United States Basketball League (USBL)
SportBasketball
Founded1985
Ceased2008
Motto"The League of Opportunity"
CountryUSA
ContinentFIBA Americas (Americas)
Last
champion(s)		Kansas Cagerz (1st title)
Most titlesAtlantic City Seagulls
Dodge City Legend
Miami Tropics (3 titles each)
Official websitewww.USBL.com (archived)

The United States Basketball League (USBL) was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985 and ceased operations in 2008. 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.[1][2][3] 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,[4] the league announced that it would sit out the 2008 season and consider its options for the future.[5] In January 2010, the league expressed hopes to resume play in April 2010.[6] 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.

History

The United States Basketball League was founded in December 1984 by Daniel T. Meisenheimer, a stockbroker from Connecticut.[7][8][9] The league management initially planned to schedule about 40 games during the summer, and started to look for new teams to join the newly formed USBL.[10] Former NBA referee Richie Powers was named the league's vice president and director of operations, while Earl Monroe was the commissioner.[1] Meisenheimer introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team.[1][8] The teams for the first season were the Connecticut Colonials from New Haven, Connecticut; the New Jersey Jammers from Jersey City, New Jersey; the Long Island Knights from Long Island, New York (owned by Meisenheimer himself); the Rhode Island Gulls from Warwick, Rhode Island; the Springfield Fame from Springfield, Massachusetts; the Westchester Golden Apples from Westchester, New York; and the Wildwood Aces from Wildwood, New Jersey. Several players with NBA experience joined the USBL: among them Ken Bannister, Jim Bostic, Tracy Jackson, Lowes Moore, Eddie Lee Wilkins and Sam Worthen. Other players who played in the 1985 USBL season would later play in the NBA, such as Michael Adams, Manute Bol, Ron Crevier, Spud Webb and John "Hot Rod" Williams. After the regular season ended after each team played 25 games, the league management decided not to organize postseason games, since many players were going to join other teams for the start of the regular season of other leagues such as the NBA or the CBA.[11] The first USBL champions were the Springfield Fame, that had ended the regular season leading the league with a 19–6 record. Hot Rod Williams and Tracy Jackson were named co-MVPs, while Manute Bol led the league both in rebounds per game (14.2) and blocks per game (11.2).

In 1986 two teams, the Long Island Knights and the Rhode Island Gulls, left the league, and three new franchises joined the USBL: the Gold Coast Stingrays from West Palm Beach, Florida, the Staten Island Stallions from Staten Island, New York and the Tampa Bay Flash from Tampa, Florida. In the same year Nancy Lieberman joined the Springfield Fame and became the first female player to play in a professional league with men.[12] Lieberman debuted in June 1986 in a game against the Staten Island Stallions, playing 3 minutes during which she did not score.[12] In 1987 another woman joined the USBL: Lynette Richardson, who had played college basketball at Florida International, signed for the Miami Tropics.[13] On June 13, 1987, Richardson and Lieberman played against each other during a game between the Miami Tropics and the Long Island Knights: Richardson scored 3 points while Lieberman scored 2.[14][15]

The top teams of the regular season advanced to the USBL Postseason Festival, a playoffs system that saw teams play single elimination games in order to advance to the final game. On three occasions (1985, 1986 and 1990) no postseason was held, and the team with the best regular season record won the championship. In 1989 the USBL ceased operations temporarily in order to improve its organization, and resumed the following season, in 1990.[16]

Complete team list

Locations of final USBL teams and divisions

USBL Champions

Teams played a single championship game at the end of the playoffs to name the league champions

League awards

Player of the Year

Postseason MVP

Rookie of the Year

  • 1985: John "Hot Rod" Williams, Rhode Island Gulls
  • 1986: Marty Embry, Jersey Jammers
  • 1987: Muggsy Bogues, Rhode Island Gulls
  • 1988: Ricky Grace, Jersey Shore Bucs
  • 1990: Randy Henry, Jacksonville Hooters
  • 1991: Greg Sutton, Empire State Stallions
  • 1992: Fred Lewis, Jacksonville Hooters
  • 1993: Khari Jaxon, Palm Beach Stingrays
  • 1994: Randy Carter, Memphis Fire
  • 1995: Roger Crawford, Memphis Fire
  • 1996: Mike Lloyd, Atlantic City Seagulls
  • 1997: Mikki Moore, Atlanta Trojans
  • 1998: Kerry Thompson, Tampa Bay Windjammers
  • 1999: Adrian Pledger, New Hampshire Thunder Loons
  • 2000: Chudney Gray, Long Island Surf
  • 2001: George Evans, Maryland Mustangs
  • 2002: Devin Brown, Kansas Cagerz & Corsley Edwards, Adirondack Wildcats[17]
  • 2003: Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings[18]
  • 2004: Tony Bland, Brevard Blue Ducks[19]
  • 2005: Badou Gaye, Westchester Wildfire & John Allen, New Jersey Flyers[20]
  • 2006: Tristan Smith, Long Island PrimeTime[21]
  • 2007: Adam Schaper, Gary Steelheads[26]

