dampier, Kentucky Colonels (4) |
| 1974–75 | 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, Spirits of St. Louis | George Gervin, San Antonio Spurs | Swen Nater, San Antonio Spurs (2) | Brian Taylor, New York Nets | James Silas, San Antonio Spurs |
| 1975–76 | Julius Erving, New York Nets (5) | Billy Knight, Indiana Pacers | Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels (5) | James Silas, San Antonio Spurs (2) | Ralph Simpson, Denver Nuggets (3) | David Thompson, Denver Nuggets | Bobby Jones, Denver Nuggets | Dan Issel, Denver Nuggets (5) | Don Buse, Indiana Pacers | George Gervin, San Antonio Spurs (2) |
| Source:[18] | ||||||||||
All-Defensive Team
[edit]The All-Defensive Team was an annual honor bestowed on the best defensive players in the league from the 1972–73 season to the season when the league merged with the NBA. The All-Defensive Team was composed of a five-man lineup without regard to position. 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.
| Season | Selections | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–73 | Joe Caldwell | Mike Gale | Artis Gilmore* | Julius Keye | Fatty Taylor | Willie Wise |
| 1973–74 | Mike Gale (2) | Artis Gilmore (2)* | Julius Keye (2) | Ted McClain | Fatty Taylor (2) | Willie Wise (2) |
| 1974–75 | Don Buse | Artis Gilmore (3)* | Bobby Jones* | Wil Jones | Brian Taylor | The sixth player was not selected |
| 1975–76 | Don Buse (2) | Julius Erving* | Artis Gilmore (4)* | Bobby Jones (2) | Brian Taylor (2) | |
All-Rookie Team
[edit]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 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Julius Erving". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "ABA Year-to-Year Postseason Award Winners". Arthur Hundhausen. Archived from the original on December 24, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "1968 ABA Playoff Summary". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ a b "ABA History - The Original American Basketball Association". InsideHoops.com. 2004-02-12. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "1969 ABA Playoff Summary". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "1970 ABA Playoff Summary". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "1972 ABA Playoff Summary". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "1973 ABA Playoff Summary". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "1974 ABA Playoff Summary". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ Sports Reference LLC. "1976 ABA Playoff Summary". Basketball-reference.com. Retrieved 2008-05-19.
- ^ "Connie Hawkins". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "Warren Jabali". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "Roger Brown". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "Zelmo Beaty". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "Freddie Lewis". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "George McGinnis". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "Artis Gilmore". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ "NBA & ABA All-League Teams". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
List of American Basketball Association awards and honors
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The American Basketball Association (ABA), a professional men's basketball league that rivaled the National Basketball Association from 1967 to 1976, presented a series of annual awards and honors to celebrate outstanding individual and team achievements across its nine seasons.[1] These accolades highlighted the league's innovative style, which featured the three-point line, a colorful basketball, and high-flying play, and were given to players, coaches, and executives for outstanding individual and team achievements in regular-season, All-Star, and playoff contexts, as well as league management, before the ABA's merger with the NBA in 1976, through which four ABA franchises joined the established league.[2]
The core awards included the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the regular season, which recognized the league's top performer—such as Mel Daniels, who won it twice in the late 1960s and early 1970s—the Playoffs MVP, awarded to the standout in the postseason championship, like Julius Erving's multiple honors in the mid-1970s, and the Executive of the Year, which honored top team managers such as Carl Scheer.[3][4][5] Complementing these were the All-Star Game MVP, given to the best player in the annual midseason exhibition starting in 1968, with winners including Spencer Haywood and David Thompson, and the Rookie of the Year, which spotlighted emerging talents like Spencer Haywood in 1969-70 and Marvin Barnes in 1974-75.[6][7] The Coach of the Year award, first presented in 1967-68, honored innovative leaders such as Larry Brown, who received it three times in the 1970s for guiding teams like the Carolina Cougars and Denver Nuggets to success.[8]
