The 25 Best Players in ABA History

Founded in 1967, the American Basketball Association was formed mainly for the purpose of merging with the larger, more well-established NBA. However, just because they were always planning on being acquired doesn't mean that there weren't more than a few notable names in the league. The ABA was full of interesting ideas and personalities, such as the Slam Dunk Contest, Marvin "Bad News" Barnes, and a lot of enthusiastically colored uniforms. Even their basketball was red, white, and blue.

The league, feeling like they had nothing to lose, was much more fan-friendly and innovative than the NBA at the time. The ABA brought about the three-point line, they tried out a 30 second shot clock, and above all else they seemed to truly prize the athleticism that made their sport so unique. Of course with players like Dr. J and George Gervin, it would've been hard to contain such overwhelming talent. Thankfully, the league didn't get in anyone's way and, as a result, fans were given the opportunity to watch these athletes, some of whom have made our list of The 25 Best Players in ABA History. For any of you basketball junkies out there, this is a great chance to learn about an important part of pro basketball's timeline. Without the ABA, the NBA would look irreparably different. Check out the entire list and then let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Team(s): Indiana Pacers, Memphis Sounds, Spirits of St. Louis
Years played: 1967-1976
Career stats: 17.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.3 APG

Freddie Lewis was a solid player during his time in the ABA, appearing in four All-Star games, and picking up three different championship rings with the Indiana Pacers. Lewis was also the playoff MVP in 1972, as well as the All-Star Game MVP in 1975 when he was with the Spirits of St. Louis. Unfortunately, Lewis' career came to an early end in 1977 after he played just one season with the NBA's iteration of the Pacers.

Team(s): Spirits of St. Louis, Kentucky Colonels
Years played: 1974-1976
Career stats: 15.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.1 APG

Maurice Lucas embodied tough-nosed basketball in a way that every veteran of the sport can appreciate. In comparison to other players on this list, Lucas' scoring is the lowest, but for a guy nicknamed the "Enforcer," it should hardly come as a surprise that he was more interested in defense. Lucas played just two seasons in the ABA, but his reputation preceded him, as he was eventually named to the ABA's All-Time team in 1997.

Team(s): New Orleans Buccaneers, Oakland Oaks, Carolina Cougars, Virginia Squires
Years played: 1967-1972
Career stats: 16.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.2 APG

A two-time All American at North Carolina, Moe's reputation was discredited by his alleged involvement in a point-shaving scandal. As such, Moe was forced to the ABA where he bounced around with a number of teams and earned three All-Star nominations. However, Moe's career was cut short after just five years because of injuries. His talent is undeniable, but he remains one of the great "what ifs" of the ABA.

Team(s): Virginia Squires
Years played: 1970-1972
Career stats: 30.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.2 APG

Suiting up for just two seasons with the Virginia Squires, Charlie Scott quickly switched over the NBA after growing dissatisfied with the ABA. However, Scott earned the Rookie of the Year award after averaging 27.1 PPG, and then followed that up in his sophomore campaign with a whopping 34.6 PPG. The number remains the highest for any ABAer in a single year.

Team(s): Utah Stars
Years played: 1970-1974
Career stats: 19.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.6 APG

After spending time with the Hawks from 1962-1969, center Zelmo Beaty made his ABA debut in 1970 with the Utah Stars. Beaty was the Rasheed Wallace of his day, having led the NBA in personal fouls and disqualifications on multiple occasions. In the ABA, he was even more than that, garnering three All-Star nods along with a title in 1971 and a playoffs MVP award in that same year. However, Beaty did end up returning to the NBA in his final season, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers before he retired after the 1974-1975 season.

