United States Basketball League (1985-1986)
Tombstone
Born: 1985 – USBL founding franchise
Moved: 1987 (Philadelphia Aces)
First Game:
Last Game:
USBL Championships: None
Arena
Marketing
Team Colors:
Ownership
Owners: Peter Bonastia & Robert Worton
Background
The Wildwood Aces were one of seven founding franchises in the United States Basketball League in the summer of 1985. The USBL started out as a low-level minor league loop in New England, New York and New Jersey, but in later seasons expanded as far afield as Kansas.
The New Jersey-based Aces finished dead last in the seven-team USBL in 1985 with a 6-18 record. In 1986, under new head coach Lefty Ervin, the Aces improved to 2nd place with a 23-10 record. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer the Wildwood Aces averaged between 400 and 500 fans per game at Convention Hall during the 1986 season.
The Aces’ top name was former Villanova star Stewart Granger, a former 1st round pick of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers in 1983.
Prior to the 1987 season, owner Peter Bonastia, a Northern New Jersey real estate developer, moved the Aces to Philadelphia.
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