Beyond these major individual honors, the ABA recognized broader excellence through selections like the All-ABA First and Second Teams, which annually named the league's elite players—featuring stars such as Artis Gilmore and George McGinnis—and the All-Defensive Team, introduced in the early 1970s to acknowledge defensive standouts amid the league's fast-paced, offense-oriented reputation.[9] These awards not only defined the ABA's legacy of athleticism and flair but also integrated into NBA records post-merger, ensuring enduring recognition for recipients who shaped professional basketball's evolution.[10]
The Indiana Pacers claimed three titles, the most in ABA history, while the New York Nets secured two. The Kentucky Colonels finished the 1974–75 regular season with a 58–26 record, the best in the Eastern Division, en route to their championship.[14][15]
Following the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, the Playoffs MVP award was discontinued as a separate honor, with the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award continuing in the unified league to recognize similar postseason achievements. Many ABA Playoffs MVP winners, including Erving, McGinnis, and Gilmore, transitioned to the NBA and built lasting legacies there, often earning All-Star selections and further accolades that affirmed their elite status.[4]
Stats sourced from official box scores; MVPs and game details confirmed via historical records.[16][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][17][18]
Mel Daniels secured the award twice, in 1968–69 and 1970–71, while establishing himself as the ABA's premier rebounder with three league-leading seasons, including a dominant 18.0 rebounds per game average during his second MVP year that underscored his control of the boards and interior play.[3][26] Julius Erving captured the honor three times from 1973–74 to 1975–76, tying with George McGinnis in the only shared MVP in ABA history during 1974–75; Erving's wins highlighted his scoring prowess and athletic versatility. Billy Cunningham's 1972–73 victory marked him as a multifaceted forward whose leadership propelled the Carolina Cougars, and like most MVPs, he earned All-ABA First Team recognition that season.[3]
Notable among these winners was Spencer Haywood in 1969–70, who not only claimed the award but also led the entire ABA in both scoring (30.0 PPG) and rebounding (19.5 RPG), setting single-season records for total rebounds (1,637) that still stand. The award was unique in allowing ties, as seen in 1970–71 with Scott and Issel, both of whom earned All-ABA honors in their rookie campaigns. Unlike the partial inaugural ABA season in late 1967, which lacked formal awards due to the league's formation, the Rookie of the Year began in the full 1967–68 schedule. Recipients were often selected alongside the All-Rookie Team, which honored a broader group of promising newcomers.[37]
Following the 1976 ABA-NBA merger, many Rookie of the Year winners transitioned seamlessly to the NBA, achieving stardom and underscoring the award's predictive value for elite talent. Haywood, Issel, Gilmore, Scott, and Thompson each earned multiple NBA All-Star selections, with Issel, Gilmore, and Haywood later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for their combined ABA-NBA contributions. Daniels and Thompson also enjoyed All-NBA recognition, while Barnes and Nater provided solid frontcourt production despite shorter peaks. Jabali and Taylor had respectable NBA tenures, though limited by injuries and competition. Overall, eight of the ten winners (excluding ties) played at least five NBA seasons, amassing over 100,000 combined regular-season minutes.[7]
[8][39]
Larry Brown stands out as the only coach to win the award multiple times, earning it three times for his work with the Carolina Cougars in 1972–73 and the Denver Nuggets in both 1974–75 and 1975–76, during which his teams achieved some of the league's highest winning percentages and showcased tactical adaptability in the ABA's emphasis on speed and three-point shooting.[40] Only the first two recipients, Cazzetta and Hannum, led their teams to ABA championships in the same season, highlighting how the award often rewarded regular-season turnarounds rather than postseason dominance.[41] The ABA's coaching landscape prized innovations like the fast break to exploit the league's 30-second shot clock and wider-open play, influencing recipients' selections for elevating underdog franchises.
Several players earned multi-year honors, reflecting consistent defensive dominance: Artis Gilmore appeared on all four teams, Willie Wise and Mike Gale each made two consecutive selections from 1972–73 to 1973–74, as did Fatty Taylor.[48] These athletes embodied the ABA's preference for versatile, athletic defenders who could switch, contest shots, and initiate fast breaks with steals.[48] Some overlap existed with the All-ABA Team, as top overall performers like Julius Erving combined elite defense with scoring prowess.[48]
