History of the Virginia Squires

From Oakland and Washington to Virginia

The Virginia Squires were one of the most talented, colorful, and financially troubled franchises in the history of the American Basketball Association. The team played six seasons in Virginia from 1970 through 1976, using a regional format that brought professional basketball to Norfolk, Hampton, Richmond, and, for a short time, Roanoke.

The franchise originally began as the Oakland Oaks, one of the ABA's charter teams in 1967. After winning the 1969 ABA championship behind Rick Barry, the Oaks relocated to Washington, D.C., and became the Washington Caps for the 1969-70 season.

Washington attorney Earl Foreman owned the team, but its stay in the nation's capital lasted only one year. The NBA's Baltimore Bullets planned to move into the Washington market, and the ABA franchise was encouraged to find a new home. Foreman moved the club to Virginia before the 1970-71 season and renamed it the Virginia Squires.

A Regional Franchise

Rather than representing one city, the Squires were marketed as a team for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. They played home games at several arenas, including the Hampton Coliseum, Norfolk Scope, Richmond Coliseum, Old Dominion University Fieldhouse, Richmond Arena, and Roanoke Civic Center.

The regional approach gave fans throughout Virginia an opportunity to watch major professional basketball. However, constantly moving between cities made it difficult for the Squires to establish a stable fan base, sell season tickets, and create a strong local identity.

The team became most closely associated with the Hampton Roads region, particularly Norfolk and Hampton, but it continued playing selected home games in Richmond throughout much of its existence.

The Successful 1970-71 Season

The Squires immediately became one of the strongest teams in the ABA. Coached by Al Bianchi, Virginia finished its first season with a 55-29 record and captured first place in the Eastern Division.

The roster was led by explosive guard Charlie Scott, who joined the Squires after beginning his professional career with the Boston Celtics. Scott became one of the ABA's leading scorers and was named the league's Rookie of the Year.

Virginia also featured veteran stars such as Doug Moe, Willie Wise, Fatty Taylor, and Mike Barrett. The Squires led the ABA in scoring, averaging more than 123 points per game and playing the fast-paced style for which the league became famous.

In the playoffs, Virginia defeated the New York Nets four games to two in the Eastern Division Semifinals. The Squires then faced the Kentucky Colonels in the division finals. Virginia took a two-games-to-one lead, but Kentucky won the next three contests and eliminated the Squires in six games.

Although Virginia fell short of reaching the ABA Finals, its first season remained the most successful regular season in Squires history. Bianchi was named ABA Coach of the Year for leading the club to the division championship.

Julius Erving Arrives

The franchise added one of basketball's greatest players before the 1971-72 season when it signed Julius Erving from the University of Massachusetts.

Erving had not completed four years of college and was therefore ineligible for the NBA draft under the rules of the time. The ABA allowed him to turn professional, and the Squires secured his rights.

Nicknamed "Dr. J," Erving immediately became one of the most spectacular players in professional basketball. His soaring dunks, enormous hands, rebounding ability, defensive instincts, and open-court creativity made him an ideal star for the ABA's exciting style.

As a rookie, Erving averaged more than 27 points and 15 rebounds per game. He joined Charlie Scott to form one of the most talented scoring combinations in either the ABA or NBA.

The 1971-72 Playoff Run

The 1971-72 Squires finished with a 45-39 record, placing second in the Eastern Division. Although their regular-season record declined, the presence of Erving gave the club championship potential.

Virginia swept The Floridians in four games during the Eastern Division Semifinals. The Squires then faced the New York Nets in a dramatic seven-game division finals series.

Virginia won the first two games and later held a three-games-to-two advantage. However, the Nets won Game 6 in New York and captured Game 7 in Norfolk, eliminating the Squires one victory short of the ABA Finals.

The defeat was especially disappointing because the Squires possessed two of the league's brightest young stars. Erving continued to excel in the postseason, establishing himself as one of professional basketball's premier attractions.

