American Basketball League (2013–2015)

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.

For other uses, see American Basketball League.
American Basketball League (ABL)
SportBasketball
Founded2012
Inaugural season2013
Ceased2015
No. of teams4
CountryUSA
ContinentFIBA Americas (Americas)
Last
champion(s)		Orlando Lightning (2015)
Most titlesFort Lauderdale Sharks & Orlando Lightning (1)
Official websiteabl-hoops.com

Steven A. Hanley,[1] former agent of Magic Johnson, was ABL President and CEO. Former assistant athletic director at Florida Atlantic University Eric Newsome held the position of league commissioner. He played college basketball at Miami University (1983–88), including three seasons with five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. Newsome 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 Archived 2017-03-07 at the Wayback Machine to form a division on the island.

No 2016 season was played.

Teams
Team City First season in ABL
Fort Lauderdale Sharks Fort Lauderdale, Florida 2013
Orlando Lightning Orlando, Florida 2014
Orlando Whalers Orlando, Florida 2015
Pompano Beach Piranhas Pompano Beach, Florida 2013

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. "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. 12 January 1987. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  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. Archived from the original on 2014-10-26. 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. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015.
  9. "Knights of the court - Professional basketball bounces into Destin". The Destin Log. 29 January 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-01-02.
  10. "Heartland Eagles ready to fly". Highlands Today. 29 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-01-02.
  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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