Team(s): Dallas Chaparrals/San Antonio Spurs
Years played: 1972-1976
Career stats: 18.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.3 APG

A point guard for four seasons with the Dallas/San Antonio franchise, James Silas would end up going to the All-Star game twice during his time in the ABA, and eventually earned a place on the ABA All-Time Team for his notable efforts. In 1984, his number was the first-ever retired by the San Antonio Spurs, making him an inextricable member of one of the NBA's most respected franchises. A clutch player who also went by the nickname, "Captain Late," Silas played 10 seasons in the pros before calling it quits after the 1981-1982 season.

Team(s): Kentucky Colonels
Years played: 1967-1976
Career stats: 18.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.6 APG

As a seven-time All-Star and an ABA champion in 1975, Louie Dampier is a distinguished member of ABA history, having dominated with the Kentucky Colonels for years, and being one of the few men to have played in the ABA for every year that it existed. After playing at Kentucky in college, his transition to the pros was seamless enough, as he continued the stellar play that had earned him two All-American recognitions as a Wildcat. Dampier would eventually play for three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs when the ABA folded, but his name will always have a place in Kentucky basketball lore.

Team(s): Minnesota Muskies/The Floridians, Utah Stars, Dallas Chaparrals, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs
Years played: 1967-1975
Career stats: 19.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.6 APG

Donnie Freeman was best known for his career in the ABA, as the guard travelled all across the country picking up time with the league's various franchises from Miami to Minnesota. Freeman earned four All-Star nods and a league title for his efforts, as well as one ABA first team selection in 1972. Though he would play in one NBA season with the Lakers, Freeman needed only one year in the new league to decide that he was done with basketball for good.

Team(s): Spirits of St. Louis
Years played: 1974-1976
Career stats: 24.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8

Never has a player had two more opposite nicknames than Marvin Barnes. Known as both "Magnificent Marvin" and "Bad News Barnes," the forward's split persona was indicative of the successes and struggles that Barnes had on and off-the-court. Barnes was known for getting in trouble when he wasn't busy playing, as he was charged with burglary, trespassing and drug possession throughout his life, among other transgressions. We certainly can't disregard these facts, but we also shouldn't forget that Barnes was one of the most talented players in ABA history, putting up monstrous numbers and gaining two ABA All-Star selections as well.

Team(s): Los Angeles Stars, The Floridians, Carolina Cougars, Denver Nuggets, Virginia Squires
Years played: 1969-1976
Career stats: 19.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.8 APG

Mack Calvin played seven seasons in the ABA, going from the West Coast to the East before he eventually moved to the NBA. A point guard who knew how to get to the line, Calvin set the ABA record for most free throws made and attempted in a single season. Calvin was also a five-time All-Star, as well as a three-time first team pick. He would end up playing a few seasons in the NBA with the Lakers, Spurs, Nuggets, Jazz, and Cavs before he hung it up in 1981.

Team(s): Oakland Oaks, Washington Caps, Indiana Pacers, The Floridians, Denver Rockets, San Diego Conquistadors
Years played: 1968-1975
Career stats: 17.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 5.3 APG

After being drafted by the New York Knicks in the fourth round of the NBA draft, Warren Jabali decided that he would rather join the ABA's Oakland Oaks, perhaps as a means to get more playing time. Whatever the case, Jabali won Rookie of the Year honors in the 1968-1969 season as a member of the Oaks, and decimated the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs when he averaged 33.2 PPG in the 1969 ABA Finals. How's that for a rookie year? You'd be hard-pressed to a find a young gun who was more game-ready than Jabali.

Team(s): New Orleans Buccaneers/Memphis Pros, Utah Stars
Years played: 1967-1974
Career stats: 19.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 5.1 APG

A guard and small forward, Jimmy Jones ended up tallying six All-Star nods before his ABA playing days were done, as the New Orleans product stayed in the bayou after his days at Grambling State. Though he had been drafted by the Washington Bullets, Jones was worried that Earl Monroe would take all of his playing time, so he stuck with the ABA, and ended up making quite the career out of it. Eventually, he would turn to the Bullets and the NBA in 1974, but before that point, Jones was a Southern legend and is often overlooked as one of the ABA's greatest talents.

