United States Basketball League

United States Basketball League (USBL)
	Logo USBL
Sport	Basketball
Founded	1985
Ceased	2008
Motto	"The League of Opportunity"
Country	USA
Continent	FIBA Americas (Americas)
Last; champion(s)	Kansas Cagerz (1st title)
Most titles	Atlantic City Seagulls ; Dodge City Legend ; Miami Tropics (3 titles each)
Official website	www.USBL.com (Archived)

The United States Basketball League (OTC Pink No Information: USBL), often abbreviated to the USBL, was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985.

History

The USBL started in 1985 as one of the first basketball leagues to play a late-spring to early-summer schedule. The league quickly became known as a development league for players, with many players moving up to the NBA and many more playing in Europe after stints here. In 1996, the league made a stock offering, a rarity among sports leagues. However, in later years, the league declined as rival leagues appeared and USBL had a tougher time replacing teams that folded. In the last two seasons, the league was mainly a midwestern league, with teams mainly in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

After speculation that the USBL might fold after the 2007 season,^[1] the league announced that it would sit out the 2008 season and consider its options for the future.^[2] In January 2010, the league expressed hopes to resume play in April 2010.^[3] However, no further news has surfaced from the league.

The final champions are the Kansas Cagerz, who won the title game on July 1, 2007.

Complete team list

Albany Patroons (2006–07)
Atlanta Trojans (1991–99, as Atlanta Eagles in 1991–93)
Atlantic City Seagulls (1996–2001)
Brevard Blue Ducks (1988, 1990–2004, as Jacksonville Hooters in 1988, 1990–92; as Daytona Beach Hooters in 1993; as Jacksonville Hooters in 1994; as Jacksonville Shooters in 1995; as Jacksonville Barracudas in 1996–98; as Gulf Coast SunDogs in 1999–2000; as Lakeland Blue Ducks in 2001; back to being the Brevard Blue Ducks in 2002–2004)
Brooklyn Kings (1999–2007)
Camden Power (1997–98, as Philadelphia Power in 1997)
Carolina Cardinals (1996)
Cedar Rapids River Raiders (2004)
Connecticut Skyhawks (1985, 1988, 1990–2001, as Connecticut Colonels in 1985; as New Haven Skyhawks in 1988, 1990–92)
Delaware Stars (2007)
Dodge City Legend (2000–2007)
Empire State Stallions (1991)
Florida Sea Dragons (2000–02, as Tampa Bay Windjammers in 1996–99)
Florida Sharks (1995–97)
Florence Flyers
Gary Steelheads (2007)
Jackson Jackals (1995)
Jackson Wildcats (2007), as Adirondack Wildcats (2002–04)
Jersey Shore Bucs (1988)
Jersey Turnpikes (1995)
Kansas Cagerz (1998–2007, as Columbus Cagerz in 1998)
Long Island Surf (1985, 1987–88, 1991–2001, as Long Island Knights in 1985, 1987–88)
Maryland Mustangs (2001)
Memphis Fire (1994–95)
Miami Tropics (1987–88, 1991–1993)
Mississippi Coast Gamblers (1994)
Nebraska Cranes (2005–2006)

Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers (2006–2007)
New Hampshire Thunder Loons (1996–99)
New Jersey Jammers (1985–88, 1992, as Jersey Jammers in 1986–88)
New Jersey Flyers (2004–05, as Florence Flyers in 2004)
New Jersey Meteors (2007)
New Jersey Shore Cats (1998–2001)
New York Whitecaps (1991)
Oklahoma Storm (2000–2007)
Palm Beach Stingrays (1986–88, 1990, 1992–94, as Gold Coast Stingrays in 1986; as West Palm Beach Stingrays in 1987)
Philadelphia Aces (1985–88, 1990 as Wildwood Aces in 1985–86)
Philadelphia Spirit (1991–92)
Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs (1999–2006)
Portland Wave (1996–97, as Portland Mountain Cats in 1996)
Raleigh Cougars (1997–99)
Rhode Island Gulls (1985, 1987)
Saint Joseph Express (2002, 2004)
Saint Louis Skyhawks (2002–2004)
Springfield Fame (1985–86)
Staten Island Stallions (1986–87)
Suncoast Sunblasters (1991)
Tampa Bay Stars (1986–87, as Tampa Bay Flash in 1986)
Tampa Bay Sunblasters (1992)
Texas Rim Rockers (2003–04), no relationship to the American Basketball Association (2000-present) team of the same name
Treasure Coast Tropics (1996, as Miami Tropics in 1987–88, 1991–95)
Tulsa Tough-Necks (1999–2000)
Washington Congressionals (1998–2000)
Westchester Golden Apples (1985–86)
Westchester Stallions (1993–94)
Westchester Kings (1997)
Westchester Wildfire (2003–05)

