Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The American Basketball Association (ABA) existed from 1967 to 1976 and became one of the most influential leagues in basketball history. Known for its red, white and blue basketball, fast-paced style and emphasis on athleticism, the ABA challenged the NBA by attracting elite talent and introducing innovations that permanently changed the sport.

Many of the ABA’s biggest stars became NBA legends after the 1976 ABA-NBA merger, while others built Hall of Fame careers largely through their achievements in the rival league.

What Was the ABA?

The American Basketball Association (ABA) was a professional basketball league founded in 1967 to compete directly with the NBA.

The league became famous for:

  • The three-point shot.
  • High-scoring games.
  • Fast-paced offenses.
  • Above-the-rim play.
  • Innovative marketing and fan entertainment.

In 1976, the ABA merged with the NBA, with four franchises joining the league:

  • Denver Nuggets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • New York Nets
  • San Antonio Spurs

Greatest ABA Players

Julius Erving

  • ABA Career: 1971–1976
  • Teams: Virginia Squires, New York Nets
  • ABA Highlights:
    • Two ABA championships
    • Three ABA MVP awards
    • Two Playoff MVP awards
    • Three scoring titles

Known as “Dr. J,” Erving became the face of the ABA through his spectacular athleticism, creativity and highlight-reel dunks.

George Gervin

  • ABA Career: 1973–1976
  • Team: San Antonio Spurs
  • ABA Highlights:
    • Three ABA All-Star selections
    • One of the league’s premier scorers

Gervin’s effortless scoring translated seamlessly to the NBA, where he won four scoring titles.

Artis Gilmore

  • ABA Career: 1971–1976
  • Team: Kentucky Colonels
  • ABA Highlights:
    • ABA champion
    • ABA MVP
    • Rookie of the Year
    • Five-time ABA All-Star

Gilmore dominated the paint as one of the greatest centers in ABA history.

Dan Issel

  • ABA Career: 1970–1976
  • Teams: Kentucky Colonels, Denver Nuggets
  • ABA Highlights:
    • ABA champion
    • Six-time ABA All-Star
    • One of the league’s all-time leading scorers

Issel combined outstanding durability with elite offensive production.

Mel Daniels

  • ABA Career: 1967–1974
  • Team: Indiana Pacers
  • ABA Highlights:
    • Three ABA championships
    • Two ABA MVP awards
    • Seven-time ABA All-Star

Daniels anchored the ABA’s most successful franchise during its early years.

Roger Brown

  • ABA Career: 1967–1975
  • Team: Indiana Pacers
  • ABA Highlights:
    • Three ABA championships
    • Playoff MVP
    • Four-time ABA All-Star

Brown consistently elevated his game during the postseason and became one of the league’s greatest clutch performers.

Louie Dampier

  • ABA Career: 1967–1976
  • Team: Kentucky Colonels
  • ABA Highlights:
    • Seven-time ABA All-Star
    • ABA champion
    • All-time ABA leader in games played

Dampier was one of the ABA’s finest shooters and longest-serving stars.

Spencer Haywood

  • ABA Career: 1969–1970
  • Team: Denver Rockets
  • ABA Highlights:
    • ABA MVP
    • Rookie of the Year
    • Scoring champion
    • Rebounding champion

Haywood dominated in his only ABA season before challenging the NBA’s eligibility rules and eventually joining the league.

Connie Hawkins

  • ABA Career: 1967–1969
  • Team: Pittsburgh Pipers
  • ABA Highlights:
    • ABA champion
    • ABA MVP
    • Playoff MVP

Hawkins became one of professional basketball’s earliest high-flying superstars.

David Thompson

  • ABA Career: 1975–1976
  • Team: Denver Nuggets
  • ABA Highlights:
    • ABA Rookie of the Year
    • ABA All-Star
    • One of the league’s most exciting players

Thompson’s spectacular leaping ability earned him the nickname “Skywalker.”

Moses Malone

  • ABA Career: 1974–1976
  • Teams: Utah Stars, Spirits of St. Louis
  • ABA Highlights:
    • Entered professional basketball directly from high school
    • Elite rebounder

Malone later became one of the NBA’s greatest centers, winning three MVP awards.

Maurice Lucas

  • ABA Career: 1974–1976
  • Teams: Spirits of St. Louis, Kentucky Colonels
  • ABA Highlights:
    • ABA champion
    • ABA All-Star

Lucas brought toughness, rebounding and leadership to every team he joined.

Bobby Jones

  • ABA Career: 1974–1976
  • Team: Denver Nuggets
  • ABA Highlights:
    • Two-time ABA All-Star
    • Elite defensive forward

Jones became one of the greatest defensive players in professional basketball.

Billy Cunningham

  • ABA Career: 1974–1976
  • Team: Carolina Cougars
  • ABA Highlights:
    • ABA MVP
    • ABA All-Star

Already an NBA star, Cunningham excelled during his brief ABA career before returning to the NBA.

Other Notable ABA Players

  • Larry Kenon
  • Donnie Freeman
  • Mack Calvin
  • Freddie Lewis
  • Warren Jabali
  • Zelmo Beaty
  • Swen Nater
  • James Silas
  • Billy Keller
  • Don Buse
  • Caldwell Jones
  • Ron Boone
  • Ralph Simpson
  • Marvin Barnes
  • Gus Gerard
  • George McGinnis
  • Charlie Scott
  • Jimmy Jones
  • Mack Calvin
  • Rich Jones

ABA Innovations That Changed Basketball

Although the ABA existed for less than a decade, it introduced several ideas that permanently influenced professional basketball:

  • The three-point line.
  • Slam Dunk Contest.
  • Faster pace of play.
  • Flashier offensive styles.
  • More creative marketing.
  • Greater emphasis on athleticism and entertainment.

Many of these innovations were later adopted by the NBA.

The 1976 ABA-NBA Merger

The merger marked the end of the ABA but preserved much of its legacy.

Four ABA franchises joined the NBA:

  • Denver Nuggets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • New York Nets
  • San Antonio Spurs

Many ABA stars—including Julius Erving, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, Dan Issel and David Thompson—continued their careers in the NBA and became Hall of Famers.

ABA Hall of Fame Legends

Several ABA stars are now members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, including:

  • Julius Erving
  • George Gervin
  • Artis Gilmore
  • Dan Issel
  • Mel Daniels
  • Roger Brown
  • Connie Hawkins
  • Spencer Haywood
  • David Thompson
  • Bobby Jones
  • Billy Cunningham
  • Moses Malone

Their achievements helped establish the ABA as one of the most influential leagues in basketball history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the greatest ABA player?

Julius Erving is widely regarded as the greatest player in ABA history after winning three league MVP awards and leading the New York Nets to two championships.

Why was the ABA important?

The ABA introduced the three-point shot, popularized an exciting, fast-paced style of basketball and developed many future NBA Hall of Famers before merging with the NBA in 1976.

Which ABA teams joined the NBA?

The Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets and San Antonio Spurs became NBA franchises following the 1976 merger.

Did ABA statistics count toward NBA records?

No. ABA statistics remain separate from NBA career statistics, although many players accumulated impressive totals in both leagues.