Tombstone
Formed: 1978
Folded: February 8, 2001
Re-Formed: 2001
Folded Again: February 3, 2009 (Announced)
First Game: October 27, 1978
Last Game: February 8, 2009
Seasons: 31
States & Provinces:
Leadership
Commissioner:
- April 1991 – August 1993: Terdema Ussery II
- February 1994 – August 1994: Mark Lamping
- August 1994 – May 1996: Tom Valdiserri
- July 1996 – June 1998: Steve Patterson (Los Angeles Times obituary)
- September 1998 – ?: Gary Hunter
- 2001-2006: Gary Hunter
- May 2007 – September 2008: Jim Coyne (Acting)
- September 2008 – February 2009: Dennis Truax
Attendance
We are missing Continental Basketball Association attendance figures for the league’s final three seasons from 2006 through 2009.
Sources:
- 1991-92 Official CBA Guide & Register (La Crosse Catbirds record regular attendance figure for 1980’s)
- 2005-06 Official CBA Guide & Register (1978-2005 CBA league figures & Rapid City Thrillers record regular season attendance figure for 1990’s)
- Whitney, Stu. “Skyforce could be part of possible merger”. The Argus Leaders (Sioux Falls, SD). March 22, 2006). (2005-06 CBA league figure)
Trophy Case
CBA Most Valuable Player
| Year | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978-79 | Andre McCarter | Rochester Zeniths | |
| 1979-80 | Ron Davis | Anchorage Northern Knights | |
| 1980-81 | Willie Smith | Montana Golden Nuggets | |
| 1981-82 | Ron Valentine | Montana Golden Nuggets | |
| 1982-83 | Robert Smith | Montana Golden Nuggets | |
| 1983-84 | Geff Crompton | Center | Puerto Rico Coquis |
| 1984-85 | Steve Hayes | Tampa Bay Thrillers | |
| 1985-86 | Michael Young | Detroit Spirits | |
| 1986-87 | Joe Binion | Topeka Sizzlers | |
| 1987-88 | Michael Brooks | Albany Patroons | |
| 1988-89 | Anthony Bowie | Quad City Thunder | |
| 1989-90 | Vince Askew | Forward | Albany Patroons |
| 1990-91 | Vince Askew | Forward | Albany Patroons |
| 1991-92 | Barry Mitchell | Quad City Thunder | |
| 1992-93 | Derek Strong | Quad City Thunder | |
| 1993-94 | Ronnie Grandison | Rochester Renegades | |
| 1994-95 | Eldridge Recasner | Yakima Sun Kings | |
| 1995-96 | Shelton Jones | Florida Beachdogs | |
| 1996-97 | Dexter Boney | Florida Beachdogs | |
| 1997-98 | Jimmy King | Quad City Thunder | |
| 1998-99 | Adrian Griffin | Connecticut Pride | |
| 1999-00 | Jeff McInnis | Quad City Thunder | |
| 2000-01 | No Award | League folded midseason | |
| 2001-02 | Mike Simon | Dakota Wizards | |
| 2002-03 | Andy Panko | Dakota Wizards | |
| 2003-04 | Josh Davis | Idaho Stampede | |
| 2004-05 | Sam Clancy | Idaho Stampede | |
| 2005-06 | |||
| 2006-07 | |||
| 2007-08 | |||
| 2008-09 |
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
Continental Basketball Association
Logo T-Shirt
This Old School Shirts release is strictly for the hardcore hoop heads.
Before the NBA had the G-League, it had the CBA with teams stretched from Puerto Rico to Honolulu. During the CBA’s 1980’s and 90’s heyday, the league provided a launching pad for future NBA All-Stars such as John Starks and Michael Adams as well as coaching legends Phil Jackson and George Karl.
When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Background
For most of the 1980′s and 1990′s, the Continental Basketball Association was the Official Developmental League of the NBA. The league was a launching pad for the careers of several prominent coaches and players, including Phil Jackson, George Karl, Michael Adams, John Starks and Tim Legler.
The CBA also became a destination of last resort for a number of faded stars whose careers were derailed by personal troubles, injury or outsized expectations. This list is much longer and includes names such as Lloyd Daniels, John Drew, Michael Ray Richardson, Roy Tarpley, and Chris Washburn.