The team was honored during the ABA Reunion event in Indianapolis on August 23, 1997, marking the league's 30th anniversary, with no subsequent expansions or additional selections made. Among the honorees are pioneers like Connie Hawkins, whose aerial acrobatics influenced modern basketball, and several members who seamlessly transitioned to NBA stardom post-merger, including Erving, Gervin, and Malone, helping bridge the ABA's legacy into the NBA era.[56][57][58]
Championships and Major Postseason Awards
ABA Championship
The ABA Championship was the annual postseason title contested by the winner of the American Basketball Association playoffs, determining the league's champion from the 1967–68 season through the 1975–76 season.[1] The finals adopted a best-of-seven series format from the outset, with the higher-seeded team hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 if necessary.[11] Over nine seasons, the championship highlighted the ABA's competitive style, featuring high-scoring games and innovative play that influenced the merged NBA. The league's dissolution came with its 1976 merger into the NBA, folding seven teams while four—including the final champions, the New York Nets—joined the established league, carrying forward ABA legacies like the three-point line and dunk contest. The ABA recognized the Playoffs Most Valuable Player starting in 1968 for outstanding performance in the postseason. The following table lists all ABA champions, including the winning team, runner-up, series outcome, and location of the decisive game:| Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Series Result | Decisive Game Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 | Pittsburgh Pipers | New Orleans Buccaneers | 4–3 | Pittsburgh (Game 7) |
| 1968–69 | Oakland Oaks | Indiana Pacers | 4–1 | Oakland (Game 5) [12] |
| 1969–70 | Indiana Pacers | Los Angeles Stars | 4–2 | Indianapolis (Game 6) [13] |
| 1970–71 | Utah Stars | Kentucky Colonels | 4–3 | Salt Lake City (Game 7) |
| 1971–72 | Indiana Pacers | New York Nets | 4–2 | Indianapolis (Game 6) |
| 1972–73 | Indiana Pacers | Kentucky Colonels | 4–3 | Indianapolis (Game 7) |
| 1973–74 | New York Nets | Utah Stars | 4–1 | New York (Game 5) |
| 1974–75 | Kentucky Colonels | Indiana Pacers | 4–1 | Louisville (Game 5) |
| 1975–76 | New York Nets | Denver Nuggets | 4–2 | New York (Game 6) |
Playoffs Most Valuable Player
The ABA Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award was an annual honor in the American Basketball Association (ABA), given from 1968 to 1976 to the player judged to have the greatest impact during the league's postseason tournament. The award highlighted individual excellence in high-stakes playoff games, often emphasizing contributions in the championship series that helped propel a team toward the ABA title. It was first presented in 1968 to Connie Hawkins of the Pittsburgh Pipers.[4] Julius Erving holds the distinction of being the only multiple-time winner, earning the honor in 1974 and 1976 while leading the New York Nets to championships both years; his explosive scoring and athleticism exemplified the award's focus on transformative playoff performances. Other recipients included standout centers and forwards who dominated rebounding and scoring, reflecting the ABA's emphasis on versatile big men and dynamic wings during its existence. In the ABA era, the award typically went to players on the championship-winning team.[4] The full list of ABA Playoffs MVP winners, including their teams and key playoff averages for points (PPG), rebounds (RPG), and assists (APG), is presented below. These statistics underscore the recipients' roles as scoring leaders and facilitators in intense playoff series, with all data reflecting per-game averages across their postseason appearances that year. The Pacers had multiple winners, the most in award history.[4]| Year | Player | Team | PPG | RPG | APG | Team Won Championship? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Connie Hawkins | Pittsburgh Pipers | 29.9 | 12.3 | 4.6 | Yes |
| 1969 | Warren Jabali | Oakland Oaks | 28.8 | 12.9 | 2.9 | Yes |
| 1970 | Roger Brown | Indiana Pacers | 28.5 | 10.1 | 5.6 | Yes |
| 1971 | Zelmo Beaty | Utah Stars | 23.2 | 14.6 | 2.4 | Yes |
| 1972 | Freddie Lewis | Indiana Pacers | 19.2 | 4.1 | 4.4 | Yes |
| 1973 | George McGinnis | Indiana Pacers | 23.9 | 12.3 | 2.2 | Yes |
| 1974 | Julius Erving | New York Nets | 27.9 | 9.6 | 4.8 | Yes |
| 1975 | Artis Gilmore | Kentucky Colonels | 24.1 | 17.6 | 2.5 | Yes |
| 1976 | Julius Erving | New York Nets | 34.7 | 12.6 | 4.9 | Yes |
All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
