The United States Basketball League (USBL) was a professional men's spring

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

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

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

(NBA) and many more playing in

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

. In 1996, the league made a

stock offering A public offering is the offering of securities of a company or a similar corporation to the public. Generally, the securities are to be publicly listed. In most jurisdictions, a public offering requires the issuing company to publish a prospectu ...

, 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 Kansas ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named a ...

Nebraska Nebraska ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Ka ...

, and

Oklahoma Oklahoma ( ; Choctaw language, Choctaw: , ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Texas to the south and west, Kansas to the north, Missouri to the northea ...

. After speculation that the USBL might fold after the 2007 season, the league announced that it would sit out the 2008 season and consider its options for the future. In January 2010, the league expressed hopes to resume play in April 2010. 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 A stockbroker is an individual or company that buys and sells stocks and other investments for a financial market participant in return for a commission, markup, or fee. In most countries they are regulated as a broker or broker-dealer and ...

from

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

. 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. Former

NBA The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

referee

Richie Powers Richard Francis Powers (October 14, 1930 – July 31, 1998) was an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1979. He worked 25 NBA Finals games, including the triple-overtime Game 5 contes ...

was named the league's vice president and director of operations, while

Earl Monroe Vernon Earl Monroe (born November 21, 1944) is an American former professional basketball player. He played for two teams, the Baltimore Bullets and the New York Knicks, during his career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Both teams ...

was the commissioner. Meisenheimer introduced a

salary cap In professional sports, a salary cap (or wage cap) is an agreement or rule that places a limit on the amount of money that a team can spend on players' salaries. It exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both. Seve ...

of $250,000 per team. The teams for the first season were the Connecticut Colonials from

New Haven, Connecticut New Haven is a city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is located on New Haven Harbor on the northern shore of Long Island Sound. With a population of 135,081 as determined by the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, New Haven is List ...

; the

New Jersey Jammers The New Jersey Jammers, known also as the Jersey Jammers, was a professional basketball in the United States Basketball League (USBL). The team was a charter franchise of the USBL in 1985. In 1985, the Jammers played home games at Lakewood High S ...

from

Jersey City, New Jersey Jersey City is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, second-most populous

; the

Long Island Knights The Long Island Surf were a professional basketball team based in Long Island, New York. They played 14 seasons in the United States Basketball League (USBL). History The franchise was established in 1985 as the Long Island Knights, and played i ...

from

Long Island, New York Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...

(owned by Meisenheimer himself); the

Rhode Island Gulls The Rhode Island Gulls was a team in the United States Basketball League (USBL) based in Warwick, Rhode Island during the 1985 and 1987 seasons. 1985 season In what was the USBL's inaugural season, the Gulls finished fourth in the seven-team circu ...

from

Warwick, Rhode Island Warwick ( or ) is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States, and is the third-largest city in the state, with a population of 82,823 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. Warwick is located approximately south of downtown Pr ...

; the Springfield Fame from

Springfield, Massachusetts Springfield is the most populous city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, and its county seat. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers: the western Westfield River, the ea ...

; the Westchester Golden Apples from

Westchester, New York Westchester County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of New York, bordering the Long Island Sound and the Byram River to its east and the Hudson River on its west. The county is the seventh most populous coun ...

; and the Wildwood Aces from

Wildwood, New Jersey Wildwood is a city in Cape May County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The city, and all of Cape May County, is part of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia- Wilmington- Camden, PA-NJ- DE- MD combined ...

. Several players with NBA experience joined the USBL: among them

Ken Bannister Kenneth Darnell Bannister (born April 1, 1960) is a retired American professional basketball player, from Baltimore, Maryland. At 6' 9" tall he was a power forward- center. College career Bannister played college basketball at Trinidad State ...

, Jim Bostic, Tracy Jackson,

Lowes Moore Lowes Lee Moore (born May 5, 1957) is a former American National Basketball Association (NBA) player. Moore was a 2-time Continental Basketball Association (CBA) champion for the Albany Patroons under coaches Phil Jackson and George Karl. Most k ...