Team(s): Indiana Pacers
Years played: 1971-1975
Career stats: 25.2 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 3.5 APG

Playing four seasons in the ABA with the Indiana Pacers, forward and center George McGinnis was a homegrown Indiana product who flourished at Indiana University before leading his pro team to two ABA titles in 1972 and 1973. McGinnis was also the league MVP in 1975, as well as the playoff MVP in 1973, but has somehow been overlooked by the Hall of Fame. He and Spencer Haywood are the only former league MVPs to have been left out of the club. We're all left scratching our heads on this issue.

Team(s): Kentucky Colonels, Denver Nuggets
Years played: 1970-1976
Career stats: 25.6 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.2 APG

In 1971, Dan Issel was chosen as the ABA Rookie of the Year, kicking off a career that would earn Issel more than a few accolades. Along with going to the ABA All-Star game six times, Issel also won the ABA championship in 1975 with the Kentucky Colonels, when he was paired up with Artis Gilmore to create one of the most intimidating front courts ever. Eventually, Issel moved to the Denver Nuggets, where he would continue his career with them in NBA all the way until 1985.

Team(s): Indiana Pacers, Memphis Sounds, Utah Stars
Years played: 1967-1975
Career stats: 17.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.8 APG

Referred to as the "Rajah," Roger Brown was forced to the ABA after his associations with noted gambler Jack Molinas earned him unfair ties to a point-shaving scandal taking place in college basketball at the time. Thus, Brown spent his entire career in the ABA, playing much of it with the Indiana Pacers and winning three ABA titles along the way. Though the NBA would eventually reinstate Brown, he never opted to the play in the league, retiring from pro ball after the 1975 season. Brown was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Team(s): Oakland Oaks, Washington Caps, New York Nets
Years played: 1968-1972
Career stats: 30.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.1 APG

When you ask who has the record for the highest career scoring average ever, not many will know that it's former superstar, Rick Barry. Averaging 30.5 PPG over his career in the ABA and NBA, Barry set a standard that ranks among sports' greatest all-time records. Barry joined the ABA after a contract dispute with Warriors management prompted him to jump ship for the Oakland Oaks. Eventually, legal action would force Barry back to the NBA, but he made the most of his time in the ABA, earning four All-Star nods in the process.

Team(s): Minnesota Muskies, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Sounds
Years played: 1967-1975
Career stats: 18.7 PPG, 15.1 RPG, 1.8 APG

Aside from the final year of his career, Mel Daniels was a lifer in the ABA, starting in 1967 and leaving the league in 1975. As a two-time MVP and a seven-time All-Star, Daniels set a standard for centers in the league, far outplaying his 6'9" measurement. As the all-time leader for rebounding and rebounding average in the ABA, Daniels led the Indiana Pacers to three ABA championships with his notable scoring and defensive abilities.

Team(s): Denver Rockets
Years played: 1969-1970
Career stats: 30.0 PPG, 19.5 RPG, 2.3 APG

Spencer Haywood played just one year in the ABA, but he certainly made it count. The numbers that Haywood put up are absolutely eye-popping, as he nearly went for a 30 and 20 in his rookie year. As a result, Haywood was rewarded with the league's Rookie of the Year and MVP awards. However, Haywood's heart was always set on the NBA, and the talented big man quickly jumped to the Seattle SuperSonics after his first year campaign with the Denver Rockets. Haywood initially jumped to the ABA because of the NBA's eligibility rules at the time, which stated that a player couldn't enter the league until his collegiate class had graduated. After Seattle's owner, Sam Schulman, launched an anti-trust lawsuit against the league, the case was settled, and Haywood was able to enter the NBA.

