Steve Javie (; born January 17, 1955) is an American retired professional basketball referee who refereed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from the 1986–87 NBA season to the 2010–11 season. Javie officiated 1,514 regular season, 243 playoff, and 23 NBA Finals games (a total of 1,780 games) and is one of few NBA referees to officiate 1,000 games. According to Referee magazine, Javie was a highly regarded referee in the NBA, and he was respected within the officiating community for his game management skills. He was also notable during his NBA officiating career for his quickness in assessing technical fouls. Prior to his NBA career, he played and graduated from La Salle College High School. He later played baseball for Temple University from 1974 to 1976 and later was an umpire in the Florida State League (Class-A) from 1978 to 1981. Transitioning to basketball, he officiated in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) from 1981 to 1986. Personal Early life Steve Javie was born on January 17, 1955, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Stan and Stella Javie. During his childhood, he attended and later graduated from La Salle College High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he played baseball, football, and basketball, earning All-League honors in baseball and basketball. Following high school, he continued a baseball career at Temple University. He graduated from the university in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. As a prospect in baseball, Javie signed with the Baltimore Orioles minor league organization. He was released from the Orioles minor league system (Class-A) after one year due to an arm injury suffered as a pitcher. Family Steve Javie's father, Stan Javie, was also a sports official. Stan Javie worked in the National Football League from 1951 to 1980 as a field judge and back judge, and was assigned to officiate four Super Bowls. In an interview with Referee magazine, Steve Javie described his father as "a guy you'd go to war with. He had a passion. He was probably the official that everyone strives to be, but can't, because you have to be yourself. I can't be a Stan Javie and you can't be, but if you took all the characteristics and makeup, you'd want to be that kind of official." His godfather, Johnny Stevens, was an American League umpire and worked four World Series in a career that spanned from 1948 to 1975. Javie resides in