The 1997-98 season was one of great growth for the league. The IBA added
two expansion teams (the Wisconsin Blast and the Des Moines Dragons),
increased the schedule to 34-games and played in two divisions. The FM
Beez defeated the Black Hills Posse to become the IBA champions and win
the President's Cup.
The
credibility of the IBA was reaffirmed when NBA great and Basketball
Hall-of Fame member Alex English signed on as IBA Commissioner. One of the
greatest players in NBA history, Alex was the NBA’s leading scorer
during the 1980s and was the sixth NBA player to score over 25,000 points.
Season
Awards 97-98
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Artie Griffin – Black Hills Posse
COACH OF THE YEAR Duane Ticknor
– Black Hills Posse
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Kenya Capers – St. Paul Slam
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Ron Bayless – Des Moines Dragons
SIXTH MAN AWARD Damon Jones – Black Hills Posse
PLAYOFF MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Tyrone Hopkins – FM Beez
FIRST TEAM ALL-STARS
Bryant Basemore Magic City Snowbears
Kenya Capers St. Paul Slam
Artie Griffin Black Hills Posse
Lorenzo Orr Wisconsin Blast
Curt Smith Des Moines Dragons
SECOND TEAM ALL-STARS
Shawn Bankhead Dakota Wizards
Ron Bayless Des Moines Dragons
Tyrone Hopkins Fargo-Moorhead Beez
Martin Lewis Winnipeg Cyclone
Willie Murdaugh Dakota Wizards