Team(s): Denver Nuggets
Years played: 1975-1976
Career stats: 26.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.7 APG

David Thompson is often compared to Michael Jordan, as the talented scoring guard was an explosive prospect who could seemingly score at will during his prime. Substance abuse eventually derailed his career, but his end came after he had already left the ABA. With the Denver Nuggets, Thompson was at the beginning his career, and though he played just one season in ABA before the league folded, he was named the ABA's Rookie of the Year in 1976, as well as the All-Star Game MVP.

Team(s): Utah Stars, Spirits of St. Louis
Years played: 1974-1976
Career stats: 17.2 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.1 APG

Moses Malone is more widely remembered for his famous "Fo, Fo, Fo" quote from his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, but it was his time as a prep-to-pro player in the ABA that launched his legendary career. Malone was an All-Star during both of his seasons in the league, success that would portend the massive numbers that he would post during his time in the NBA. As one of the first players to ever go from high school to a professional league, Malone stood as a pioneer, and a monumental talent all in one.

Team(s): Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers
Years played: 1967-1969
Career stats: 28.2 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 4.3 APG

Due to his alleged ties to a point-shaving scandal of the early 1960s, post player Connie Hawkins was unable to play in the NBA, as then-commissioner J. Walter Kennedy openly barred Hawkins from earning a contract with the league. Instead, Hawkins had to play in smaller organizations like the ABA, ABL, and even with the Harlem Globetrotters. During his time in Minnesota and Pittsburgh, Hawkins became the 1968 ABA MVP and won a championship in that same year. Eventually, though, Hawkins filed a lawsuit against the NBA, saying that there was no substantial evidence linking him to the gambling scandal that had kept him out of the league. They eventually settled with him, and Hawkins jumped ship to the NBA after the 1968-1969 season.

Team(s): Kentucky Colonels
Years played: 1971-1976
Career stats: 22.3 PPG, 17.3 RPG, 3.0 APG

The no. 1 pick in the NBA dispersal draft, Artis Gilmore was a dynamic center who spent his ABA career with the Kentucky Colonels. Gilmore won the 1975 ABA championship with the team, and earned five ABA All-Star nods as well. Known as a dominating presence within the ABA, Gilmore's numbers speak for themselves, as the 7'2" center nearly averaged a 20 and 20 with the Colonels. Gilmore was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Team(s): Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs
Years played: 1972-1976
Career stats: 21.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 2.2 APG

Known as the "Iceman," George Gervin was a prolific scorer, and constant threat to break a game open during his playing days in the ABA and NBA. Starting with the Virginia Squires in 1972, Gervin was eventually traded away to the Spurs for cash amidst a fire sale by the Squires that augured the folding of the team just a couple years later. Known for his patented finger roll, Gervin was a three-time ABA All-Star who would enjoy just as much success with San Antonio when they merged in the NBA in 1976.

Team(s): Carolina Cougars
Years played: 1972-1974
Career stats: 23.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.9 APG

The 1973 ABA MVP, Billy Cunningham started his career in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers before taking a brief stint in the ABA with the Carolina Cougars. But his time in the league would prove valuable as Cunningham was a superior scorer and rebounder who also led the league in steals in 1973. After a couple years with the Cougars, Cunningham returned to Philadelphia before a career-ending injury cut his playing days short during the 1975-1976 season. However, Cunningham's contributions haven't been forgotten as he was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986.

Team(s): Virginia Squires, New York Nets
Years played: 1971-1976
Career stats: 28.7 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 4.8 APG

When it comes to Dr. J, little explanation is necessary. The man practically made the ABA, dominating every facet of the game during his time with the New York Nets. An 11-time ABA All-Star, and two-time champion, Dr. J embodied the high-flying atmosphere of the league with his memorable dunks and show-stopping athleticism. Of course, it was his foul-line jam in the 1976 Dunk Contest that everyone will remember the most about Erving's time in the ABA. Though he would go on to win an NBA championship with the Sixers in 1983, his time as an ABAer is where Dr. J made his name.