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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 ceased operations in 2008.

History
The United States Basketball League was founded in December 1984 by Daniel T. Meisenheimer, from Connecticut. 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 referee Richie Powers was named the league's vice president and director of operations, while Earl Monroe was the commissioner. Meisenheimer introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team. 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. Lieberman debuted in June 1986 in a game against the Staten Island Stallions, playing 3 minutes during which she did not score. 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. 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. ==Salary cap==
Salary cap
In 1985, the league introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team. In 1992, the salary cap was $40,000, with rookies being paid $315 per week. In 1998 it had remained the same, as each franchise had a regular season salary cap of $40,000, which meant that an average player earned roughly around $400 a week during the 2-month season of the league (rosters of 10 players). As reported in 2000, the annual salary cap of the league was $47,500 for a franchise, for all its players. No player was allowed to receive more than $1,000 per week as salary. ==USBL Draft==
USBL Draft
was the first pick in 2004. First picks are as below: USBL 1st overall picks == USBL Champions ==
USBL Champions
Source:nbahoopsonline.com Championship finals Teams played a single championship game at the end of the playoffs to name the league champions • In 1989 and 2008, USBL suspended operations. Division champions Northern - Southern era Eastern - Mid-West era • Division groups started in 1991. There were not held (one single group) between 1993 and 1995 and in 2007. The Mid-Atlantic Division lasted for only two seasons (1998 and 1999). ==Complete team list==
League awards
Player of the Year was the player of the year in 1999. Postseason Festival MVP Rookie of the Year was the rookie of the year in 1987. Coach of the Year Defensive Player of the Year Man of the Year was voted the Man of the Year in 1988. == Statistical leaders ==
Statistical leaders
Scoring leaders Rebounding leaders Assists leaders ==All-time records==
All-time records
Scoring leadersNorris Coleman, a four-time USBL All Star, was the USBL All-time leading Scorer with 3,104 points until 2001. He became the all-time scorer with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 2,949 points. • On June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson who was only 13 pts short, broke his all-time record in the game Westchester Wildfire - Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. • By June 21, 2005, Kwan Johnson was the USBL's All-Time (1985-2009) leading scorer overall with 3,453 points. Herman Alston is 3d on the list with 2,639 pts. Other leading scorers: Ron Matthias scored 2,293 points and he is 6th of all-time, Ken Bannister with 2,052 points is ninth (in 99 games) and Michael Lloyd is 10th with 2,031 points) • By June 21, 2005, Don Collins had the highest scoring average (31.4 pg), of any player scored over 1,000 pts in USBL's history. • By June 21, 2005, John Strickland was the All-Time leader in playoff points with 213. Michael Lloyd is second on the list as he has recorded 206 career playoff points. All-time scorers Games leadersNorris Coleman became the all-time scorrecordman in total games played with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 111 points. • On June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson became the All -time leader in games played with 145 breaking Norris Coleman record of 144. • By June 21, 2005, Kwan Johnson was the overall recordman in games played with 177 (in 8 seasons). Herman Alston had 144 games (in 7 seasons) • Roy Tarpley who played 16 games for the Miami Tropics in 1992, holds the record for the longest time span between seasons played (13) as he played for the Dodge City Legends in 2005. Steals leaders • By June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson was also the All-time leader in steals with 279. • By June 21, 2005, Johnson was overall the USBL's All-Time recordman with 316 steals. Darrell Armstrong was all-time third in steals with 259. Assists leaders • By June 21, 2005, Charles Smith had 549 assists (in 46 games). Darrell Armstrong was 10th in assists with 491. Rebounds leaders • By June 21, 2005, Johnny Jackson was the all-time leader in rebounds with 1,311. Andre Perry was third with 1,179. • Norris Coleman became the top rebounder with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 891 rebounds. • Manute Bol (in 1985) and Anthony Mason (in 1991) hold the record