The All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the American Basketball Association (ABA) honored the standout performer in the league's annual midseason exhibition contest, featuring All-Stars from the Eastern and Western Divisions from 1968 to 1976. These games highlighted the ABA's high-flying, innovative style of play, with the MVP recognized for exceptional contributions in a single, fast-paced matchup. The award debuted in the inaugural 1968 game, underscoring the league's emphasis on celebrating individual excellence amid its competition with the NBA.[16] The MVP was named based on on-court performance, often emphasizing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking in the context of the game's competitive format. Venues varied across the U.S., drawing crowds to showcase stars like future Hall of Famers, and the contests typically featured loose defensive rules that led to high totals, such as the 1975 East victory at 151–124, the highest-scoring ABA All-Star Game. The 1976 edition, the final one before the ABA–NBA merger, incorporated a slam-dunk contest won by Julius Erving and extended late into the night due to pre-game entertainment.[16][17][18] The following table lists all ABA All-Star Game MVPs, including key game details and performance stats:| Year | Date | Location | MVP | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Other Stats | Final Score (Winner) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Jan 9 | Hinkle Field House, Indianapolis, IN | Larry Brown | New Orleans Buccaneers | 17 | 3 | 5 | 7/9 FG, 1/1 FT, 22 min | East 126–120 West |
| 1969 | Jan 28 | Convention Center, Louisville, KY | John Beasley | Dallas Chaparrals | 19 | 14 | 2 | 8/12 FG, 3/3 FT, 29 min | West 133–127 East |
| 1970 | Jan 24 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, IN | Spencer Haywood | Denver Rockets | 23 | 19 | 2 | 10/19 FG, 3/4 FT, 39 min | West 128–98 East |
| 1971 | Jan 23 | Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC | Mel Daniels | Indiana Pacers | 29 | 13 | 3 | 12/19 FG, 5/7 FT, 30 min | East 126–122 West |
| 1972 | Jan 29 | Freedom Hall, Louisville, KY | Dan Issel | Kentucky Colonels | 21 | 9 | 5 | 9/13 FG, 3/4 FT, 23 min | East 142–115 West |
| 1973 | Feb 6 | Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, UT | Warren Jabali | Denver Rockets | 16 | 4 | 7 | 7/12 FG, 1/3 FT, 31 min | West 123–111 East |
| 1974 | Jan 30 | Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, VA | Artis Gilmore | Kentucky Colonels | 18 | 13 | 1 | 8/12 FG, 2/3 FT, 27 min | East 128–112 West |
| 1975 | Jan 28 | HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, TX | Freddie Lewis | Spirits of St. Louis | 26 | 5 | 10 | 11/15 FG, 3/3 FT, 33 min | East 151–124 West |
| 1976 | Jan 27 | McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO | David Thompson | Denver Nuggets | 29 | 8 | 2 | 9/18 FG, 11/13 FT, 34 min | West 144–138 East |
Regular Season Awards
Most Valuable Player
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the American Basketball Association (ABA) was presented each regular season to the player deemed to have the greatest overall impact on his team and the league, starting with the inaugural 1967–68 campaign. Selection was based on a combination of statistical performance, leadership qualities, and contributions to team success, with votes cast by ABA players and sportswriters.[3] The following table lists all ABA MVP winners from 1967–68 through the league's final 1975–76 season:| Season | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 | Connie Hawkins | Pittsburgh Pipers |
| 1968–69 | Mel Daniels | Indiana Pacers |
| 1969–70 | Spencer Haywood | Denver Rockets |
| 1970–71 | Mel Daniels | Indiana Pacers |
| 1971–72 | Artis Gilmore | Kentucky Colonels |
| 1972–73 | Billy Cunningham | Carolina Cougars |
| 1973–74 | Julius Erving | New York Nets |
| 1974–75 | Julius Erving | New York Nets |
| 1974–75 | George McGinnis | Indiana Pacers |
| 1975–76 | Julius Erving | New York Nets |
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year award in the American Basketball Association (ABA) recognized the most outstanding player in their debut professional season, emphasizing immediate contributions such as scoring, rebounding, and overall impact on team performance. Established with the league's inaugural 1967–68 season, the award was determined by a vote among ABA players, focusing exclusively on individuals with no prior professional basketball experience, including those bypassing traditional NBA draft eligibility rules through the ABA's more flexible territorial and expansion drafts.[1] This honor highlighted the ABA's role in accelerating careers for college standouts and international talents, often rewarding versatile performers who elevated their teams' competitiveness right away. The following table lists all ABA Rookie of the Year winners from 1967–68 to 1975–76, the league's final season before its 1976 merger with the NBA. Key statistics include per-game averages for points (PPG), rebounds (RPG), and assists (APG) where applicable, drawn from regular-season performance. Draft status notes the player's selection in the concurrent NBA draft (if eligible) and ABA draft or territorial pick.| Season | Player(s) | Team | Key Stats | Draft Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 | Mel Daniels | Minnesota Muskies | 22.2 PPG, 15.6 RPG | 9th overall (1967 NBA, San Francisco Warriors); 1st overall (1967 ABA, Minnesota Muskies)[27] |
| 1968–69 | Warren Jabali | Oakland Oaks | 21.5 PPG, 9.7 RPG | Undrafted (1968 NBA); ABA free agent signing[28] |