During it’s 30-year existence, the league had teams in dozens of cities and truly lived up to its “continental” ambitions, with teams from Honolulu to Anchorage to Mexico City to Puerto Rico. Most of these teams were very short-lived and often under-capitalized. The pursuit of CBA memorabilia presents a daunting but rewarding challenge for collectors.
Continental Basketball Association Franchise List
| Franchise | Years Active | CBA Champions |
|---|---|---|
| Albany Patroons | 1982-1992 | 1984-1988 |
| Albany Patroons | 2005-2009 | None |
| Alberta Dusters | 1980-1982 | None |
| Albuquerque Silvers | 1983-1985 | None |
| Allentown Jets | 1978-79 | None |
| Anchorage Northern Knights | 1978-1982 | 1980 |
| Atlanta Krunk | 2007-2008 | None |
| Atlantic City Hi Rollers | 1980-1982 | None |
| Bakersfield Jammers | 1991-1992 | None |
| Baltimore Lightning | 1985-1986 | None |
| Baltimore Metros | 1978-1979 | None |
| Bay State Bombardiers | 1983-1986 | None |
| Billings Volcanos | 1980-1983 | None |
| Birmingham Bandits | 1991-1992 | None |
| Butte Daredevils | 2006-2008 | None |
| Capital Region Pontiacs | 1992-1993 | None |
| Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets | 1988-1991 | None |
| Charleston Gunners | 1986-1989 | None |
| Chicago Rockers | 1994-1996 | None |
| Cincinnati Slammers | 1984-1987 | None |
| Columbus Horizon | 1989-1994 | None |
| Connecticut Pride | 1995-2001 | 1999 |
| Dakota Wizards | 2001-2006 | 2002-2004 |
| Detroit Spirits | 1982-1986 | 1983 |
| East Kentucky Miners | 2007-2009 | None |
| Evansville Thunder | 1984-1986 | None |
| Fargo-Moorhead Beez | 2001-2002 | None |
| Fargo-Moorhead Fever | 1992-1994 | None |
| Flint Fuze | 2001-2002 | None |
| Florida Beachdogs | 1995-1997 | None |
| Florida Stingers | 1985-1986 | None |
| Fort Wayne Fury | 1991-2001 | None |
| Gary Steelheads | 2000-2006 | None |
| Grand Rapids Hoops | 1989-1994 & 1996-2003 | None |
| Grand Rapids Mackers | 1994-1996 | None |
| Great Falls Explorers | 2006-2008 | None |
| Great Lakes Storm | 2001-2005 | None |
| Harrisburg Hammerheads | 1994-1995 | None |
| Hartford Hellcats | 1993-1995 | None |
| Hawaii Volcanos | 1979-1980 | None |
| Idaho Stampede | 1997-2001 & 2002-2006 | 2001 |
| Indiana Alley Cats | 2006-2007 | None |
| Jacksonville Jets | 1986-1987 | None |
| Jersey Shore Bullets | 1978-1979 | None |
| Kansas City Sizzlers | 1985-1986 | None |
| La Crosse Bobcats | 1996-2001 | None |
| La Crosse Catbirds | 1985-1994 | 1990-1992 |
| Lancaster Lightning | 1981-1984 | 1982 |
| Lancaster Red Roses | 1978-1980 | None |
| Las Vegas Silvers | 1982-1983 | None |
| Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry | 2008-2009 | 2009 |
| Lehigh Valley Jets | 1979-1981 | None |
| Louisville Catbirds | 1983-1985 | None |
| Maine Lumberjacks | 1978-1983 | None |
| Maine Windjammers | 1985-1986 | None |
| Mexico City Aztecas | 1994-1995 | None |
| Michigan Mayhem | 2004-2006 | None |
| Minot Sky Rockets | 2006-2009 | None |
| Mississippi Jets | 1987-1989 | None |
| Mohawk Valley Thunderbirds | 1979 | None |
| Montana Golden Nuggets | 1980-1983 | None |
| Ohio Mixers | 1982-1984 | None |
| Oklahoma Cavalry | 2007-2008 | 2008 |
| Oklahoma City Cavalry | 1990-1997 | 1997 |
