The Pros, with their monumentally boring name, were the first of three short-lived American Basketball Association franchises to set up shop at the Mid-South Coliseum during the 1970’s. The Pros preceded the Tams (1972-1974) and the Sounds (1974-1975) in this iconic league with its red, white & blue ball.
American Basketball Association (1975) Born: July 28, 1975 – Re-branded from San Diego Conquistadors Folded: November 11, 1975 First Game: October 24, 1975 (L 120-108 vs. Denver
American Basketball Association (1968-1969) Born: June 28, 1968 – The Pittsburgh Pipers relocate to Minneapolis, MNJune 28, 1968 Minnesota Pipers Moved (back to Pittsburgh):
The Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association were the state of Utah’s first major league professional sports franchise. The team arrived in June 1970 after cable television pioneer Bill Daniels acquired and moved the ABA’s Los Angeles Stars club. During their charmed first season in Salt Lake City, the Stars broke the ABA attendance record and defeated the Kentucky Colonels for the league championship. The Stars also made history by signing 19-year old future Hall-of-Famer Moses Malone in 1974. Malone became the first player in the modern era to jump directly from high school to the pro game.
The Los Angeles Stars basketball team was a short-lived effort by the American Basketball Association to plant its flag in L.A. during the early years of its rivalry with the National Basketball Association. The Stars labored in the shadows of the NBA’s Lakers and never established a substantial following. Coached by Hall-of-Famer (and future Lakers coach) Bill Sharman, the Stars did enjoy a thrilling Cinderella playoff run at the end of their second and final season in L.A.
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