1986-87 Fleer #31 Julius Erving
1986-87 Fleer #31 Julius Erving
Dr. J - one of the established legends anchoring the set (not a rookie; his Topps cards predate it).
About Julius Erving
A 6'7" small forward out of the University of Massachusetts, Julius Erving turned pro in 1971 with the ABA's Virginia Squires; the Milwaukee Bucks later drafted him 12th overall in 1972. Over 16 seasons he starred for the Squires and New York Nets (ABA) before joining the Philadelphia 76ers in 1976, the franchise he anchors on this card. He won two ABA titles (1974, 1976) and the 1983 NBA championship, was named ABA MVP three times (1974-76) and NBA MVP in 1981, and made 11 NBA and 5 ABA All-Star teams. He retired in 1987 with 30,026 combined ABA/NBA points, one of pro basketball's highest career totals. Nicknamed "Dr. J" - a play on the "professor"/"doctor" exchange with high-school friend Leon Saunders - Erving popularized the modern slam dunk, famously taking off from the free-throw line to win the 1976 ABA Dunk Contest. By 1986 he was an established legend anchoring the set (not a rookie; his Topps cards predate it), and he entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Sources: Wikipedia · Basketball-Reference
About this card
The 1986-87 Fleer Julius Erving is card #31 in Fleer's landmark 'Premier' issue - the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps and, for many collectors, the start of the modern era of basketball cards. Julius Erving was already an established star by 1986; this is not his rookie card, but he is one of the names that make the set a who's-who of the era. He is pictured with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Graded population (PSA & SGC)
| Grader | Total | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 1-6 | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 6,934 | 171 | 1,782 | 2,992 | 1,192 | 795 | 2 |
| SGC | 868 | 2 | 138 | 300 | 233 | 186 | 9 |
Graded population — a scarcity guide, not a price. Snapshot 2026-06-26. Half-grades fold down (8.5→8).
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More Philadelphia 76ers cards
- Charles Barkley
- Maurice Cheeks
- Roy Hinson
- Cliff Robinson
- Jeff Ruland
- Sedale Threatt
- Andrew Toney
- Julius Erving (sticker)
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1986-87 Fleer Julius Erving card?
It is card #31 of 132 in the 1986-87 Fleer Basketball set - Fleer's 'Premier' issue and the first nationally-distributed NBA set since 1981-82 Topps. It pictures the Philadelphia 76ers Julius Erving.
How do I spot a fake Julius Erving 1986-87 Fleer card?
1986-87 Fleer is the most counterfeited basketball set. Genuine cards are crisp and dark with an intact micro-dot print pattern; fakes look fuzzy or flat. Check the Fleer 'Premier' logo (the arrow is a darker gold than the yellow box) and, on the back, the NBA Players Association basketball, whose seam lines are visible on a real card and filled solid on a fake. For high-value copies, buy professionally graded (PSA/BGS/SGC) and verify the cert.
Is the 1986-87 Fleer Julius Erving valuable?
Value depends heavily on grade and centering. Use the links above to check current T206 Cards inventory and live eBay listings.
Sources: the Trading Card Database, Basketball-Reference, and PSA & SGC population reports. Card data & population compiled and maintained by T206Cards.com. Page last updated 2026-07-01.