• The odds are not in their favor for basketball leagues such as the USBL and ABA trying to compete against the NBA
• Some of the best teams in basketball during the 1990’s, such as the New York Knicks, signed players from the United States Basketball League

Here, at Electro-Mech, we not only produce electronic basketball scoreboards but we also offer information on all things sports- basketball included. We cover everything from the history of your favorite sports to the latest scandals. For now, we’ll focus on the history of the United States Basketball League.

The United States Basketball League is a semi-professional league that takes place during the spring in smaller arenas. Many former players have used this league as a springboard to the NBA. In fact, the league’s motto is “The league of opportunity” since it functions much in the same way the minor leagues function in Major League Baseball.

The USBL was formed in 1985 and consisted of ten teams split into two five team divisions based in the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast. The league continued to operate year after year, with the exception of 1989, until the end of the 2007 season. Though many of the teams changed cities and names over the years, there were always a few stalwarts such as the Brooklyn Kings, Long Island Surf and the Kansas Cagerz.

In 2007 the season began like any other with the Nebraska Cranes coming off a 100 – 92 victory over the Dodge City Legend. However, the league fell on hard times as the New Jersey Meteors, Delaware Stars, and Jackson Wildcats all shut their doors. As a result, the league was forced to consolidate its two divisions into a single division. By the end of the season only six teams remained and they were the Brooklyn Kings, Dodge City Legend, Kansas Cagerz, Gary Steelheads, Long Island Prime Time and the Oklahoma Storm. The final championship game saw the Kansas Cagerz defeat the Brooklyn Kings 95 – 92. Currently, the league has suspended operations while it reviews its options.

Despite the apparent failure of the league in 2007, several players were able to parlay they’re success in the USBL into NBA careers. Players like Muggsey Bogues, Anthony Mason, Raja Bell, Manute Bol, Mario Elie and Avery Johnson played went on to successful NBA careers. The league also attracted athletes from other sports that played in the league at some point in time. Terrell Owens of the NFL and boxer Roy Jones Jr. were among the two-sport athletes participating in the league. The league also gained notoriety as the first professional men’s basketball league to allow women to play. Women’s college basketball superstar Nancy Lieberman played for the Springfield Fame. Later on, Cheryl Miller, sister of NBA star Reggie Miller, played for the Staten Island Stallions.

Even though 2007 was the last season for the United States Basketball League there is no doubt that it has left its mark on the sport of basketball. A quick look at the players that eventually made their way to the NBA is proof enough that there were quality players throughout the league. Due to the widespread popularity of the NBA an up and coming league needs a lot more than solid players and clever team names to be successful.