| 1969–70 | Spencer Haywood | Denver Rockets | 30.0 PPG, 19.5 RPG | Ineligible (1969 NBA, due to early college entry); 1st overall (1969 ABA, Denver Rockets)[29] |
| 1970–71 | Charlie Scott (tie) | Virginia Squires | 27.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.6 APG | 4th overall (1970 NBA, Boston Celtics); 3rd overall (1970 ABA, Virginia Squires)[30] |
| 1970–71 | Dan Issel (tie) | Kentucky Colonels | 29.9 PPG, 13.2 RPG | 8th overall (1970 NBA, Detroit Pistons); Territorial pick (1970 ABA, Kentucky Colonels)[31] |
| 1971–72 | Artis Gilmore | Kentucky Colonels | 23.8 PPG, 17.8 RPG | Undrafted (1971 NBA); Territorial pick (1971 ABA, Kentucky Colonels)[32] |
| 1972–73 | Brian Taylor | New York Nets | 15.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.8 APG | 14th overall (1972 NBA, Seattle SuperSonics); 5th overall (1972 ABA, New York Nets)[33] |
| 1973–74 | Swen Nater | San Antonio Spurs | 14.1 PPG, 12.6 RPG | 4th round (55th overall, 1973 NBA, Los Angeles Lakers); 1st overall (1973 ABA, Virginia Squires, traded to San Antonio)[34] |
| 1974–75 | Marvin Barnes | Spirits of St. Louis | 24.0 PPG, 15.6 RPG | 2nd overall (1974 NBA, Boston Celtics); Territorial pick (1974 ABA, Spirits of St. Louis)[35] |
| 1975–76 | David Thompson | Denver Nuggets | 26.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 APG | 1st overall (1975 NBA, Buffalo Braves); Territorial pick (1975 ABA, Denver Nuggets)[36] |
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year award in the American Basketball Association (ABA) recognized the head coach whose leadership most significantly contributed to their team's regular-season performance, often emphasizing improvements in team records, high winning percentages, and innovative strategic impacts such as adapting to the league's fast-paced, high-scoring style.[8] The award was selected through voting by media members covering the league, similar to contemporary processes for recognizing coaching excellence in professional basketball.[38] It was presented annually from the 1967–68 season through the league's final 1975–76 campaign, with two seasons featuring ties among recipients. The following table lists all ABA Coach of the Year winners, including their team's regular-season record and playoff outcome:| Season | Coach(es) | Team(s) | Record (W-L) | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 | Vince Cazzetta | Pittsburgh Pipers | 54–24 | Won ABA Championship |
| 1968–69 | Alex Hannum | Oakland Oaks | 60–18 | Won ABA Championship |
| 1969–70 | Bill Sharman (tie) Joe Belmont (tie) | Los Angeles Stars Denver Rockets | 43–41 42–14 | Lost ABA Finals (to Indiana Pacers) Lost Division Semifinals (to Indiana Pacers) |
| 1970–71 | Al Bianchi | Virginia Squires | 55–29 | Lost Division Finals (to Kentucky Colonels) |
| 1971–72 | Tom Nissalke | Dallas Chaparrals | 42–42 | Lost Division Semifinals (to Utah Stars) |
| 1972–73 | Larry Brown | Carolina Cougars | 57–27 | Lost Division Finals (to Kentucky Colonels) |
| 1973–74 | Joe Mullaney (tie) Babe McCarthy (tie) | Utah Stars Kentucky Colonels | 51–33 53–31 | Lost ABA Finals (to New York Nets) Won ABA Championship |
| 1974–75 | Larry Brown | Denver Nuggets | 65–19 | Lost ABA Finals (to Kentucky Colonels) |
| 1975–76 | Larry Brown | Denver Nuggets | 60–24 | Lost ABA Finals (to New York Nets) |
Executive of the Year
The Executive of the Year award in the American Basketball Association (ABA), presented by The Sporting News, recognized front-office leaders for their contributions to team performance, organizational stability, and innovative management practices during the league's final seasons. Introduced in the 1972–73 season amid the ABA's ongoing financial difficulties and competitive pressures, the award highlighted executives who enhanced franchise viability and on-court success, often through strategic player acquisitions, financial stewardship, and preparations for the eventual 1976 NBA merger. It was a rare honor, bestowed only four times to two individuals, underscoring the emphasis on behind-the-scenes leadership distinct from tactical coaching roles.[37][5] The award criteria focused on measurable impacts such as win-loss records, roster building, and broader league contributions, with selections made by Sporting News staff based on executive-driven achievements rather than player or coach efforts. In the ABA's turbulent environment, marked by franchise relocations and monetary losses exceeding $20 million annually by the mid-1970s, recipients exemplified efforts to sustain operations and position teams for post-merger success. This distinction from awards like Coach of the Year lay in its operational scope, prioritizing administrative decisions over game strategies.[37][42]| Season | Executive | Team | Key Accomplishments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–73 | Carl Scheer | Carolina Cougars | Led the team to the ABA's best regular-season record of 57–27 (.679 win percentage), establishing a model of efficient management during the league's expansion phase.[5][43] |
