19 Facts About George Gervin

1.

George Gervin, nicknamed "the Iceman", is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls.

2.

In 1996, George Gervin was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and in 2021, George Gervin was named as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.

3.

George Gervin struggled on and off the court until he reached his senior year, when a growth spurt allowed him to average 31 points and 20 rebounds and lead his school to the state quarterfinals.

4.

George Gervin was a Detroit Free Press All-State selection in 1970.

5.

George Gervin received a scholarship to play under Coach Jerry Tarkanian at California State University, Long Beach, but he had such a culture shock that he returned home before the first semester was over.

6.

George Gervin was suspended for the following season and eventually was removed from the team.

7.

George Gervin carried the team in scoring by leading the league with 29.4 ppg, they had made it back to the Conference Finals but got swept by the number one seeded Los Angeles Lakers who would end up winning the championship that year.

8.

The last NBA game of George Gervin's career was April 20,1986, Jordan's remarkable 63 point game against the Boston Celtics in game 2 of the first round.

9.

George Gervin recorded an assist and a personal foul in five minutes of play and the Bulls would later get swept by the Celtics in the first round.

10.

In between his years of playing in Europe, George Gervin played for the Quad City Thunder of the now defunct Continental Basketball Association.

11.

George Gervin had received the nickname because of his rare ability to play the game of basketball at a high level without sweating.

12.

George Gervin's trademark move was the finger roll, which he executed with unusual delicacy, touch, and range.

13.

George Gervin was idolized by former NFL and Heisman-winning quarterback Ty Detmer.

14.

George Gervin remains active in the San Antonio community with his seven organizations designed specifically for underprivileged kids, including the George Gervin Youth Center.

15.

George Gervin has said that his own experience as an underprivileged child in Michigan inspired him to get involved.

16.

George Gervin retired with the most blocks by any guard in NBA history.

17.

Since retiring from professional basketball, George Gervin has been active in the San Antonio community by designing organizations for underprivileged children.

18.

George Gervin's sister, Barbara George Gervin-Hawkins, is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives.

19.

George Gervin's younger brother, Derrick is a retired basketball player who mostly played in the CBA and Europe.