National Basketball Development League (2001-2005)
Tombstone
Born: June 21, 2001 – NBDL founding franchise
Moved: 2005 (Tulsa 66ers)
First Game:
Last Game:
NBDL Champions: 2004 & 2005
Arena
Asheville Civic Center (5,564)
Opened: 1974
Branding
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owner:
Background
The Asheville Altitude were one of eight founding franchises of the National Basketball Developmental League in 2001. The NBDL, more commonly known today as the “G-League” is an NBA-sponsored minor league system. The original eight franchises were all in the Southeastern United States. Today the D-League stretches from Maine to California.
The Altitude lasted four seasons in North Carolina. The team won the NBDL title during each of its final two seasons, but poor attendance doomed the team in Asheville. After averaging 1,037 fans per game at the Asheville Civic Center in 2001-02, crowds declined every year even as the team’s performance improved. During the Altitude’s final season in the winter of 2004-05, the team drew just 499 per game.
The franchise moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma prior to the 2005-06 season.
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