Gervin thankful for pro start in 757
‘The Iceman’ to join ‘Dr. J’, other former Virginia Squires for tribute this week
Hampton Roads holds a special place in George Gervin’s heart.
After all, it was the place where he got his start.
Nicknamed “the Iceman” for his cool demeanor on the court, Gervin was playing for the Pontiac Chaparrals of the Continental Basketball Association when his play caught the eye of Johnny Kerr, then the vice president of basketball operations for the Virginia Squires. Kerr then made a phone call to his friend Earl Foreman, who owned the Squires.
“He called Earl and said, ‘You really need to take a look at this kid,’ ” Gervin remembered. “I was probably averaging 35, and I had a big game when Johnny was there. Lo and behold, Earl flew me in to take a look at me. Coach
Al Bianchi and those guys had me shoot around. I shot around and they signed me on the spot. I’m probably the only person in ABA and NBA history that shot for his contract.”
The rest is history as Gervin became one of the greatest basketball players ever. He was inducted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
But none of that happens if he didn’t come to Hampton Roads.
“You can’t have an end without a beginning,” he said last week. “That was my beginning, and I’m very thankful for it.”
That’s why Gervin is coming back to Hampton Roads this week when the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament pays tribute to the Virginia Squires on Friday at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel. Gervin will be joined by many other Squires greats, including Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Charlie Scott and Jim Eakins.
Like the PIT launched the careers of players such as Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, John Stockton, Tim Hardaway and Jimmy Butler, the Squires jumpstarted many careers.
Eakins can’t wait to return. Known as “Jumbo,” he hasn’t been back since the last Squires reunion in 2014.
He finished his career as the Squires’ all-time leading scorer and rebounder as he finished with 6,162 points and 4,268 rebounds.
“I’m excited to be able to get together, not only with the players I played with, but to also get to interact with the fans,” Eakins