Eddie Lee Wilkins Eddie Lee Wilkins (born May 7, 1962) is an American former basketball player. A 6'10" forward/ center who played college basketball for the Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, Wilkins played professionally for nine seasons in Italy, Spain and the ...

and

Sam Worthen Samuel Lee Worthen (born January 17, 1958) is an American former NBA player who currently is touring as the coach of the Washington Generals, the team that perennially loses to the Harlem Globetrotters. He was well known for his play at the R ...

. Other players who played in the 1985 USBL season would later play in the NBA, such as Michael Adams,

Manute Bol Manute Bol ( ; June 19, 2010) was a Sudanese-American professional basketball player and political activist. Listed at or tall, Bol was one of the two tallest players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After he p ...

, Ron Crevier,

Spud Webb Anthony Jerome "Spud" Webb (born July 13, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player. A point guard, Webb played college basketball at Midland College and at North Carolina State University. He then played for four teams in the N ...

and

John "Hot Rod" Williams John "Hot Rod" Williams (August 9, 1962 – December 11, 2015) was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1986 to 1999. Early life Williams was born in Sorrento, Louisiana, a small town ne ...

. 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. 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 The Gold Coast Stingrays are an Australian American football (gridiron) team competing in the Gridiron Queensland league. They are located in Nerang, Queensland Nerang is a town and suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. I ...

from

West Palm Beach, Florida West Palm Beach is a city in and the county seat of Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is located immediately to the west of the adjacent Palm Beach, Florida, Palm Beach, which is situated on a barrier island across the Lake Worth Lag ...

, the Staten Island Stallions from

Staten Island, New York Staten Island ( ) is the southernmost of the boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Richmond County and situated at the southernmost point of New York (state), New York. The borough is separated from the ad ...

and the Tampa Bay Flash from

Tampa, Florida Tampa ( ) is a city on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. Tampa's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and t ...

. In the same year

Nancy Lieberman Nancy Ilizabeth Lieberman (born July 1, 1958), nicknamed "Lady Magic", is an American former professional basketball player and coach in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) who is currently a broadcaster for the Oklahoma City Thun ...

joined the Springfield Fame and became the first female player to play in a professional league with men. Lieberman debuted in June 1986 in a game against the Staten Island Stallions, playing 3 minutes during which she did not score. In 1987 another woman joined the USBL: Lynette Richardson, who had played

college basketball College basketball is basketball that is played by teams of Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. In the Higher education in the United States, United States, colleges and universities are governed by collegiate athle ...

at Florida International, signed for the

Miami Tropics Miami is a coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a population of 6.14 million, is the second-largest metropolitan ...

. On June 13, 1987, Richardson and Lieberman played against each other during a game between the Miami Tropics and the

: Richardson scored 3 points while Lieberman scored 2. 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.

Complete team list

USBL Champions

''Teams played a single championship game at the end of the playoffs to name the league champions'' *1985 Springfield Fame (19–6) won regular season, no playoffs *1986 Tampa Bay Flash (22–8) won regular season, no playoffs *1987

103

99 *1988 New Haven Skyhawks 134

Palm Beach Stingrays 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 ...

126 *1989 ''USBL suspended operations'' *1990 Jacksonville Hooters (15–1) won regular season, no playoffs *1991 Philadelphia Spirit 110

108 *1992

116 Philadelphia Spirit 114 *1993

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 The Long Island Surf were a professional basketball team based in Long Island, New York. They played 14 seasons in the United States Basketball League (USBL). History The franchise was established in 1985 as the Long Island Knights, and played i ...

112 *1998 Atlantic City Seagulls 100

96 *1999 Atlantic City Seagulls 83

Connecticut Skyhawks The Connecticut Skyhawks were a men's spring-professional basketball team in the United States Basketball League The United States Basketball League (USBL) was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985 and ...

77 *2000 Dodge City Legend 89

Oklahoma Storm The Oklahoma Storm was a United States Basketball League (USBL) team in Enid, Oklahoma. Founded by sports agent and attorney James Sears Bryant, the Storm won the USBL championship under head coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 2002, defeating Kansas wit ...