for the most rebounds in a game with 28. All-time rebounders Free throws leaders • By June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson was also the All -Time Leader in free throws scoring 803 (out of 1,132). • By June 21, 2005, Johnson remained on top with 905 (out of 1,286). Top scorers in a single game Byron Strickland holds the record for most points scored in a single game. • 65 pts. Byron Strickland, Jersey Jammers vs Springfield Fame, 8/18/1986 • 63 pts. Don Collins, Tampa Bay Flash vs Jersey Jammers, 8/9/1986 • 55 pts. Norris Coleman, Jacksonville Hooters vs Philadelphia Aces, 6/13/1988 • 54 pts. Martin Clark, Rhode Island Gulls vs Long Island Knights, 7/10/1985 • 54 pts. Steve Gilbert, Jacksonville Shooters vs Memphis Fire, 6/28/1995 • 53 pts. Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/22/2003 • 51 pts. Stewart Granger, Wildwood Aces vs Jersey Jammers, 7/16/1986 • 51 pts. Lewis Lloyd, Philadelphia Spirit vs Palm Beach Stingrays, 7/22/1988 • 51 pts. Adrian Griffin, Atlantic City Seagulls vs Pennsylvania Valleydawgs, 5/22/1999 • 50 pts. Martin Clark, Rhode Island Gulls vs Long Island Knights, 7/10/1985 • 49 pts. Cedric Henderson, Jacksonville Hooters 155-127 at Long Island Knights, at SUNY-Stony Brook, 6/20/1988 • 49 pts. Dennis Edwards, Florida Sharks vs Jacksonville Barracudas, 6/8/1997 • 49 pts. Mike Lloyd, Atlantic City Seagulls vs Washington Congressionals, 5/20/1999 • 49 pts. Devin Brown, Kansas Cagerz vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/28/2002 USBL Tournament Semi-Finals at Enid, Okla. • 49 pts. Bingo Merriex, Texas Rim Rockers vs Oklahoma Storm, 5/16/2003 • 48 pts. Mark Davis, Long Island Knights vs Staten Island Stallions, 7/17/1987 • 48 pts. Ken Bannister, Miami Tropics vs Long Island Surf, 6/12/1993 • 47 pts. Roy Tarpley, Miami Tropics vs Jacksonville Hooters, 7/21/1992 (24 reb.) • 47 pts. Mark Brisker, Daytona Beach Hooters vs Connecticut Skyhawks, 6/29/1993 • 47 pts. Duane Simpkins, Kansas Cagerz vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/28/2002 USBL Tournament Semi-Finals at Mark Price Arena, Enid, Oklahoma • 47 pts. Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings vs Brevard Blue Ducks, 6/17/2003 at L.I.U. Schwartz Center ==All Star Game==
All Star Game
was selected for the USBL All-Stars in the 1987 edition. The first edition was held in 1985 at Springfield Civic Center in front of 5,093 fans. Springfield Fame beat the USBL All-Stars, 87-75, in league's inaugural all-star game in 1985. Michael Adams with 18 points and 7 steals was the MVP. The 1985 All-Star team featured Manute Bol, Spud Webb, and John "Hot Rod" Williams among others. The 1986 All-Star Game also took place at the Springfield Civic Center on July 25, 1986. In the 1987 edition Rhode Island Gulls hosted the event and defeated the USBL All-Stars by 119-112. Muggsy Bogues who had just been selected 12th in the 1987 NBA Draft was the MVP. The 4th edition was hosted at Philadelphia Civic Center on June 25, 1988 and it was broadcast live at 2 pm by FNN. The 6th All Star Game was played on June 29, in 1991 at Glens Falls, New York. Paul Graham led the All-Stars to a 132-126 victory over the Empire State Stallions and was named the MVP. Also future NBA players like Greg Sutton and Keith "Mister" Jennings played in the 1991 edition. In total five members of the 1991 All Star Game had NBA experience: Earl Cureton, Antony Mason, Norris Coleman, Wes Matthews and Michael Anderson. The 2000 All-Star Game was held on 2 July 2000. The league also had a USBL All-Star Travel Team. In 1991 they won the silver medal in the Winston world basketball cup (July 26–28, San Juan, Puerto Rico) under coach Rex Morgan, Notable USBL All-StarsSugar Ray Richardson (1987) • Norris Coleman (1987, 1988, 1991, 1992) • Chuck Nevitt (1991) • Antony Mason (1991) • Richard Rellford (1987) • Mitchell Wiggins (1987) • Michael Brooks (1987) • Dan Trant (1985) • Ron Crevier (1985) • Stewart Granger (1987) • Larry Lawrence (1985) • John "Hot Rod" Williams (1985) • Manute Bol (1985) • Roy Tarpley (1992) • Muggsy Bogues (1987) • Don Collins (1987) • Eddie Lee Wilkins (1987) • World B. Free (1987) ==Anniversary teams==
Anniversary teams