Coach of the Year

  • 1985: Gerald Oliver, Springfield Fame
  • 1986: Henry Bibby, Springfield Fame
  • 1987: Gordon Gibbons, Tampa Bay Stars
  • 1988: Dave Ervin, Philadelphia Aces
  • 1990: Rex Morgan, Jacksonville Hooters
  • 1991: Bill Lange, Philadelphia Spirit
  • 1992: Al Outlaw, Atlanta Eagles
  • 1993: John Lucas II, Miami Tropics
  • 1994: Al Outlaw (2), Atlanta Trojans
  • 1995: Mike Mashak, Jersey Turnpikes
  • 1996: Eric Musselman, Florida Sharks
  • 1997: Kevin Mackey, Atlantic City Seagulls
  • 1998: Ray Hodge, Connecticut Skyhawks
  • 1999: Darryl Dawkins, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs & Kevin Mackey (2), Atlantic City Seagulls
  • 2000: Kent Davidson, Dodge City Legend
  • 2001: Robert Parish, Maryland Mustangs
  • 2002: Francis Flax, Kansas Cagerz & Harvey Grant, Brevard Blue Ducks[17]
  • 2003: Cliff Levingston, Dodge City Legend[18]
  • 2004: Dale Osbourne, Dodge City Legend[19]
  • 2005: Ken Charles, Brooklyn Kings[20]
  • 2006: Bryan Gates, Oklahoma Storm[21]
  • 2007: Dale Osbourne (2), Dodge City Legend[22]

Defensive Player of the Year

Man of the Year

Statistical leaders

Scoring leaders

Season Player Pos Team Points per
game
1985 John "Hot Rod" Williams C Rhode Island Gulls 23.1[27]
1986 Don Collins F/G Tampa Bay Stars 31.8[28]
1987 Don Collins (2) F/G Tampa Bay Stars 31.0[29]
1988 Richard Rellford F Palm Beach Stingrays 31.4[30]
1990 Lewis Lloyd G/F New Haven Skyhawks 26.8[31]
1991 Norris Coleman F Jacksonville Hooters 29.3[32]
1992 Roy Tarpley C Miami Tropics 32.2[33]
1993 Ken Bannister F/C Miami Tropics 30.2[34]
1994 Mark Brisker G Jacksonville Hooters 26.9
1995 Jerry Reynolds G/F Atlanta Trojans 26.3[35]
1996 Brent Scott C Portland Mountain Cats 29.8
1997 Dennis Edwards F Florida Sharks 32.8
1998 Ochiel Swaby F Tampa Bay Windjammers 26.2
1999 Mike Lloyd G Atlantic City Seagulls 27.3
2000 Sean Colson G Dodge City Legend 28.2
2001 Jermaine Walker C Lakeland Blue Ducks 27.5[36]
2002 Kwan Johnson G Brevard Blue Ducks 25.9
2003 Lenny Cooke G Brooklyn Kings 28.8[37]
2004 Jimmie Hunter G Adirondack Wildcats 26.7
2005 Kareem Reid G Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 27.4
2006 Brian Chase G Nebraska Cranes 19.9
2007 Anthony Richardson F Kansas Cagerz 20.0

Rebounding leaders

Season Player Pos Team Rebounds per
game
1985 Manute Bol C Rhode Island Gulls 14.2[27]
1986 Jim Bostic F Westchester Golden Apples 10.1[28]
1987 Hank McDowell F/C Rhode Island Gulls 10.7[29]
1988 Michael Brooks F Philadelphia Aces 13.5[30]
1990 Alex Roberts F New York Whitecaps 15.3[31]
1991 Anthony Mason F Long Island Surf 11.2[32]
1992 Roy Tarpley C Miami Tropics 17.0[33]
1993 Fred Lewis F Daytona Beach Hooters 9.3[34]
1994 Keith Lee F/C Memphis Fire 14.5
1995 Brent Scott C Miami Tropics 12.0[35]
1996 Shawnelle Scott C Long Island Surf 13.5
1997 Brent Scott (2) C Atlantic City Seagulls 11.4
1998 Andre Perry F Atlanta Trojans 11.0
1999 Andre Perry (2) F Atlanta Trojans 11.6
2000 Andre Perry (3) F Florida Sea Dragons 11.4
2001 John Jackson F Kansas Cagerz 12.0[36]
2002 John Jackson (2) F Kansas Cagerz 11.7
2003 Antonio Smith C Dodge City Legend 11.3
2004 Mario Woodson F Florence Flyers 10.5
2005 Roderick Riley C Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 10.2
2006 Steve Castleberry F Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers 10.7
2007 Jason Miller F/C Kansas Cagerz 8.0