86 *2001 Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs 100 Dodge City Legend 91 *2002

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''

League awards

Player of the Year

*1985:

, Rhode Island Gulls & Tracy Jackson, Springfield Fame *1986:

Don Collins Donald Collins (born November 28, 1958) is an American former professional basketball player. Collins was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, in the first round (18th pick), of the 1980 NBA draft. Collins played in 303 National Basketball Associatio ...

, Tampa Bay Flash *1987: Don Collins (2), Tampa Bay Stars *1988: Lewis Lloyd, Philadelphia Aces *1990: Jerry Johnson, Jacksonville Hooters *1991: Michael Anderson, Philadelphia Spirit *1992:

Roy Tarpley Roy James Tarpley Jr. (November 28, 1964 – January 9, 2015) was an American professional basketball player. He played the power forward and center positions in the National Basketball Association (NBA), earning an NBA Sixth Man of the Year Awa ...

, Miami Tropics *1993:

, Miami Tropics *1994: Stan Rose, Atlanta Trojans *1995: Charles Smith, Florida Sharks *1996: Brent Scott, Portland Mountain Cats *1997:

Dennis Edwards Dennis Edwards Jr. (February 3, 1943 – February 1, 2018) was an American soul and R&B singer who was best known as the frontman in The Temptations for Motown Records. Edwards joined the Temptations in 1968, replacing David Ruffin and sang w ...

, Florida Sharks *1998:

Curt Smith Curt Smith (born 24 June 1961) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is best known as the co-lead vocalist, bassist, and co-founding member of the pop rock band Tears for Fears along with childhood friend Roland ...

, Washington Congressionals *1999:

Adrian Griffin Adrian Darnell Griffin Sr. (born July 4, 1974) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as the head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played in the NBA a ...

, Atlantic City Seagulls *2000:

Sean Colson Sean Tyree Colson (born July 1, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At a height of tall, he played at the point guard position. College career Colson attended the University of ...

, Dodge City Legend *2001: Jason Lampa, Brooklyn Kings *2002:

Kwan Johnson Kwan may refer to: People * Gavin Kwan, Indonesian football player * Kwan (surname) (關), a Chinese surname * Kwan Cheatham (born 1995), American basketball player for Ironi Nes Ziona of the Israel Basketball Premier League * nickname of Kwandw ...

, Brevard Blue Ducks *2003:

Albert Mouring Albert may refer to: Companies * Albert Computers, Inc., a computer manufacturer in the 1980s * Albert Czech Republic, a supermarket chain in the Czech Republic * Albert Heijn, a supermarket chain in the Netherlands * Albert Market, a street mark ...

, Oklahoma Storm *2004: Chudney Gray, Brooklyn Kings *2005: Nate Johnson, Kansas Cagerz *2006: Quannas White, Oklahoma Storm *2007: Anthony Richardson, Kansas Cagerz

Postseason MVP

*1987: World B. Free, Miami Tropics *1988:

Bobby Parks Bobby Ray Parks Sr. (November 26, 1961 – March 30, 2013) was an American professional basketball player from Grand Junction, Tennessee. He played for Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) from 1980 to 1984 and played ...

, New Haven Skyhawks *1991: Paul Graham, Philadelphia Spirit *1992: Duane Washington, Miami Tropics *1993:

, Miami Tropics *1994:

Fred Lewis Frederick Deshaun Lewis (born December 9, 1980) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets, and in Nippon ...

, Jacksonville Hooters *1995: Charles Smith, Florida Sharks *1996: Charles Smith (2), Florida Sharks *1997: Mark Baker, Atlantic City Seagulls & Brent Scott, Atlantic City Seagulls *1998:

, Atlantic City Seagulls *1999: Adrian Griffin (2), Atlantic City Seagulls *2001: Frantz Pierre-Louis, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs &

Ace Custis Adrian "Ace" Custis (born May 24, 1974) is an American basketball coach and former professional basketball player. He last played in Japan with the Wakayama Trians. After a severe knee injury while trying out for the Dallas Mavericks, Ace became ...

, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs *2002: Joe Ira Clark, Oklahoma Storm *2003: Darrin Hancock, Dodge City Legend *2004:

Marcus Fleming John Marcus Fleming (13 March 1911 – 3 February 1976) was a British economist. Fleming was educated at Bathgate Academy and the University of Edinburgh, the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, and the London School of ...

, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs *2005: Jermaine Boyette, Dodge City Legend *2006: Alex Sanders, Nebraska Cranes *2007: Nate Johnson, Kansas Cagerz

Rookie of the Year

*1985:

, Rhode Island Gulls *1986:

Marty Embry Marty Embry (born March 28, 1964) is an American chef, entrepreneur and former professional basketball player. Basketball career At 6'9, 270 lbs., he was drafted out of DePaul University in the 4th round of the 1986 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz ...

, Jersey Jammers *1987:

Muggsy Bogues Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues (born January 9, 1965) is an American former basketball player. The shortest player ever to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Bogues played point guard for four teams during his 14-season care ...

, Rhode Island Gulls *1988:

Ricky Grace Ricky Ray Grace (born 20 August 1966) is an American-Australian former professional basketball player who spent the majority of his career in the Australian National Basketball League with the Perth Wildcats. Early life Grace attended Wilmer- ...

, Jersey Shore Bucs *1990: Randy Henry, Jacksonville Hooters *1991: Greg Sutton, Empire State Stallions *1992:

, Jacksonville Hooters *1993: Khari Jaxon, Palm Beach Stingrays *1994:

Randy Carter Randy is a given name, popular in the United States and Canada. It is primarily a masculine name. It was originally derived from the names Randall, Randolph, and Miranda, and may be a short form (hypocorism) of them. ''Randi'' is approximatel ...

, Memphis Fire *1995: Roger Crawford, Memphis Fire *1996: Mike Lloyd, Atlantic City Seagulls *1997:

Mikki Moore Clinton Renard "Mikki" Moore (pronounced "MY-key"; born November 4, 1975) is an American former professional basketball player. Early life and college Born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Moore graduated from Blacksburg High School at Blacksburg ...

, Atlanta Trojans *1998: Kerry Thompson, Tampa Bay Windjammers *1999: Adrian Pledger, New Hampshire Thunder Loons *2000: Jason Lampa, Long Island Surf *2001:

George Evans George Evans may refer to: Arts and entertainment * George "Honey Boy" Evans (1870–1915), American songwriter and entertainer * George Evans (bandleader) (1915–1993), English jazz bandleader, arranger and tenor saxophonist * George Evans (sin ...

, Maryland Mustangs *2002:

Devin Brown Devin LaVell Brown (born December 30, 1978) is an American former professional basketball shooting guard who played 8 seasons in the National Basketball Association. Brown won an NBA championship as a member of the San Antonio Spurs in 2005. ...

, Kansas Cagerz &

Corsley Edwards Corsley Edwards (born March 5, 1979) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Central Connecticut. Early life and college Edwards was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and graduated from Lake Clifton H ...

, Adirondack Wildcats *2003: Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings *2004:

Tony Bland Anthony David Bland (21 September 1970 – 3 March 1993) was a supporter of Liverpool F.C. who was injured in the Hillsborough disaster. He suffered severe brain damage that left him in a persistent vegetative state; as a consequence of that, t ...

, Brevard Blue Ducks *2005: Badou Gaye, Westchester Wildfire & John Allen, New Jersey Flyers *2006: Tristan Smith, Long Island PrimeTime *2007: Adam Schaper, Gary Steelheads

Coach of the Year

*1985: Gerald Oliver, Springfield Fame *1986:

Henry Bibby Charles Henry Bibby (born November 24, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player who played for the New York Knicks, New Orleans Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers, and San Diego Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He ...

, Springfield Fame *1987: Gordon Gibbons, Tampa Bay Stars *1988:

Dave Ervin Dave may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Dave'' (film), a 1993 film starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver * ''Dave'' (musical), a 2018 stage musical adaptation of the 1993 film * ''Dave'' (TV series), a 2020 American comedy series * ...

, Philadelphia Aces *1990: Rex Morgan, Jacksonville Hooters *1991: Bill Lange, Philadelphia Spirit *1992: Al Outlaw, Atlanta Eagles *1993:

John Lucas II John Harding Lucas II (born October 31, 1953) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played basketba ...