Charlie Scott Leaves for the NBA

The partnership between Julius Erving and Charlie Scott did not last through the entire season. Scott became involved in a contract dispute with the Squires and left the club late in the 1971-72 campaign.

Scott eventually joined the NBA's Phoenix Suns, beginning a successful NBA career that later included an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.

His departure weakened Virginia's roster and demonstrated the financial and contractual instability that frequently affected ABA teams.

George Gervin Joins the Squires

During the 1972-73 season, Virginia added another future Hall of Famer when it signed George Gervin.

Gervin had played at Eastern Michigan University before beginning his professional career with the Pontiac Chaparrals of the Continental Basketball Association. The Squires recognized his potential and brought him to the ABA.

Known as "The Iceman," Gervin was a slender and graceful scorer with a soft shooting touch. He was still developing when he joined Virginia, but his ability was immediately evident.

For a brief period, Julius Erving and George Gervin were teammates on the Squires. The pairing gave Virginia two future NBA superstars and two of the most influential offensive players in basketball history.

The 1972-73 Season

The Squires finished the 1972-73 regular season with a 42-42 record and placed third in the Eastern Division.

Erving remained the team's dominant player, averaging more than 31 points per game while leading the ABA in scoring. Gervin contributed as a promising young reserve during the second half of the season.

Virginia faced the Kentucky Colonels in the Eastern Division Semifinals. Kentucky won the series four games to one, ending the Squires' season.

The playoff loss marked the beginning of a sharp decline. Virginia possessed exceptional talent but lacked the financial resources needed to keep its best players.

Julius Erving Is Sold to the New York Nets

Financial pressure forced the Squires to part with Julius Erving during the summer of 1973. Virginia traded Erving and Willie Sojourner to the New York Nets in exchange for George Carter and cash.

The transaction provided temporary financial relief but removed the franchise's greatest attraction. Erving went on to lead the Nets to ABA championships in 1974 and 1976 before becoming an NBA legend with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Selling Erving became the most damaging example of Virginia's inability to retain elite talent. The Squires had discovered and developed one of basketball's greatest players but could not afford to build around him.

George Gervin Becomes the Franchise Star

With Erving gone, George Gervin emerged as Virginia's leading attraction during the 1973-74 season.

Gervin developed rapidly and became one of the ABA's most exciting young scorers. His finger roll, smooth jump shot, and calm playing style eventually became his trademarks.

The Squires struggled as a team, finishing 28-56 and placing fourth in the Eastern Division. Despite the losing record, Virginia qualified for the playoffs because only one Eastern Division team was eliminated.

The New York Nets defeated the Squires four games to one in the Eastern Division Semifinals. Erving, now starring for New York, helped eliminate his former team on the way to the ABA championship.

The Sale of George Gervin

Virginia's financial problems continued to worsen during the 1973-74 season. In January 1974, the Squires agreed to sell George Gervin to the San Antonio Spurs for cash.

ABA commissioner Mike Storen initially attempted to block the transaction because he believed the sale of another young star would damage both the Squires and the league. The matter became a legal dispute, but the sale was ultimately upheld.

Gervin became the cornerstone of the Spurs and developed into one of the greatest scorers in professional basketball history. He won four scoring championships and later entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

By selling Erving and Gervin within a matter of months, Virginia lost two future legends who could have formed the foundation of a championship contender.

Moses Malone and Another Future Legend

The Squires added another historic player in 1974 when they signed Moses Malone directly out of Petersburg High School in Virginia.

Malone became one of the first modern players to move directly from high school to major professional basketball. Still only 19 years old, he immediately demonstrated extraordinary strength and rebounding ability.

During his rookie season, Malone averaged more than 18 points and 14 rebounds per game. He was selected to the ABA All-Star Game and earned a place on the ABA All-Rookie Team.

Malone later became a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, an NBA champion, and one of the greatest centers in basketball history. Like Erving and Gervin, however, he remained with the financially troubled Squires for only a short period.

