American Basketball League (2013)

American Basketball League (ABL)
Sport Basketball
Founded 2012
Inaugural season 2013
Ceased 2015
No. of teams 4
Country USA
Continent FIBA Americas (Americas)
Last
champion(s)		 Orlando Lightning (2015)
Most titles Fort Lauderdale Sharks & Orlando Lightning (1)
Official website abl-hoops.com

The American Basketball League (ABL) was a semi-professional men's basketball league that began play in January 2013. It is the fourth league to use the ABL name. The league now plays a summer schedule, beginning in June.

Steven A. Hanley,[1] former agent of Magic Johnson, is ABL President and CEO. Former assistant athletic director at Florida Atlantic University Eric Newsome holds the position of league commissioner. Newsome played college basketball at Miami University (1983–88), including three seasons with five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. He is fourth leading all-time scorers[2] for the RedHawks.

History

2013

Twelve teams (based in Florida and Texas) in two divisions (Lone Star and Tropics) competed in the inaugural season of 2013. The first season of the ABL began in January with a planned 24-game schedule.[3] The season was never completed due to a number of factors, including allegations of unpaid players and coaches[4] and game day incidents.[5]

2014

The second season featured a slimmed-down league with four south Florida-based teams competing. Two original teams, Fort Lauderdale Sharks and Palm Beach Hurricane, were joined by newcomers Orlando Lightning and Pompano Beach Cobras. After a 14-game regular season, Fort Lauderdale defeated Orlando 90-84[6] to win the first-ever ABL championship. Both teams finished 8-6 in the regular season, with the Sharks winning four-of-five matchups.

2015

Season 3 again had four teams competing with the expansion Orlando Whalers replacing the Palm Beach Hurricane. Orlando Lightning went 4-0 before defeating the Whalers in the championship game to capture the summer league title.

The league is reportedly in negotiations with The Bahamas Basketball Federation to form a division on the island.

No 2016 season was played.

Teams

Former teams

  • Corpus Christi Clutch[7][8]
  • Davie Stars
  • Emerald Coast Knights[9]
  • Heartland Eagles[10]
  • Lone Star Law[11]
  • Palm Beach Hurricane
  • Panama City Breeze
  • Pompano Beach Cobras
  • South Texas Revolution[12]
  • Sugar Land Legends (joined ABA in Fall of 2014)
  • Texas Surge[13][14]
  • Twin City United[15]

Champions

Year Champion Runner-up Result
2013 none no championship ---
2014 Fort Lauderdale Sharks Orlando Lightning 90-84
2015 Orlando Lightning Orlando Whalers 113-63

References

  1. ↑ "The new American Basketball League is taking dead aim at the NBA's D-League". Yahoo Sports. 4 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Men's Basketball Record Book" (PDF). MURedHawks.com. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Four ex-NBA coaches currently coaching in American Basketball League". ExNBA.com. 11 January 2013.
  4. ↑ "League in turmoil: Versions differ as to demise of ABL". News Herald. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Revolution aren't going anywhere". Laredo Morning Times. 14 March 2013.
  6. ↑ "Sharks Capture 2014 ABL Championship". ABL. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Corpus Christi Clutch debut to feature Johnny Moore vs. Calvin Murphy". Corpus Christi Caller Times. 17 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "Clutch Claim Close Win Over Revolution". KiiiTV. 4 February 2013.
  9. ↑ "Knights of the court - Professional basketball bounces into Destin". The Destin Log. 29 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "Heartland Eagles ready to fly". Highlands Today. 29 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "ABL's Lonestar Law Assistant Coach Nevil Shed To Be Honored at NCAA Tournament". PRWeb.com. 22 March 2013.
  12. ↑ "South Texas Revolution Makes a "Slam Dunk" Appearance at Gutierrez". Laredo Buzz. 18 January 2013.
  13. ↑ "San Antonio to have franchise in new pro league". MySanAntonio.com. 4 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Welcome to the American Basketball League - San Antonio is now home to the Texas Surge". February 2013.
  15. ↑ "Twin City United preparing for season". Brazos Sports. 19 December 2012.
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