For the first time ever, a pair of basketball sneakers worn by the legendary Julius "Dr. J" Erving during his college playing days at UMASS have surfaced in the hobby after 43 years. Needless to say, it could be the only such pair that ever does. These Converse All-Star Chuck Taylor white canvas high-tops, size 15 with maroon laces to match the Redmen team colors, come with amazing provenance courtesy of his UMASS teammate.
When Julius Erving entered college in 1968 at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, it was during an era when all newcomers, even the best players, were required to play on the Freshman team (see Wilt Chamberlain). My how things have changed. So there was UMASS' star recruit out of Roosevelt High, nicknamed "The Doctor," already a NYC street-ball legend who attracted crowds at Rucker Park, leading the UMASS Freshman squad to a 15-0 record during the 1968-69 season when he would have easily been the best player on the Varsity or in the entire Yankee Conference. Students and fans of the UMASS Redmen (mascot changed to Minutemen in 1972) immediately took notice of the 6’7” high-flying dunk artist, especially during warm-ups when Erving would often put on a rim-rocking exhibition. Shamefully, players were forbidden to dunk in games back then. When the time came for Erving to play Varsity as a sophomore, he did not disappoint. In his first game against Providence, Erving had 27 points and 28 rebounds. The Doctor averaged 26.2 points and 20.2 rebounds in his only two seasons with the UMASS Varsity, remarkable when you consider only four others (Bill Russell, Paul Silas, Artis Gilmore and Kermit Washington) finished with a 20-20 career average in NCAA history.
In 1971, before leaving UMASS one year early to pursue his professional career with the Virginia Squires of the ABA, Julius Erving gifted this pair of college game-worn sneakers to his UMASS teammate of three years, Tom Austin (#30 seated next to #32 Erving in the 1970 team photo). In the summer of 1980, they were reunited at a UMASS basketball camp (see photo). It was here that Erving signed and inscribed each Converse sneaker. On the right shoe, Dr. J signed "Julius Erving #32 '71" noting his college jersey number and season worn. On the left shoe, he signed "Julius Dr. J Erving #6 '80" noting his NBA jersey number and year signed. (Note: Do not be confused by the inscriptions. Erving wore both shoes at UMASS.) Erving’s beautiful penmanship comes in 8/10 black marker over the inside heel of each shoe. The pair shows excellent use, and comes largely as issued in appropriate game-used condition. On the left shoe, there is a small crack over the toes which is clearly photo-matched.
Includes a Letter of Authenticity signed by Julius Erving’s UMASS teammate, Tom Austin, who has shared ownership of the shoes with his college roommate ever since.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.