Swen Nater is the only player to have led both the NBA and ABA in rebounding. Nater was a two-time ABA All-Star and was the 1974 ABA Rookie of the Year. He played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins, winning two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles. Nater helped John Wooden's UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles. He was a backup to Bill Walton, and he never started a collegiate game—his primary role was helping to develop Walton in practice.  In fact he is the only NBA first round pick who played in the NCAA without ever starting a college game (drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks).  Swen elected to sign with the Virginia Squires when his rights from the 1972 ABA draft (he was picked by the Floridians) were assigned to Dr. J’s, Virginia Squires upon the demise of the Floridians franchise. In August 1973, he opted to sign with the Squires. On November 21, 1973 the Squires traded Nater to the San Antonio Spurs for a draft pick and $300,000

With the Spurs, Nater was the American Basketball Association Rookie of the Year and and led the ABA in field goal percentage in 1974. He led the ABA in rebounding in 1975. He was named to the All-ABA Second Team in 1974 and 1975, and participated in the ABA All-Star Game both seasons. During his three seasons in the ABA, Nater played for the Spurs, Squires, and the New York Nets.

This would be the final season for the ABA, and like most of the teams in the league; the Squires were really struggling financially.  Players were getting traded and sold right and left. On January 7, 1976 Jim Eakins was traded to the New York Nets for Swen Nater and Bill Schaeffer.  This would be Swen’s second and last stint with the Squires. On May 11, 1976, the Squires were out of business.

Offered is the first 1975-76 Squires jersey to ever come up for public auction and one coming directly from a former player to boot. This was a one year style. Swen played in 14 away games that season for the Squires as he came in the middle of the season from New York.  This blue and red road jersey features the word “Virginia” and the number “10” in white tackle twill on the front with red, white, and blue ribbing in the collar and armpit areas.  On the back is the number “10” in tackle twill.  In the tail of the jersey is a hand stiched number “44-75 on orange/red felt (44 being the size and 75 being the year).  Adjacent to the size/year tag is the manufacturer’s tag, “Pearson” of Philadelphia (they are perhaps best known for producing the Philadelphia Warriors jerseys in the 50’s and 60’s. 

Swen Nater has signed the “1” on the front.  Whoever ends up owning this jersey, will end up with one of the nicest ABA jerseys in existence. We can count on two hands, the number of Squires game used jerseys that have ever come up for public auction.

COA – Swen Nater

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