After a successful college career at St. Johns Billy Paultz was selected by both the San Diego Rockets of the NBA and the ABA’s Virginia Squires in the 1970 draft. Paultz decided on the upstart ABA but was traded to the New York Nets before the season began. Paultz joined a Nets team that was the class of the ABA with New York making the playoffs in each of his first five seasons. Paultz fit right into the fast and loose ABA atmosphere with his bulky frame earning him the nickname “The Whopper.” Paultz was a 3-time ABA All-Star and was later named to the ABA’s All-Time Team. He was later traded to the NBA where he teamed up with Moses Malone on the Houston Rockets team that made the ’81 Finals. This rare ABA jersey dates from The Whopper’s first two seasons.

The front of the home white jersey has “Nets” in script across the front with Paultz’s number “5” below in blue and red tackle twill. The collar sides and arm openings are trimmed in red white and blue ribbing. The back has “PAULTZ” across the shoulders in individual red tackle twill letters and his number “5” is below in blue and red tackle twill. A size 46 Rawlings tag is sewn inside the rear tail alongside a washing instructions label. A white strip tag once affixed between the two labels has worn away. The jersey is in very good condition with just light toning throughout and some loose threads visible. A very attractive example of a rare gamer from the ABA’s heyday.