15th anniversary team In 2001 the USBL asked its fans to vote online for a USBL "All-15 Team", to celebrate the league's 15th anniversary. Players An alphabetical listing of 20 voted players is as follows: • Michael Adams - guard • Herman Alston - guard • Darrell Armstrong - guard • Ken Bannister - forward • Tyrone Bogues - guard • Manute Bol - center • Don Collins - forward • Adrian Griffin - guard • Johnny Jackson - forward • Avery Johnson - guard • Kwan Johnson - guard • Jason Lampa - guard • Michael Lloyd - guard • Anthony Mason - forward • Andre Perry - forward • Brent Scott - forward • Charles Smith - guard • John Strickland - forward • Roy Tarpley - center • John "Hot Rod" Williams - center Honorable mention by USBL (2005): • Chris Childs - Spent two years with the Miami Tropics and then a long NBA career. • Norris Coleman - Second All-Time leading scorer in the USBL. • Lloyd Daniels - "Sweet Pea" first showed the world his talents in the USBL. • Richard Dumas - Proved that his troubles were behind him with the 1992 Miami Tropics. • Dennis Edwards - The 1998 Player of the Year. • Mario Elie - A short stint in 1987 was parlayed into a 12 year NBA career. • Darrin Hancock - Is one of only two players with 3 USBL Championship Rings. • Damon Jones - The Miami Heat guard played on a talented 1998 Jacksonville squad. • Tim Legler - The ESPN analyst played 4 great seasons with the Philadelphia franchise. • Sam Mitchell - Toronto Raptors Head Coach played two season in Westchester in 1985-85. • Kareem Reid - Known as "The Best Kept Secret". • Lazarus Sims - Known as "Z". • Curt Smith - The 1998 Player of the Year. • Jermaine Walker - A scoring force for 5 seasons for Rex Morgan's coached teams. • Spud Webb - Set the stage for Arkansas Little men becoming a force in the NBA. CoachesKareem Abdul-JabbarKen CharlesDarryl DawkinsFrancis FlaxGordon GibbonsRay HodgeCliff LevingstonJohn LucasRex MorganEric MusselmanGerald Oliver ==Notable past players==
Notable past players
Source Players by country USAMichael Adams (Springfield Fame) • Michael Anderson (Philadelphia Aces, Philadelphia Spirit) • Darrell Armstrong (Atlanta Trojans) • Raja Bell (Tampa Bay Windjammers) • Henry Bibby (Springfield Fame) • Mark Blount (Atlantic City Seagulls, New Jersey Shorecats) • Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (Rhode Island Gulls) • Devin Brown (Kansas Cagerz) • Chris Childs (Miami Tropics) • Lloyd Daniels (Miami Tropics) • Mark Davis (Long Island Knights) • Waliyy Dixon (Atlantic City Seagulls) • Richard Dumas (Miami Tropics) • Mario Elie (Miami Tropics) • LeRon Ellis (Connecticut Skyhawks) • World B. Free (Miami Tropics) • Doug Gottlieb (Oklahoma Storm) • Darrin Hancock (New Jersey Shore Cats, Dodge City Legend, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, Kansas Cagerz) • Antonio Harvey (Atlanta Eagles) • Vince Hizon (Pennsylvania Valleydawgs) • Craig Hodges (Washington Congressionals) • Anderson Hunt (Miami Tropics) • Mike James (Long Island Surf) • Keith Jennings (Jacksonville Hooters) • Avery Johnson (Palm Beach Stingrays) • Anthony Jones (Palm Beach Stingrays) • Roy Jones Jr. (Brevard Blue Ducks) • Eddie Jordan (Jersey Jammers) • R. Kelly (Atlantic City Seagulls) • Shawn Kemp Oklahoma StormRusty LaRue (Carolina Cardinals) • Nancy Lieberman (Springfield Fame) • Anthony Mason (Long Island Surf) • Cheryl Miller (Staten Island Stallions) • Jamario Moon (Dodge City Legend, Gary Steelheads) • Moochie Norris (Washington Congressionals) • Kevin Ollie (Connecticut Skyhawks) • Terrell Owens (Adirondack Wildcats) • Victor Page (Washington Congressionals) • Simeon Rice (Philadelphia Power) • Lynette Richardson (Miami Tropics) • Micheal "Sugar" Ray Richardson (Long Island Knights) • Cliff Robinson (Miami Tropics) • LaMont "ShowBoat" Robinson (Long Island Knights) • Jim Rowinski (Long Island Surf) • Shawnelle Scott (Long Island Surf) • Charles Smith (Florida Sharks) • Curt Smith (Washington Congressionals) • Mark Strickland (Philadelphia Spirit, Atlanta Trojans, Atlantic City Seagulls) • Derek Strong (Miami Tropics) • Roy Tarpley (Miami Tropics) • Ime Udoka (Adirondack Wildcats) • Kelvin Upshaw (Palmbeach Stingrays) • Chris Washburn (Miami Tropics, Westchester Stallions) • Anthony "Spud" Webb (Rhode Island Gulls) • Freeman Williams (Miami Tropics) • John "Hot Rod" Williams (Rhode Island Gulls) • Lorenzo Williams (Palmbeach Stingrays) Rest of the worldBong Alvarez (Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs) • Nate Archibald (Jersey Shore Bucs) • Manute Bol (Rhode Island Gulls) • Yinka Dare (New Jersey Shorecats) • Marcelo Nicola (Long Island Surf) International players ==Hall of Famers==
Hall of Famers
===Basketball Hall of Fame=== • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oklahoma Storm coach • Nate Archibald, New Jersey Jammers coach, Jersey Shore Bucs player • Walt Frazier, Staten Island Stallions owner • Earl Monroe, USBL commissioner 1985 ===Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame=== • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oklahoma Storm coach • Nate Archibald, New Jersey Jammers coach, Jersey Shore Bucs player • Earl Monroe, USBL commissioner 1985 • Robert Parish, Maryland Mustangs coach ===NYC Basketball Hall of Fame=== • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oklahoma Storm coach • World B. Free, Miami Tropics player ==See also==
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