Julius Erving was born in Hempstead, Long Island. After his father left the family when he was Erving was only three-years old his mother worked hard to support her three children. Life was difficult, but Mrs. Erving fought to instill a sense of self-worth in her children, and young Julius realized his gift for basketball could be a ticket to a better life. By age ten, Julius was averaging eleven points a game with his Salvation Army team. When Julius Erving was 13, his mother remarried, and the family moved to the nearby town of Roosevelt. There, Julius maintained a high academic average and played on the high school team, all-county and all-Long Island teams competing in state-wide tournaments. Erving acquired the nickname "the Doctor" while still at Roosevelt High. His teammates would later alter this to "Dr. J."
Offered here is Erving’s 1968 Roosevelt High School class ring. The 10k gold ring, manufactured by Balfour, is finely crafted with a large blue stone at center encircled by the proclamation “Roosevelt High School”. Erving’s initials “J. W. E.” are stamped on the inside band. The size 11.5 ring shows moderate wear. Weighs 14 grams.
Erving’s basketball coach at Roosevelt High, Ray Wilson, introduced young Julius to Coach Jack Leaman of the University of Massachusetts. After high school, Erving entered the university, where Ray Wilson was hired as assistant coach the following year. The rest, as they say, is history…
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Includes a signed LOA from Julius Erving.