NABL Sets Teams For 2002-3 Season - Sep 1, 2002 - by Randi Hayden
The NABL saw its first year back after being a premiere league in America in the 1930’s-70’s dominated by the Kentucky Coyotes, who transformed a 19-1 season into a berth in the newly formed Pro Basketball USA League. The Coyotes continued the tradition of strong AAU teams that have been based in Lexington over the decades. Basketball fans certainly remember the legendary Marathon Oilers, a former AAU National Champion, who for years were based in Lexington. To a lesser extent was the Lexington Jerry’s Restaurants team, which also called Lexington home. In fact , the Jerry’s  team will rejoin the NABL this season, continuing the Lexington tradition in the NABL.. They formerly represented Frankfort, Ky, who went 6-14 last season.
Another  NABL team, the 8-12 Charleston Bombers, will be known as the Charleston Miners in the same league. Although technically a new team, they have blown out longtime AAU coach Dave Spurlock but retained most of the players and will play in the same arena as the Bombers played in.
In this, the second season of the revival of the historic AAU based league, the Akron Wingfoots, Ohio Valley Bulldogs, Lexington Jerry’s, and  Cleveland Pipers will play full seasons against college and AAU competition. In addition, the Evansville Orbits, Denver Truckers, Philadelphia Tapers, and Owensboro Showboats will play limited games this year as they prepare to play full time next year.
The NABL teams are comprised of recent college players chosen for their character and skills who seek to continue their careers in hopes of landing a position with FIBA teams internationally, or minor league teams in the USA. With many players achieving these results, such as Kyle Behrens (Spain), Doug Silva (Italy), Darius Beard (Poland), and Karel Rosario (Venezuela), plus Victor Thomas, Chris Bacon, and Andy Van Oldenburg (all to the ABA) the league looks to provide more opportunities this season. NABL teams do not hold tryouts, or accept players from agents peddling players. Players are recruited from  their college coaches and other coaches who recommend those players with character and ability to play FIBA professional basketball.
The league is also thrilled to see Owensboro Showboats (10-10) coach Pat Rafferty, who did such a good job in a tumultuous situation in Owensboro, get named head coach at Grayson Junior College. The Showboats will play a limited schedule this year as they secure the sponsorship necessary to come back full time in 2003-4.
NABL teams will play a college  schedule from October 23-December 23. All games will be taped and all tapes will be made available to FIBA teams to replace injured or released players. Then, in January-April, teams  will play AAU teams in Tournaments. This culminates in the 99th Annual AAU National Tournament in April, a tournament founded by Dr. Naismith himself.  It’s the oldest basketball tournament of  them all. Former winners include the New York Knickerbockers (1899; 1900); the Denver Nuggets(1939), The Akron Wingfoots (1964;1967), the Cleveland Pipers(1960), and Marathon Oilers (1973).
All NABL teams are also hoping to play internationally. Akron hopes to go to the Estonia World Tournament in June 2003 while the others are still seeking international tours or tournaments.
All FIBA teams that wish to receive games tapes should contact info@Akronwingfoots.com.