| 1973–74 | Jack Ankerson | San Antonio Spurs | Guided the franchise to a 45–39 record (.536 win percentage) in its inaugural season after relocating from Dallas, stabilizing operations and fostering early competitiveness.[5][44][45] |
| 1974–75 | Carl Scheer | Denver Nuggets | Orchestrated a league-best 65–19 record (.774 win percentage), including key acquisitions like drafting David Thompson and relocating Dan Issel to bolster the roster.[5][42][46] |
| 1975–76 | Carl Scheer | Denver Nuggets | Delivered a 60–24 record (.714 win percentage) while negotiating the ABA-NBA merger terms, ensuring the Nuggets' seamless transition and inventing the Slam Dunk Contest to boost league visibility.[5][42][47] |
All-League Selections
All-ABA Team
The All-ABA Team recognized the top performers in the American Basketball Association during the regular season, comprising a First Team and a Second Team of five players each, for a total of 10 honorees. These selections highlighted players' overall contributions, including scoring, rebounding, assists, and defensive impact, and were announced annually from the league's inaugural 1967–68 season through its final 1975–76 campaign before merging with the NBA.[9] The format emphasized positional balance, typically featuring two guards, two forwards, and one center per team, distinguishing it from positionless selections in some other leagues.[9] Ties occasionally occurred, as in the 1970–71 season when centers Zelmo Beaty and Dan Issel shared the Second Team spot.[9] Players like Julius Erving exemplified the award's prestige, earning First Team honors in four consecutive seasons (1972–73 through 1975–76) and underscoring the forward position's prominence amid the league's high-flying, offense-oriented style.[9] Many league MVPs, including Erving and Mel Daniels, routinely landed on the First Team, reflecting the overlap between individual excellence and team recognition.[9] The following tables detail the yearly All-ABA Team selections, including positions and teams at the time of selection.1967–68 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Hawkins | F | Pittsburgh Pipers |
| Doug Moe | F | Oakland Oaks |
| Mel Daniels | C | Minnesota Muskies |
| Larry Jones | G | Denver Rockets |
| Charlie Williams | G | Pittsburgh Pipers |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Brown | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Cincy Powell | F | Dallas Chaparrals |
| John Beasley | C | Dallas Chaparrals |
| Larry Brown | G | New Orleans Buccaneers |
| Louie Dampier | G | Kentucky Colonels |
1968–69 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Hawkins | F | Minnesota Pipers |
| Rick Barry | F | Oakland Oaks |
| Mel Daniels | C | Indiana Pacers |
| Jimmy Jones | G | Denver Rockets |
| Larry Jones | G | Denver Rockets |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| John Beasley | F | Houston Mavericks |
| Doug Moe | F | Oakland Oaks |
| Red Robbins | C | New Orleans Buccaneers |
| Donnie Freeman | G | Miami Floridians |
| Louie Dampier | G | Kentucky Colonels |
1969–70 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Rick Barry | F | New York Nets |
| Spencer Haywood | F | Denver Rockets |
| Mel Daniels | C | Indiana Pacers |
| Larry Jones | G | Denver Rockets |
| Bob Verga | G | Carolina Cougars |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Brown | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Bob Netolicky | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Red Robbins | C | New Orleans Buccaneers |
| Louie Dampier | G | Kentucky Colonels |
| Donnie Freeman | G | Texas Chaparrals |
1970–71 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Rick Barry | F | New York Nets |
| Roger Brown | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Mel Daniels | C | Indiana Pacers |
| Mack Calvin | G | Miami Floridians |
| Charlie Scott | G | Virginia Squires |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| John Brisker | F | Pittsburgh Pipers |
| Joe Caldwell | F | Carolina Cougars |
| Zelmo Beaty (tie) | C | Utah Stars |
| Dan Issel (tie) | C | Kentucky Colonels |
| Donnie Freeman | G | Texas Chaparrals |
| Larry Cannon | G | Denver Rockets |
1971–72 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Rick Barry | F | New York Nets |
| Dan Issel | F | Kentucky Colonels |
| Artis Gilmore | C | Kentucky Colonels |
| Donnie Freeman | G | Utah Stars |
| Bill Melchionni | G | New York Nets |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Erving | F | Virginia Squires |
| Willie Wise | F | Utah Stars |
| Zelmo Beaty | C | Utah Stars |
| Charlie Scott | G | Virginia Squires |
| Ralph Simpson | G | Denver Rockets |
1972–73 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Billy Cunningham | F | Carolina Cougars |
| Julius Erving | F | Virginia Squires |
| Artis Gilmore | C | Kentucky Colonels |
| Warren Jabali | G | Denver Rockets |
| Jimmy Jones | G | Utah Stars |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| George McGinnis | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Dan Issel | F | Kentucky Colonels |