The Disastrous 1974-75 Season

Despite Malone's promising debut, the Squires collapsed during the 1974-75 season. Virginia finished with a 15-69 record, the worst mark in the ABA.

The loss of Erving and Gervin had left the roster without enough experienced talent. Attendance declined, debts increased, and the organization struggled to meet its financial obligations.

Coach Al Bianchi completed his fifth season with the club, but the team missed the playoffs for the first time since moving to Virginia.

After the season, Malone was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1975 ABA dispersal draft involving Utah Stars personnel arrangements and was later acquired by the Buffalo Braves before returning to the ABA with the Spirits of St. Louis. His departure left the Squires without another future superstar.

The Final Season

The 1975-76 season became a fight for survival. The ABA itself was shrinking, with the Baltimore Claws folding before the regular season and the San Diego Sails and Utah Stars ceasing operations during the campaign.

Virginia experienced constant financial emergencies. Player salaries were sometimes late, attendance remained poor, and the club changed coaches repeatedly.

Al Bianchi began the season but was replaced after six games. Mack Calvin, Bill Musselman, Jack Ankerson, and Zelmo Beaty also coached the team at different points during the year.

The Squires finished with a 15-68 record, placing last among the teams that completed the regular season. Virginia missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

The Squires Fold

After the regular season, the Squires were required to pay a league assessment to remain in operation. The franchise could not produce the necessary funds, and the ABA revoked its membership on May 11, 1976.

The Squires folded only weeks before the ABA and NBA announced their merger. Four ABA franchises—the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs—were admitted to the NBA.

Virginia received no merger payment and was not included in the agreement because the franchise had already ceased operations.

The collapse ended six years of Squires basketball and nine seasons of franchise history dating back to the Oakland Oaks.

Season-by-Season Results

Notable Players

• Julius Erving
• George Gervin
• Moses Malone
• Charlie Scott
• Doug Moe
• Willie Wise
• Fatty Taylor
• Mike Barrett
• George Carter
• Jim Eakins
• Swen Nater
• Johnny Neumann
• Willie Sojourner

Head Coaches

Home Arenas

• Hampton Coliseum in Hampton
• Norfolk Scope in Norfolk
• Richmond Coliseum in Richmond
• Old Dominion University Fieldhouse in Norfolk
• Richmond Arena in Richmond
• Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke

A Remarkable Collection of Talent

Few unsuccessful franchises in professional sports history discovered as much elite talent as the Virginia Squires. Julius Erving, George Gervin, Moses Malone, and Charlie Scott all played for Virginia early in their professional careers.

Erving, Gervin, and Malone became members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Together, they won multiple ABA and NBA Most Valuable Player awards, scoring championships, and professional titles after leaving Virginia.

Had the Squires possessed stronger ownership and greater financial stability, the franchise could potentially have built one of the most talented teams in basketball history. Instead, financial necessity repeatedly forced Virginia to sell or lose its best players.

Legacy of the Virginia Squires

The Virginia Squires remain one of the ABA's most fascinating franchises. Their history combined spectacular basketball, future superstars, constant relocation within the state, and persistent financial instability.

During their best years, the Squires were among the ABA's most exciting teams. They won the 1971 Eastern Division title, reached the division finals in consecutive seasons, and introduced professional audiences to Julius Erving, George Gervin, and Moses Malone.

Their decline also illustrated the weaknesses that threatened the ABA. Even teams capable of discovering legendary talent sometimes lacked the attendance, ownership resources, television revenue, and arena stability necessary to survive.

Although the Squires folded before the ABA-NBA merger, their influence continued through the players they helped launch. Erving became one of basketball's most important cultural icons, Gervin became one of the game's greatest scorers, and Malone became one of its most dominant centers.

The Virginia Squires never won an ABA championship, but their place in basketball history is secure. No other short-lived franchise produced such an extraordinary collection of future legends while also embodying the excitement, creativity, and instability of the American Basketball Association.