| Omaha Racers | 1989-1997 | 1993 |
| Pennsylvania Barons | 1979-1980 | None |
| Pensacola Tornados | 1986-1991 | None |
| Philadelphia Kings | 1980-1981 | None |
| Pittsburgh Piranhas | 1994-1995 | None |
| Pittsburgh Xplosion | 2006-2008 | None |
| Puerto Rico Coquis | 1983-1985 | None |
| Quad City Thunder | 1987-2001 | 1994-1998 |
| Rapid City Thrillers | 1987-1995 | 1987 |
| Reno Bighorns | 1982-1983 | None |
| Rio Grande Valley Silverados | 2007-2008 | None |
| Rochester Flyers | 1987-1989 | None |
| Rochester Renegade | 1992-1994 | None |
| Rochester Zeniths | 1978-1983 | 1979-1981 |
| Rockford Lightning | 1986-2006 | None |
| San Diego Wildcards | 1995-1996 | None |
| San Jose Jammers | 1989-1991 | None |
| Santa Barbara Islanders | 1989-1990 | None |
| Sarasota Stingers | 1983-1985 | None |
| Saskatchewan Hawks | 2001-2002 | None |
| Savannah Spirits | 1986-1988 | None |
| Scranton Aces | 1980-1981 | None |
| Shreveport Crawdads | 1994-1995 | None |
| Shreveport Storm | 1995-1996 | None |
| Sioux Falls Skyforce | 1989-2006 | 1996-2005 |
| Tampa Bay Thrillers | 1984-1987 | 1985-1986 |
| Topeka Sizzlers | 1986-1990 | None |
| Toronto Tornados | 1983-1986 | None |
| Tri-City Chinook | 1991-1995 | None |
| Tulsa Fast Breakers | 1988-1991 | 1989 |
| Tulsa Zone | 1991-1992 | None |
| Utah Eagles | 2006-2007 | None |
| Utica Olympics | 1979-1980 | None |
| Wichita Falls Texans | 1988-1994 | 1991 |
| Wilkes-Barre Barons | 1978-1979 | None |
| Wisconsin Flyers | 1982-1987 | None |
| Wyoming Wildcatters | 1982-1988 | None |
| Yakama Sun Kings | 2005-2008 | 1995-2006-2007 |
| Yakima Sun Kings | 1990-2001 & 2002-2005 | 2000-2003 |
Continental Basketball Association Shop
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14 Responses
Those were the good ol’days of basketball!
As a resident of Bangor from 77 to 81 I watched some Maine Lumberjack games at the Bangor Auditorium.
One night after a game, in bitter cold, blizzard conditions my car would not start. This was before cell phones and the net. Soon a man, leaving the auditorium and going to his car, saw me sitting in mine. He asked if I needed help. He used his AAA Card to get me emergency service, then gave me a ride to my home near the University of Maine when my car had to be towed to a local garage for work the next day. What a superb gesture from a perfect stanger in miserable conditions.
Well, I found out it was Lumberjack Head Coach Michael Uporsky. He was fired two weeks later.
He was the man who brought Billy Ray Bates to Bangor and built the franchise roster only to be run out of
town by the the likes of the ownership of the Jacks.
What ever became of Michael, I will never forget his
act of helping me in dire straits. NOT A WORD mentioned on him about the original Jacks and he was the man who assembled and coached them.
Joe Rebholz
The guys on espn PTI were discussing the former 7ft 5 inch player Chuck Nevitt. I know he played a back up role on a number of NBA teams. He was very clumsy and not agile but I remember him playing for the CBA team the rapid city thrillers for at least a year or two but I can’t find any reference to it online. Does anyone else remember him playing in the CBA in the early 90’s?