| Mel Daniels | C | Indiana Pacers |
| Mack Calvin | G | Carolina Cougars |
| Ralph Simpson | G | Denver Rockets |
1973–74 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Erving | F | New York Nets |
| George McGinnis | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Artis Gilmore | C | Kentucky Colonels |
| Mack Calvin | G | Carolina Cougars |
| Jimmy Jones | G | Utah Stars |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Issel | F | Kentucky Colonels |
| Willie Wise | F | Utah Stars |
| Swen Nater | C | San Antonio Spurs |
| Ron Boone | G | Utah Stars |
| Louie Dampier | G | Kentucky Colonels |
1974–75 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Erving | F | New York Nets |
| George McGinnis | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Artis Gilmore | C | Kentucky Colonels |
| Ron Boone | G | Utah Stars |
| Mack Calvin | G | Denver Rockets |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Marvin Barnes | F | Spirits of St. Louis |
| George Gervin | F | San Antonio Spurs |
| Swen Nater | C | San Antonio Spurs |
| James Silas | G | San Antonio Spurs |
| Brian Taylor | G | New York Nets |
1975–76 Season
| First Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Erving | F | New York Nets |
| Billy Knight | F | Indiana Pacers |
| Artis Gilmore | C | Kentucky Colonels |
| James Silas | G | San Antonio Spurs |
| Ralph Simpson | G | Denver Nuggets |
| Second Team | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Bobby Jones | F | Denver Nuggets |
| David Thompson | F | Denver Nuggets |
| Dan Issel | C | Denver Nuggets |
| Don Buse | G | Indiana Pacers |
| George Gervin | G | San Antonio Spurs |
All-Defensive Team
The All-Defensive Team was an annual recognition in the American Basketball Association (ABA) that honored the league's premier defensive performers, commencing in the 1972–73 season and concluding with the 1975–76 season prior to the league's merger with the National Basketball Association.[48] Unlike the broader All-ABA Team, which balanced offensive and defensive contributions, the All-Defensive Team focused exclusively on defensive excellence, selecting five players league-wide based on voting that considered steals, blocks, rebounding, and overall impact on slowing opponents.[48] This smaller pool of honorees—typically three guards and two forwards or centers—underscored the ABA's style, which valued athletic defenders capable of thriving in a high-tempo, transition-oriented game.[48] Selections were determined by ABA head coaches, who evaluated players' ability to disrupt plays and protect the rim or perimeter.[48] Steals and blocks, officially tracked starting in the 1973–74 season, became key metrics, with honorees often ranking among league leaders; for instance, guards like Don Buse and Brian Taylor topped steals charts while contributing to team defensive ratings.[49] Centers such as Artis Gilmore exemplified rim protection, leading the ABA in blocks during the 1974–75 season with 3.1 per game across 84 appearances.[50] The following table lists the All-Defensive Team selections by season, including player positions, teams, and representative defensive stats where available (steals and blocks per game; note that pre-1973–74 data for these stats is unavailable). Ties occasionally expanded the roster to six players.[48]| Season | Players (Position, Team) | Notable Defensive Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 1972–73 | Mike Gale (G, Virginia Squires) Artis Gilmore (C, Kentucky Colonels) Fatty Taylor (G, Virginia Squires) Willie Wise (F, Utah Stars) Joe Caldwell (F, Carolina Cougars) Julius Keye (F, Utah Stars) (tie) | No steals/blocks tracked; Wise averaged 10.6 rebounds per game.[51] |
| 1973–74 | Mike Gale (G, Virginia Squires) (tie) Artis Gilmore (C, Kentucky Colonels) Julius Keye (F, Utah Stars) Ted McClain (G, Kentucky Colonels) Fatty Taylor (G, Virginia Squires) (tie) Willie Wise (F, Utah Stars) | McClain: 3.0 steals, 0.3 blocks per game (league steals leader with 250 total).[52] Gilmore: 0.7 steals, 3.4 blocks per game. |
| 1974–75 | Don Buse (G, Indiana Pacers) Artis Gilmore (C, Kentucky Colonels) Bobby Jones (F, Denver Nuggets) Wil Jones (F, Utah Stars) Brian Taylor (G, New York Nets) | Taylor: 2.8 steals, 0.2 blocks per game (league steals leader with 221 total).[52] Gilmore: 0.8 steals, 3.1 blocks per game (league blocks leader).[50] Buse: 2.5 steals per game.[53] |
| 1975–76 | Don Buse (G, Indiana Pacers) Julius Erving (F, New York Nets) Artis Gilmore (C, Kentucky Colonels) Bobby Jones (F, Denver Nuggets) Brian Taylor (G, Denver Nuggets) | Buse: 4.1 steals, 0.2 blocks per game (league steals leader with 346 total).[52] Erving: 2.5 steals, 1.6 blocks per game.[2] Gilmore: 0.7 steals, 2.4 blocks per game.[2] |
All-Rookie Team
