Dutch born big-man Swen Nater helped John Wooden's UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles. He was drafted by The Miami Floridians in the 1972 ABA Draft, and was later claimed by the Virginia Squires later that same year after the Floridians folded. During his three seasons in the ABA from 1973-76, Nater played for the San Antonio Spurs, the Virginia Squires, and the New York Nets. With the Spurs Nater was the American Basketball Association Rookie of the Year in 1974. He led the ABA in field goal percentage in 1974, and was the league’s top rebounder in 1975. He was named to the All-ABA Second Team in 1974 and 1975, and participated in the ABA All-Star Game both seasons.
Nater's NBA career began with the Milwaukee Bucks, and he was traded after one season to the Buffalo Braves who later became the San Diego Clippers. Nater led the NBA in rebounding average during the 1979-80 season, making him the only player ever to lead both the NBA and ABA in rebounding. Before the 1983-84 season, Nater was traded by the Clippers along with a just-drafted Byron Scott to the Los Angeles Lakers. Nater and Scott helped lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals that year, after which Nater retired as a player.
Here offered is the uniform worn by Nater during the 1974-75 ABA All-Star Game. The white dureen jersey displays “NATER" in red tackle twill lettering on the back of the piece, and the athlete's number "31" is featured on the front and back in like fashion. Flanking the numerals at the front of the jersey is "ABA" and "ALL-STARS," and two blue tackle twill stars trimmed in red. Both arm and neck openings are lined in red and white stretch-ribbed cotton, and stitched to the right front tail is the Rawlings manufacturer's tag, which displays the jersey's size "44". An adjacent strip tag note “4” LONGER”. Nater has signed the back number in black sharpie. Matching shorts display two white tackle twill stars at the left thigh against a vertical blue stripe. On the left thigh is “ABA” lettering in red, white and blue tackle twill. Sewn within is the Rawlings manufacturer's tag, which displays the size "44" and adjacent strip tag noting “4” LONGER”. The entire uniform exhibits light use, which is appropriate for having been employed during a single event.
Includes a signed LOA from Swen Nater.