, Miami Tropics *1994: Al Outlaw (2), Atlanta Trojans *1995: Mike Mashak, Jersey Turnpikes *1996:

Eric Musselman Eric Musselman (born November 19, 1964) is an American college basketball coach who is currently the head coach at the University of Southern California. He is the former head coach at the University of Arkansas, University of Nevada, Reno, the ...

, Florida Sharks *1997:

Kevin Mackey Kevin Mackey (born August 21, 1946) is a former head coach of men's basketball at Cleveland State University. His CSU Vikings upset the Indiana Hoosiers and the Saint Joseph's Hawks to make the Sweet 16 in the 1986 NCAA Division I men's baske ...

, Atlantic City Seagulls *1998:

Ray Hodge Ray or RAY may refer to: Fish * Ray (fish), any cartilaginous fish of the superorder Batoidea * Ray (fish fin anatomy), the bony or horny spine on ray-finned fish Science and mathematics * Half-line (geometry) or ray, half of a line split at a ...

, Connecticut Skyhawks *1999:

Darryl Dawkins Darryl R. Dawkins (January 11, 1957 – August 27, 2015) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He was particularly known for his tenure with the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, althoug ...

, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs & Kevin Mackey (2), Atlantic City Seagulls *2000: Kent Davidson, Dodge City Legend *2001:

Robert Parish Robert Lee Parish (born August 30, 1953) is an American former professional basketball player. A 7'1" Center (basketball), center, nicknamed "the Chief", Parish played for four teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1976 to 199 ...

, Maryland Mustangs *2002: Francis Flax, Kansas Cagerz &

Harvey Grant Harvey Grant (born July 4, 1965) is an American former professional National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player. He is the identical twin brother of Horace Grant, also a former NBA player. College career Grant transferred to Oklaho ...

, Brevard Blue Ducks *2003:

Cliff Levingston Clifford Eugene Levingston (born January 4, 1961) is an American professional basketball coach and former player. Professional playing career A former power forward, Levingston played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Levingston s ...

, Dodge City Legend *2004: Dale Osbourne, Dodge City Legend *2005:

Ken Charles Kenneth M. Charles (born July 10, 1951) is a Trinidadian retired basketball player who played guard for the Buffalo Braves (1973–1976) and Atlanta Hawks (1976–1978). He was a , guard. Charles was born on the island of Trinidad and moved to ...

, Brooklyn Kings *2006:

Bryan Gates Bryan Gates is an American professional basketball coach who has been an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers since 2023. Gates began his coaching experience with the Idaho Stampede and the Rapid City Thrillers during the late 1990s. In th ...

, Oklahoma Storm *2007: Dale Osbourne (2), Dodge City Legend

Defensive Player of the Year

*2002: Johnny Jackson, Kansas Cagerz *2003: Kevin Freeman, Westchester Wildfire *2004:

Immanuel McElroy Immanuel Jarod McElroy (born March 25, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player. He played as a point guard-shooting guard and small forward. College career McElroy played college basketball at Tyler Junior College from 1998-00 ...

, Dodge City Legend *2005: Eric Coley, Oklahoma Storm *2006: Anthony Johnson, Kansas Cagerz *2007:

Ronald Ross Sir Ronald Ross (13 May 1857 – 16 September 1932) was a British medical doctor who received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for his work on the transmission of malaria, becoming the first British Nobel laureate, and the f ...

, Albany Patroons

Man of the Year

*1986: Jim Bostic, Westchester Golden Apples *1987: World B. Free, Miami Tropics *1988: Michael Brooks, Philadelphia Aces *1992:

, Miami Tropics *1993: Al Outlaw, Atlanta Eagles *1996:

Roy Jones Jr. Roy Levesta Jones Jr. (born January 16, 1969) is an American professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in four weight classes, including middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. As an amateur he r ...

, Jacksonville Barracudas

Statistical leaders

Scoring leaders

Rebounding leaders

Assists leaders

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.

Players

An alphabetical listing of 20 voted players is as follows: * Michael Adams - Guard * Herman Alston - Guard *

Darrell Armstrong Darrell Eugene Armstrong (born June 22, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player, who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He is an assistant coach for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, who won the championship i ...

