Gary Ervin
Gary Ervin | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 9, 1983 United States |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player |
| Known for | NBL Most Valuable Player (2010–11 season) |
Gary Ervin (born August 9, 1983) is an American professional basketball athlete who most recently competed for Chorale Roanne Basket in France’s LNB Pro B. His collegiate basketball tenure included time at both Mississippi State University and the University of Arkansas. Ervin earned the distinction of NBL Most Valuable Player during the 2010–11 NBL season while playing with the Wollongong Hawks.
High school career
Ervin began his high school basketball journey at Robeson High in Brooklyn before transferring to Notre Dame Prep for the 2002–03 academic year. There, he played a key role in achieving a 30–9 record, securing two tournament championships, and reaching a national top-eight ranking. During his senior season, he posted averages of 17.0 points and 7.0 assists per contest.
College career
While at Mississippi State, Ervin was honored with 2004 SEC All-Freshman recognition, contributing 5.4 points and 2.5 assists per game across 30 appearances. In his sophomore season, he ranked third in the Southeastern Conference for assists and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio, averaging 7.4 points alongside 4.7 assists over 34 games.
Ervin transferred to Arkansas in 2005, sitting out the 2005–06 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. As a junior, he twice received SEC Player of the Week accolades while averaging 9.9 points and 4.8 assists in 35 games. In his final collegiate year, he guided Arkansas to the SEC Tournament final and helped secure second place in the SEC Western Division, posting averages of 9.5 points and 3.8 assists over 35 contests.
2008–09 season
After going undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft, Ervin was selected by the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the fourth round of the 2008 NBA D-League draft on November 7 but was released on January 20, 2009. Shortly thereafter, on January 25, he signed with the Tulsa 66ers.
2009–10 season
Ervin was picked by the Maine Red Claws in the fourth round of the 2009 NBA D-League draft on November 5 but was waived after two appearances on November 30. He then joined the Halifax Rainmen on December 7, 2009, for the upcoming PBL season and earned MVP honors at the league’s All-Star event in 2010.
2010–11 season
On August 18, 2010, Ervin inked a deal with the Wollongong Hawks to compete in the 2010–11 NBL season. Across 27 games, he averaged 20.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per outing. His outstanding performance earned him the NBL MVP award—the first player from the Hawks to receive this honor since 1981—and a spot on the All-NBL first team. Following this NBL campaign, he joined Trotamundos de Carabobo for Venezuela’s 2011 LBP season.
2011–12 season
In August of 2011, Ervin signed with Ukrainian team BC Kyiv for participation in the 2011–12 season.
2012–13 season
Ervin agreed to terms with the Townsville Crocodiles on October 1, 2012, for the 2012–13 NBL season. He secured Player of the Month awards consecutively in December and January and was honored with the Kevin Sugars Medal as Townsville’s Most Valuable Player for that year.
2013–14 season
On July 10, 2013, Ervin committed to play for the Adelaide 36ers during the 2013–14 NBL season. On March 31, 2014, he received a suspension for Game 3 of the semi-final series against Melbourne Tigers due to a kneeing incident during Game 2 that was reviewed by the tribunal.
2014–15 season
On August 1, 2014, Ervin made a return to the Wollongong Hawks, embarking on his second tenure with the team for the 2014–15 NBL season.
2015–16 season
Following a short stint with La Matica in the Dominican Republic during September 2015, Ervin signed a contract with Chorale Roanne Basket of the French LNB Pro B league on October 4. His time with the club concluded on November 14 after participating in four matches.
Personal
Ervin is the child of Gary Ervin Sr. and Mary Harris. His fiancé, Kia Vaughn, is a professional basketball athlete who has played both in Europe and the WNBA.