Julius "Dr. J" Erving II, is a former National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association superstar and a true basketball icon whose influence helped transform the game with his creativity, athleticism, and above-the-rim style of play. He played for the Virginia Squires and the New York Nets—winning two American Basketball Association Championships—before going on to star with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he won a National Basketball Association Championship in 1983.

He helped legitimize the American Basketball Association and was the league’s most recognizable player at the time of its merger with the National Basketball Association following the 1975–1976 season.

Dr. J joined Life Ring Foundation’s Fighting Kids Cancer mission in 2023 as a special guest at the inaugural Charlotte’s Play Yellow Celebrity Invitational at Ballyhack Golf Club.