- Guard *

- Forward *

- Center * Don Collins - Forward *

Tyrone Bogues Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues (born January 9, 1965) is an American former basketball player. The shortest player ever to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Bogues played point guard for four teams during his 14-season care ...

- Guard *

- Guard * Johnny Jackson - Forward *

Avery Johnson Avery DeWitt Johnson (born March 25, 1965) is an American basketball television commentator, former player and coach who previously served as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. He is an NBA and college basketball ana ...

- Guard *

- Guard * Jason Lampa - Guard * Michael Lloyd - Guard * Anthony Mason - Forward * Andre Perry - Forward * Brent Scott - Forward * Charles Smith - Guard *

John Strickland John Strickland is a British film and television director.''Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors: Volume 1'', Page XVIII Some of his credits include ''The Murder of Princess Diana'', ''Maigret'', ''The Bill'', ''Clocking Off'', ''Trust'', ...

- Forward * Roy Tarpley - Center * John "Hot Rod" Williams - Center ''Honorable mention by USBL (2005)'': * Chris Childs - Spent two years with the

and then a long

career. *

Norris Coleman Norris James Coleman (born September 27, 1961) is an American retired professional basketball player who was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round (38th pick overall) of the 1987 NBA draft. A 6'8" forward from Kansas State Un ...

- Second All-Time leading scorer in the USBL. *

Lloyd Daniels Lloyd "Swee'Pea" Daniels (born September 4, 1967) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Early life Daniels grew up in Brooklyn, and was raised by his relatives from the age ...

- "Sweet Pea" first showed the world his talents in the USBL. *

Richard Dumas Richard Wayne Dumas Jr. (born May 19, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he is the son of former American Basketball Association (ABA) player Rich Dumas. Basketball career Dumas, a 6' 7" smal ...

- Proved that his troubles were behind him with the 1992

. *

Mario Elie Mario Antoine Elie (born November 26, 1963) is an American former professional basketball coach and player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Elie grew up in New York City and played college basketball for the American International ...

- A short stint in 1987 was parlayed into a 12 year

career. *

- The 1998 Player of the Year. * Darrin Hancock - Is one of only two players with 3 USBL Championship Rings. *

Damon Jones Damon Darron Jones (born August 25, 1979) is an American former professional basketball player who played most of his career for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A combo guard, he played college basketball ...

- The

Miami Heat The Miami Heat are an American professional basketball team based in Miami. The Heat compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern C ...

guard played on a talented 1998 Jacksonville squad. *

Tim Legler Timothy Eugene Legler (born December 26, 1966) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is currently an ESPN basketball analyst and co-host/analyst on SiriusXM NBA Radio. C ...

- The

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

analyst played 4 great seasons with the Philadelphia franchise. * Sam Mitchell -

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), E ...

Head Coach played two season in Westchester in 1985-85. *

Kareem Reid Kareem Reid (born August 27, 1975) is a former point guard in the National Basketball Development League. He played college basketball for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, and went on to play professionally in several leagues in the Unite ...

- Known as "The Best Kept Secret". * Lazarus Sims - Known as "Z". *

- The 1998 Player of the Year. * Jermaine Walker - A scoring force for 5 seasons for Rex Morgan's coached teams. *

- Set the stage for Arkansas Little men becoming a force in the

Coaches

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ( ; born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. , April 16, 1947) is an American former basketball player. He played professionally for 20 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Associatio ...

* Darryl Dawkins * Francis Flax * Gordon Gibbons *

* John Lucas * Rex Morgan *

* Gerald Oliver

Notable past players

''Source'' USA * Flag of the United States

Michael Adams – ( Springfield Fame) * Flag of the United States

Michael Anderson – ( Philadelphia Aces, Philadelphia Spirit) * Flag of the United States

– ( Atlanta Trojans) * Flag of the United States

Raja Bell Raja Dia Bell (born September 19, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, and Go ...