I don’t think Chuck Nevitt played for the Thrillers. But he did play for the Capital Region (NY) Pontiacs and the Hartford Hellcats of the CBA in the early 1990’s. The Pontiacs were a new name (based on a sponsorship with a local Pontiac car dealer group) for a team better known as the Albany Patroons. Both Phil Jackson and George Karl got their head coaching starts in the CBA and coached the Patroons to league championships during the 1980’s. – Drew
I think Chuck Nevitt played for more than one CBA team. Yes, you are right about Georgle Karl and Phil Jackson. I also watched Tim Legler the NBA shooting star and now ESPN analyst play CBA ball. I did find this roster of players that played for the rapid city thrillers and yes Chuck Nevitt was listed. I knew he had played for the Thrillers at some point in the late 80’s to early 90’s. The CBA was kinda like the wild west, players came and went on a whim. It was fun to watch and I miss it. Thanks to Isiah Thomas, the former Detroit Piston All star, the CBA died a quick death. Here is the site i refered to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rapid_City_Thrillers_players
I was on the stat crew for the Oklahoma City Cavalry for all but the final season of their seven year existence. The strongest memory I have of them occured in a contest where they hosted the Yakima (WA) Sun Kings. A melee broke out near where I was seated and it resulted in Yakima’s coach (ex-Celtic Robert Reid) and Cavalry center Jawaan Oldham being ejected. The exact date (as well as the final outcome) is lost in history, but the bizarre double-ejection remains etched in my memory to this day.
WAS THE CBA TEAM.. THE THUNDER.. WHICH WAS IN EVANSVILLE INDIANA THE SAME FRANCHISE AS THE QUAD CITY THUNDER? IT WAS BASED IN EVANSVILLE UNTIL 1986. THEN IN THE QUAD CITIES IN 1987.
Loved the CBA – I recruited players from there to play overseas. . some great players and great coaching. . Several of the coaches of that era moved up to NBA as hc, assistants, directors of player personnel, scouts. . Dan Panaggio (Quad City Thunder), Mike Thibault (Omaha Racers),Bill and Eric Musselman (Rapid City Thrillers), John Treloar (Wichita Falls) and Jim Sleeper (Sioux Falls). . to name a few. Dave Adkins Overseas Basketball Services. Corpus Christi, TX
HELLO JOE REBHOLZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you get this and thank you for your words regarding our meeting in Bangor.
Yes, it destroyed my career but comments like yours tell me that helping people is still the career we should all have. Peace and good health to you. 3/1/2020
The Sun Kings and Cavalry played three times in OKC in 1992-93 (the only year Reid would have been in Yakima and Oldham in OKC) and the game stories in the OKC paper the next day don’t reference a melee in any of them.
January 8, 1993 – Cavs won, 117-114
March 2, 1993 – Sun Kings won, 128-118
March 13, 1993 – Cavs won, 118-102
Our family was privileged to see both LaCrosse Catbird and LaCrosse Bobcat games at the home court. The venue was terrific and for the 4 hour drive there was beautiful lodging and great dining. High level of play and attractive cheerleaders. Overall a memorable experience that we sorely miss !!
What years did Clifton E. Whitfield play? He was 6’6″
I Love this site, I still have several of my old CBA Guide and Registers from 1989 to 1997, I have an old CBA Jacket, still have all my Sioux Falls Skyforce Game Programs, and I even kept all my statistics I would keep from each game from Skyforce history from 1989 to 1996. I kept game stats for every game for nearly 6 years.
I miss the old Quarter Point System, Skyforce Head Coaches were: Ron Ekker (1989-90), Kevin McKenna (1990-93), Roger Lyons (1993-94), Flip Saunders (1994-95), Mo McHone (1995-1999), Jim Sleeper (1999-00)..
The best year we had was 1996-97 when we won 47 games and only lost 9 games, the third best record ever in the CBA behind the 1990-91 Albany Patroons (George Karl) 50-6 record, and the Bill Musselmans Albany Patroons 1987-88 record of 48-6
I remember the one game when Flip Saunders was the Head Coach of the Skyforce, we had just lost a game the nigth before in Omaha after blowing a 20 point lead, the two teams came back the next night in Sioux Falls, and we never gave the Omaha Racers a shot, ‘we led from start to finish, winnig 158 to 88, one of the largest point margins ever by 70 points.
I remember once in 1991-92 the Sioux Falls Skyforce played a game vs Tulsa Zone in Tulsa-OKLA, we made a franchise record 17 3 pointers, out of 24 attempts, still our team record today.
The Skyforce longest losing streak was 9 games, when we began our team history in 1989-90 starting 0 for 0, and our largest winning streak was 13, when we started the 1996-97 season 13-0
Mike Zitterich @ [email protected]