Continental Basketball Association (1980-1982)
Tombstone
Born: 1980 – The Utica Olympics relocate to Atlantic City, NJ
Folded: 1982
First Game: November 22, 1980 (L 132-104 @ Rochester Zeniths)
Final Game: March 14, 1982 (L 172-171 @ Maine Lumberjacks)
CBA Championships: None
Arenas
Branding
Team Colors: Red & White
Ownership
Owners: Steven Koplove, et al.
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
Continental Basketball Associatio AppareL
Royal Retros CBA apparel is coming soon!
Background
Obscure minor league basketball outfit that lasted two seasons in the Continental Basketball Association at the dawn of the 1980’s. The Hi Rollers split their time between Atlantic City and the seaside resort town of Wildwood, New Jersey, 30 minutes to the south. The team played in front of average crowds estimated at just 150-200 per game during its final season in the winter of 1981-82 (Morristown Daily Record 1/31/1982).
The team also appeared to use the name “Wildwood Hi Rollers” (as on the yearbook pictured above) on occasion, though league media guides always referred to the team as “Atlantic City”.
Al Green, a guard from Louisiana State University, led the Hi Rollers in scoring (26.5 ppg), assists (6.2) and steals (2.6) during the team’s first season in 1980-81. However, Green left the team to play professional in Australia before the season was over.
The Hi Rollers finished 2nd in the Eastern Division with a 22-18 record before falling to the Philadelphia Kings in the first round of the playoffs.
During the Hi Rollers second and final season in 1981-82, the team finished in last place with a 15-31 record and missed the playoffs. The club folded quietly after the season ended.
Atlantic City Hi Rollers Shop
Links
Continental Basketball Association Media Guides
Continental Basketball Association Programs
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