The All-Rookie Team in the American Basketball Association (ABA) was an annual honor that recognized the top five first-year players for their on-court impact during the league's nine seasons from 1967–68 to 1975–76. These selections spotlighted emerging talents who contributed significantly to their teams' performances, often in scoring, rebounding, or defensive roles, and served as an early indicator of future stardom in professional basketball. Unlike some other ABA honors, the All-Rookie Team did not distinguish between first and second teams in any season, focusing instead on a single quintet of standouts each year.[54] Many honorees advanced to All-ABA First Team selections in subsequent seasons, underscoring the award's role in identifying elite prospects; notable examples include Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore, and George McGinnis from the 1971–72 team, all of whom became Hall of Famers after the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The Rookie of the Year award winner frequently anchored the All-Rookie Team, as seen with Mel Daniels (1967–68) and Spencer Haywood (1969–70). Standouts like Moses Malone, selected in 1974–75 with the Utah Stars, exemplified the award's prestige by averaging 18.8 points and 14.6 rebounds per game in his debut season, earning an ABA All-Star nod as well.[55] The league's expansion from 11 teams in its inaugural 1967–68 season to 19 by 1972–73 influenced the talent pool, but the All-Rookie Team consistently featured five players without variation in size. Below is a complete list of selections by season, including positions and teams:ABA All-Time Team
The ABA All-Time Team was selected in 1997 as a retrospective honor recognizing the most influential players from the American Basketball Association's nine-season history (1967–1976), with selections based on criteria emphasizing innovation, on-court impact, and contributions to the league's fast-paced, high-scoring style of play. A panel of 50 ABA experts—including former sportswriters, broadcasters, referees, executives, team owners, and fans—voted on the roster, excluding input from players to ensure objectivity; prominent voters included Bob Costas, Peter Vecsey, and Rudy Martzke. Julius Erving received 46 votes to be named the All-Time MVP for his dominant scoring and rebounding with the Virginia Squires and New York Nets, while Bobby "Slick" Leonard earned 34 votes as the All-Time Coach for leading the Indiana Pacers to three titles.[56] The 30-player roster comprises guards, forwards, and centers who exemplified the ABA's flair for athleticism and creativity, with 10 receiving unanimous votes. Many members were multiple-time selections to the annual All-ABA Team during their careers. The full list, including positions and representative notable ABA achievements where applicable, is as follows:| Player | Position | Notable ABA Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Rick Barry | F | ABA scoring leader (1968–69); led Oakland Oaks to championship |
| Louie Dampier | G | Unanimous selection; ABA All-Star (7x); Kentucky Colonels scoring leader |
| Dan Issel | F/C | Unanimous selection; ABA scoring leader (1972–73); led Kentucky Colonels to finals |
| Bob Netolicky | F/C | ABA champion (1970, 1972–73) with Indiana Pacers |
| Marvin Barnes | F | ABA All-Star (4x); rebounding leader (1974–75) |
| Mel Daniels | C | Unanimous selection; ABA MVP (1969–70); rebounding leader (4x) |
| Warren Jabali (Jabbar) | G/F | ABA scoring leader (1970–71); All-Star (5x) |
| Billy Paultz | C/F | ABA All-Star (3x); key contributor to New York Nets championship (1974) |
| Zelmo Beaty | C | ABA scoring leader (1968–69); All-Star (2x) |
| Julius Erving | F | Unanimous selection; All-Time MVP; ABA MVP (1974–76); scoring leader (1973–74) |
| Jimmy Jones | G | ABA assists leader (1970–71); All-Star (5x) |
| Charlie Scott | G/F | ABA scoring leader (1971–72); All-Star (3x) |
| Ron Boone | G | ABA All-Star (5x); steals leader (1973–74) |
| Donnie Freeman | F | ABA rebounding leader (1968–69) |
| Freddie Lewis | G | ABA All-Star (5x); steals leader (1975–76) |
| James Silas | G | ABA assists leader (1973–74); All-Star (4x) |
| Roger Brown | F | ABA All-Star (6x); key to Indiana Pacers' early success |
| George Gervin | G/F | Unanimous selection; ABA scoring leader (1974–75) |
| Maurice Lucas | F/C | ABA All-Star (2x); rebounding contributor for Kentucky Colonels |
| David Thompson | G/F | ABA Rookie of the Year (1975–76); scoring standout for Denver Nuggets |
| Mack Calvin | G | ABA assists leader (1971–72); All-Star (5x) |
| Artis Gilmore | C | Unanimous selection; ABA MVP (1972); rebounding leader (5x) |
| Moses Malone | C | ABA MVP (1975–76); rebounding leader (3x) |
| Willie Wise | F | ABA All-Star (5x); defensive standout for Utah Stars |
| Darrel Carrier | F/C | ABA rebounding leader (1970–71) |
| Connie Hawkins | F/C | ABA scoring leader (1968); pioneer of above-the-rim play |
| George McGinnis | F | Unanimous selection; ABA MVP (1973); scoring and rebounding leader |
| Billy Cunningham | F | ABA All-Star (2x); versatile forward for Carolina Cougars |
| Spencer Haywood | F/C | ABA MVP (1970); scoring leader (1969–70) |
| Doug Moe | F | ABA All-Star (1x); contributor to Oakland Oaks championship |