– (Tampa Bay Windjammers) * Flag of the United States

- ( Springfield Fame) * Flag of the United States

Mark Blount – ( Atlantic City Seagulls, New Jersey Shorecats) * Flag of the United States

Muggsy Bogues, Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues – (

) *

– ( Kansas Cagerz) * Flag of the United States

Chris Childs – (

) *

– (

) *

Mark Davis (basketball, born 1960), Mark Davis – (Long Island Surf, Long Island Knights) * Flag of the United States

Waliyy Dixon – ( Atlantic City Seagulls) * Flag of the United States

– (

) *

– (

) *

LeRon Ellis – (

) *

World B. Free – (

) *

Doug Gottlieb – (

) *

Darrin Hancock – (New Jersey Shore Cats, Dodge City Legend, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, Kansas Cagerz) * Flag of the United States

Antonio Harvey – (Atlanta Eagles) * Flag of the United States

Vince Hizon – (Pennsylvania Valleydawgs) * Flag of the United States

Craig Hodges – (Washington Congressionals) * Flag of the United States

Anderson Hunt – (

) *

Mike James (basketball, born 1975), Mike James – (

) *

Keith Jennings (basketball), Keith Jennings – ( Jacksonville Hooters) * Flag of the United States

– (

) *

Anthony Jones (basketball, born 1962), Anthony Jones – (

) *

– (Brevard Blue Ducks) * Flag of the United States

Eddie Jordan (basketball), Eddie Jordan – (Jersey Jammers) * Flag of the United States

R. Kelly – ( Atlantic City Seagulls) * Flag of the United States

Shawn Kemp -

Rusty LaRue – (Carolina Cardinals) * Flag of the United States

– ( Springfield Fame) * Flag of the United States

Anthony Mason – (

) *

Cheryl Miller – ( Staten Island Stallions) * Flag of the United States

Jamario Moon – ( Dodge City Legend), (Gary Steelheads) * Flag of the United States

Moochie Norris – (Washington Congressionals) * Flag of the United States

Kevin Ollie – (

) *

Terrell Owens – (Adirondack Wildcats) * Flag of the United States

Victor Page – (Washington Congressionals) * Flag of the United States

Simeon Rice – (Philadelphia Power) * Flag of the United States

Lynette Richardson – (

) *

Micheal Ray Richardson, Micheal "Sugar" Ray Richardson – (

) *

Cliff Robinson (basketball, born 1960), Cliff Robinson – (

) *

LaMont "ShowBoat" Robinson - (

) *

Jim Rowinski - (

) *

Shawnelle Scott – (

) *

Charles Smith – ( Florida Sharks) * Flag of the United States

– (Washington Congressionals) * Flag of the United States

Mark Strickland – ( Philadelphia Spirit, Atlanta Trojans, Atlantic City Seagulls) * Flag of the United States

Derek Strong – (

) *

– (

) *

Kelvin Upshaw – (Palmbeach Stingrays) * Flag of the United States

Chris Washburn – (

, Westchester Stallions) * Flag of the United States

Spud Webb, Anthony "Spud" Webb – (

) *

Freeman Williams – (

) *

– (

) *

Lorenzo Williams (basketball, born 1969), Lorenzo Williams – (Palmbeach Stingrays) * Flag of the United States

Ime Udoka – (Adirondack Wildcats) Rest of the World * Flag of the Philippines

Bong Alvarez - ( Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs) * Flag of Argentina

Marcelo Nicola – (

) *

– (

) * Nate Archibald – (Jersey Shore Bucs) * Flag of Nigeria

Yinka Dare – (New Jersey Shorecats)

References

External links

HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES BASKETBALL LEAGUE
on apbr.org

Press Releases from USBasket
{{Men's professional basketball leagues United States Basketball League, Defunct basketball leagues in the United States Defunct professional sports leagues in the United States Publicly traded sports companies Sports leagues established in 1985 Organizations disestablished in 2008 1985 establishments in the United States

History

Complete team list

USBL Champions

League awards

Player of the Year

Postseason MVP

Rookie of the Year

Coach of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year

Man of the Year

Statistical leaders

Scoring leaders

Rebounding leaders

Assists leaders

20th Anniversary Team

Players

Coaches

Notable past players

See also

References

External links