Assists leaders

Season Player Pos Team Assists per
game
1985 Sam Worthen G Springfield Fame 8.5[27]
1986 Leroy Witherspoon G Tampa Bay Flash 15.1[28]
1987 Leroy Witherspoon (2) G Tampa Bay Flash 9.6[29]
1988 Duane Washington G New Haven Skyhawks 8.3[30]
1990 Jerry Johnson G Jacksonville Hooters 8.8[31]
1991 Michael Anderson G Philadelphia Aces 10.3[32]
1992 Tony Smith G New Jersey Jammers 9.2[33]
1993 David Cain G Long Island Surf 9.4[34]
1994 Jean Prioleau G Long Island Surf 10.3
1995 Charles Smith G Florida Sharks 11.9[35]
1996 Charles Smith (2) G Florida Sharks 11.4
1997 Mark Baker G Atlantic City Seagulls 7.2
1998 Curt Smith G Washington Congressionals 7.4
1999 James Blackwell G Tampa Bay Windjammers 7.4
2000 Sean Colson G Dodge City Legend 8.0
2001 Jermaine Jackson G Kansas Cagerz 9.6[36]
2002 Duane Simpkins G Kansas Cagerz 6.2
2003 Kareem Reid G Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 9.6
2004 Tyson Patterson G Florence Flyers 8.4
2005 Kareem Reid (2) G Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 8.9
2006 Tory Cavalieri G Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers 8.1
2007 Kareem Reid (3) G Albany Patroons 6.4

20th Anniversary Team

On 21 July 2005 the League announced the players of its "Top 20 and Beyond Anniversary Team" were chosen by a vote of executives, coaches, and administrators that have served over the years in the USBL.[38]

Players

An alphabetical listing of 20 voted players is as follows:

Honorable mention by USBL (2005):

  • United States Lloyd Daniels - "Sweet Pea" first showed the world his talents in the USBL.
  • United States Darrin Hancock - Is one of only two players with 3 USBL Championship Rings.
  • United States Tim Legler - The ESPN analyst played 4 great seasons with the Philadelphia franchise.

Coaches

Notable past players

Source[39]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Goldaper, Sam (June 25, 1985). "N.B.A. Hopfuls Find a Showcase". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  2. ↑ Bernucca, Chris (July 21, 1991). "The League of Opportunity". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  3. ↑ "USBL Players Playing in Europe". usbl.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 5, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ "United States Basketball League - News". Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
  6. ↑ "United States Basketball League - News". Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Daniel T. Meisenheimer". twst.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "Summer baskets loop set". New York Daily News. December 21, 1984. p. 311.
  9. ↑ "New Pro Basketball League Will Have Old Pros' Touch". Philadelphia Daily News. January 9, 1985. p. 76.
  10. ↑ "Hoop team a name with which to conjure". New York Daily News. February 28, 1985. p. 88.
  11. ↑ "Daniel T. Meisenheimer III, president and founder of the U.S. Basketball League, announced Friday that the first-year league will not conduct any type of playoffs or championship series this season". UPI. July 20, 1985. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  12. 1 2 Lidz, Franz (June 23, 1986). "Mixing It Up With the Guys". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  13. ↑ Camillone, Jude (June 2, 1987). "Seeking Jobs in the NBA, The USBL Is No Joke". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  14. ↑ "It's a whole other World for Free in summer USBL". The Akron Beacon Journal. June 14, 1987. p. 61.
  15. ↑ "Will Birmingham join the United States Basketball League?". birminghamprosports.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  16. ↑ "USBL 1989 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "USBL hands out postseason awards". oursportscentral.com. July 2, 2002. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "USBL hands out post-season awards". oursportscentral.com. July 2, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "USBL honors All-USBL Teams". oursportscentral.com. July 6, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "USBL reveals All-USBL teams". oursportscentral.com. July 5, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "Oklahoma's White named player of the year". oursportscentral.com. June 22, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  22. 1 2 3 "Cagerz Richardson named USBL MVP". kansascagerz.com. June 28, 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Atlantic City Seagulls win USBL title". The Philadelphia Inquirer. June 30, 1998. p. 47.
  24. ↑ "USBL Unveils 20th Anniversary Team". oursportscentral.com. June 21, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  25. ↑ "2006 USBL championship game recap". oursportscentral.com. June 25, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Steelheads' Schaper named USBL Rookie of the Year". oursportscentral.com. June 27, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  27. 1 2 3 "USBL 1985 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  28. 1 2 3 "USBL 1986 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  29. 1 2 3 "USBL 1987 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  30. 1 2 3 "USBL 1988 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  31. 1 2 3 "USBL 1990 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  32. 1 2 3 "USBL 1991 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  33. 1 2 3 "USBL 1992 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  34. 1 2 3 "USBL 1993 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  35. 1 2 3 "USBL 1995 Season Recap". usbl.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  36. 1 2 3 "United States Basketball League Standings". usbl.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2001. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  37. ↑ Farrey, Tom (July 10, 2012). "Buyer Beware Lenny Cooke Thought He Would Have It All. Now He Wonders What's Left". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  38. ↑ "USBL Unveils 20th Anniversary Team". oursportscentral.com. July 21, 2005.
  39. ↑ "All-Time USBL Roster". usbl.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
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