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.

The United States Basketball League was founded in December 1984 by Daniel T. Meisenheimer, from Connecticut.^[1][2][3] 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.^[4] Former NBA referee Richie Powers was named the league's vice president and director of operations, while Earl Monroe was the commissioner.^[5] Meisenheimer introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team.^[5][2] 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. The first ever game in USBL was played on May 25, 1985, between Rhode Island Gulls and Springfield Fame (94-101) at the Springfield Civic Center. 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.^[6] 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.^[7] Lieberman debuted in June 1986 in a game against the Staten Island Stallions, playing 3 minutes during which she did not score.^[7] In 1987 another woman joined the USBL: Lynette Richardson, who had played college basketball at Florida International, signed for the Miami Tropics.^[8] 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.^[9][10]

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.^[11]

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.^[12] 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).^[13] 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.^[14]

First picks are as below:

USBL 1st overall picks

Source:nbahoopsonline.com

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

• In 1989 and 2008, USBL suspended operations.

• 1986: Jim Bostic, Westchester Golden Apples
• 1987: World B. Free, Miami Tropics
• 1988: Michael Brooks, Philadelphia Aces
• 1992: John Lucas II, Miami Tropics
• 1993: Al Outlaw, Atlanta Eagles
• 1996: Roy Jones Jr., Jacksonville Barracudas

• Norris Coleman, a four-time USBL All Star, was the USBL All-time leading Scorer with 3,104 points until 2001.^[55] 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.

• Norris 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.

• 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.

• By June 21, 2005, Charles Smith had 549 assists (in 46 games). Darrell Armstrong was 10th in assists with 491.

• 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.

• 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).

Byron Strickland holds the record for most points scored in a single game.^[56]

• 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

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.^[57] 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.^[58][59] 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.^[60]

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.^[61] The 2000 All-Star Game was held on 2 July 2000.^[62]

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,^[63] competeding against 6 national teams (Soviet Union, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Cuba) and KK POP 84. The USBL All-Stars lost to Puerto Rico in the final in front of 12,000 fans.

The USBL All-Stars also played at the 1992 Puerto Rico invitational tournament (June 17–22).^[64]

In 2001 the USBL asked its fans to vote online for a USBL "All-15 Team", to celebrate the league's 15th anniversary.^[65] The USBL finally presented 19 players.

An alphabetical listing of 19 voted players is as follows:

• Michael Adams - guard
• Herman Alston - guard
• Michael Anderson - guard
• Darrell Armstrong - guard
• Tyrone Bogues - guard
• Manute Bol - center
• Lloyd Daniels - forward
• Richard Dumas - forward
• Dennis Edwards - forward
• Adrian Griffin - guard
• Avery Johnson - guard
• Fred Lewis - forward
• Michael Lloyd - guard
• Anthony Mason - forward
• Charles Smith - guard
• John Strickland - forward
• Roy Tarpley - center
• Jermaine Walker - center
• John "Hot Rod" Williams - center

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 had served over the years in the USBL.^[66]

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.

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Ken Charles
• Darryl Dawkins
• Francis Flax
• Gordon Gibbons
• Ray Hodge
• Cliff Levingston
• John Lucas
• Rex Morgan
• Eric Musselman
• Gerald Oliver

Source^[67]

USA

• 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

• 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

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oklahoma Storm coach
• World B. Free, Miami Tropics player

• All-USBL Team
• List of developmental and minor sports leagues

• USBL 1985-1991

• History of the United States Basketball League on apbr.org
• USBL logos Archived February 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
• Official website on Wayback machine
• Press releases from USBasket
• United States Basketball League, Inc. registration