Professional basketball was extremely volatile in 1971-72, the year Erving launched his brilliant career. The ABA and NBA were already talking about a merger, players were jumping from league to league and franchises were in flux. However, Erving initially went to the ABA. Although Virginia already had ABA scoring champ Charlie Scott, Erving began to contribute immediately. He scored 27.3 points per game as a rookie, was selected to the All-ABA Second Team, made the ABA All-Rookie Team and finished second to Gilmore for the ABA Rookie of the Year Award. When Erving's college class graduation rolled around that year, he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (12th pick overall) of the 1972 NBA Draft. However, during this time players were playing musical teams and Erving was no exception. Rather than attempt to play for the Bucks, he attempted to jump to the Atlanta Hawks before the 1972-73 season began. Prior to Atlanta games, he would be at the arena ready to don a Hawks uniform, but he was legally barred from playing due to court injunctions initiated by the Squires and a court order eventually forced his return to Virginia four games into the ABA campaign. In the back collar of the jacket is the “Russell Southern Co.” manufacturers size S tag. Attached below is a wash instructions tag and another hand written tag with “ERVING” written on it. This was done by the equipment manager, Jim O’Toole and is in his writing. On the front left breast is the “HAWKS” embroidered logo patch. Across the back is the city name “ATLANTA” in red on yellow tackle twill. The jacket is autographed on back in black marker with “72” added and rates a 9. The jacket shows wear and appears to have no alterations of any kind. The autograph is accompanied by a LOA from JSA.