Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius "Dr. J" Erving was released from an area hospital Saturday after falling ill Friday night during the Sixers game in South Philadelphia. Erving's management team made the announcement on Twitter around 2:30 p.m. They did not reveal what the specific illness was but say he is expected to make a full recovery.
The 67-year-old was taken out of a suite at the Wells Fargo Center in a wheelchair, according to people attending Friday night's match-up between the Sixers and the Detroit Pistons.
The Sixers organization and Erving's management confirmed his illness in short statements Friday night. The hospital where he stayed overnight was not identified.
Before Friday's game began, Erving rang the ceremonial opening bell during the pre-game activities to commemorate his iconic dunk over the Lakers' Michael Cooper 35 years ago.
Erving is one of the best players in professional basketball history, having won four MVP awards and three championships in the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association. He led the Sixers to one of those championships during the 1982-1983 season. In all he played for the team for 11 seasons.
He was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993.