USBL Champions

Year Champion, score Runner-up, score
1985 Springfield Fame (19–6), Won regular season, No Playoffs
1986 Tampa Bay Flash (22–8), Won regular season, No Playoffs
1987 Miami Tropics 103 Rhode Island Gulls 99
1988 New Haven Skyhawks 134 Palm Beach Stingrays 126
1989 USBL Suspended Operations
1990 Jacksonville Hooters (15–1) Won regular season, No Playoffs
1991 Philadelphia Spirit 110 Miami Tropics 108
1992 Miami Tropics 116 Philadelphia Spirit 114
1993 Miami Tropics 139 Westchester Stallions 127
1994 Jacksonville Hooters 117 Atlanta Trojans 109
1995 Florida Sharks 109 Atlanta Trojans 104
1996 Florida Sharks 118 Atlantic City Seagulls 115
1997 Atlantic City Seagulls 114 Long Island Surf 112
1998 Atlantic City Seagulls 100 Long Island Surf 96
1999 Atlantic City Seagulls 83 Connecticut Skyhawks 77
2000 Dodge City Legend 89 Oklahoma Storm 86
2001 Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 100 Dodge City Legend 91
2002 Oklahoma Storm 122 Kansas Cagerz 109
2003 Dodge City Legend 97 Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 96
2004 Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 118 Brooklyn Kings 116
2005 Dodge City Legend 97 Kansas Cagerz 84
2006 Nebraska Cranes 100 Dodge City Legend 92
2007 Kansas Cagerz 95 Brooklyn Kings 92
2008 USBL Suspended Operations

Notable past players

Michael Adams – (Springfield Fame)
Darrell Armstrong – (Atlanta Trojans)
Tim Barnes – (Oklahoma Storm)
Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues – (Rhode Island Gulls)
Manute Bol – (Rhode Island Gulls)
Devin Brown – (Kansas Cagerz)
Lloyd Daniels – (Miami Tropics)
Mark Davis – (Long Island Knights)
Waliyy Dixon – (Atlantic City Seagulls)
Mario Elie – (Miami Tropics)
World B. Free – (Miami Tropics)
Raja Bell – (Tampa Bay Windjammers)
Doug Gottlieb – (Oklahoma Storm)
Darrin Hancock – (New Jersey Shore Cats), (Dodge City Legend), (Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs), (Kansas Cagerz)
Avery Johnson – (Palm Beach Stingrays)
Roy Jones, Jr. – (Brevard Blue Ducks)
Nancy Lieberman – (Springfield Fame)
Anthony Mason – (Long Island Surf)
Cheryl Miller – (Staten Island Stallions)
Jamario Moon – (Dodge City Legend), (Gary Steelheads)
Terrell Owens – (Adirondack Wildcats)
Lynette Richardson – (Miami Topics)
Micheal "Sugar" Ray Richardson – (Long Island Knights)
LaMont "ShowBoat" Robinson - (Long Island Knights)
Jim Rowinski - (Long Island Surf)
Anthony Jerome "Spud" Webb – (Rhode Island Gulls)
John "Hot Rod" Williams – (Rhode Island Gulls)
Shivang Patel – (Miami Tropics)
Kelvin Upshaw – (Palmbeach Stingrays)
Lorenzo Williams – (Palmbeach Stingrays)
Aqulis Bell – (Jacksonville Barracudas)
Edward Gamble – (Long Island Surf)
Vince Hizon – (Pennsylvania Valleydawgs)
R. Kelly – (Atlantic City Seagulls)
Kevin O'Rourke – (Miami Tropics)
Daryle Mickens – (Atlantic City Seagulls)

References

^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links

[1] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[2] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[3] "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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