United States Basketball League

The United States Basketball League (USBL) was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985 and ceased operations in 2008.

SportBasketball

Founded1985

Ceased2008

Motto"The League of Opportunity"

Quick facts Sport, Founded ...

United States Basketball League
Sport	Basketball
Founded	1985
Ceased	2008
Motto	"The League of Opportunity"
Country	US
Continent	FIBA Americas (Americas)
Last champion	Kansas Cagerz (1st title)
Most titles	Atlantic City Seagulls Dodge City Legend Miami Tropics (3 titles each)

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History

The United States Basketball League was founded in December 1984 by Daniel T. Meisenheimer, from Connecticut.^[1]^[2]^[3] The league management initially planned to schedule about 40 games during the summer, and started to look for new teams to join the newly formed USBL.^[4] Former NBA referee Richie Powers was named the league's vice president and director of operations, while Earl Monroe was the commissioner.^[5] Meisenheimer introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team.^[5]^[2] The teams for the first season were the Connecticut Colonials from New Haven, Connecticut; the New Jersey Jammers from Jersey City, New Jersey; the Long Island Knights from Long Island, New York (owned by Meisenheimer himself); the Rhode Island Gulls from Warwick, Rhode Island; the Springfield Fame from Springfield, Massachusetts; the Westchester Golden Apples from Westchester, New York; and the Wildwood Aces from Wildwood, New Jersey.

Several players with NBA experience joined the USBL: among them Ken Bannister, Jim Bostic, Tracy Jackson, Lowes Moore, Eddie Lee Wilkins and Sam Worthen. Other players who played in the 1985 USBL season would later play in the NBA, such as Michael Adams, Manute Bol, Ron Crevier, Spud Webb and John "Hot Rod" Williams. The first ever game in USBL was played on May 25, 1985, between Rhode Island Gulls and Springfield Fame (94-101) at the Springfield Civic Center. After the regular season ended after each team played 25 games, the league management decided not to organize postseason games, since many players were going to join other teams for the start of the regular season of other leagues such as the NBA or the CBA.^[6] The first USBL champions were the Springfield Fame, that had ended the regular season leading the league with a 19–6 record. Hot Rod Williams and Tracy Jackson were named co-MVPs, while Manute Bol led the league both in rebounds per game (14.2) and blocks per game (11.2).

In 1986 two teams, the Long Island Knights and the Rhode Island Gulls, left the league, and three new franchises joined the USBL: the Gold Coast Stingrays from West Palm Beach, Florida, the Staten Island Stallions from Staten Island, New York and the Tampa Bay Flash from Tampa, Florida. In the same year Nancy Lieberman joined the Springfield Fame and became the first female player to play in a professional league with men.^[7] Lieberman debuted in June 1986 in a game against the Staten Island Stallions, playing 3 minutes during which she did not score.^[7] In 1987 another woman joined the USBL: Lynette Richardson, who had played college basketball at Florida International, signed for the Miami Tropics.^[8] On June 13, 1987, Richardson and Lieberman played against each other during a game between the Miami Tropics and the Long Island Knights: Richardson scored 3 points while Lieberman scored 2.^[9]^[10]

The top teams of the regular season advanced to the USBL Postseason Festival, a playoffs system that saw teams play single elimination games in order to advance to the final game. On three occasions (1985, 1986 and 1990) no postseason was held, and the team with the best regular season record won the championship. In 1989 the USBL ceased operations temporarily in order to improve its organization, and resumed the following season, in 1990.^[11]

Salary cap

In 1985, the league introduced a salary cap of $250,000 per team. In 1992, the salary cap was $40,000, with rookies being paid $315 per week.^[12] In 1998 it had remained the same, as each franchise had a regular season salary cap of $40,000, which meant that an average player earned roughly around $400 a week during the 2-month season of the league (rosters of 10 players).^[13] As reported in 2000, the annual salary cap of the league was $47,500 for a franchise, for all its players. No player was allowed to receive more than $1,000 per week as salary.^[14]

USBL Draft

First picks are as below:

USBL 1st overall picks

More information Year, Player ...


Year	Player	USBL pick by	College
1985 ^[15]	Jeff Allen	Connecticut Skyhawks	St. John's Red Storm
1986 ^[16]	John "Hot Rod" Williams	Rhode Island Gulls	Tulane Green Wave
1992 ^[17]	Tony Smith	New Jersey Jammers	Pfeiffer Falcons
1995 ^[18]	Arthur Agee	Florida Sharks	Arkansas State Red Wolves
1996 ^[19]	Stephon Marbury	Long Island Surf	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
1998 ^[20]	Doug Gottlieb	Oklahoma Storm	Oklahoma State Cowboys
2000 ^[21]	Detric Golden	Gulf Coast SunDogs ^[22]	Troy Trojans
2001 ^[23]	George Evans	Maryland Mustangs	George Mason Patriots
2002 ^[24]	John Linehan	St. Joseph Express	Providence Friars
2003 ^[25]	Bingo Merriex	Texas Rim Rockers ^[26]	TCU Horned Frogs
2004 ^[27]	R. T. Guinn	Cedar Rapids River Raiders^[28]	Baylor Bears
2005 ^[29]	Jared Homan	Nebraska Cranes	Iowa State Cyclones
2006 ^[30]	Gerry McNamara	NEPA Breakers	Syracuse Orange
2007 ^[31]	Michael Haddix	Albany Patroons	Siena Saints

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USBL Champions

Source:nbahoopsonline.com

Teams played a single championship game at the end of the playoffs to name the league champions

More information Year, Champion ...


Year	Champion	Score	Runner-up	Notes
1985	Springfield Fame	-	New Jersey Jammers	Springfield Fame record (19–6), won regular season, no playoffs
1986	Tampa Bay Flash	-	Springfield Fame	Tampa Bay Flash record (22–8), won regular season, no playoffs
1987	Miami Tropics	103 - 99	Rhode Island Gulls
1988	New Haven Skyhawks	134 - 126	Palm Beach Stingrays
1990	Jacksonville Hooters	-	New Haven Skyhawks	Jacksonville Hooters record (15–1), won regular season, no playoffs
1991	Philadelphia Spirit	110 - 108	Miami Tropics
1992	Miami Tropics	116 - 116	Philadelphia Spirit
1992	Miami Tropics (3)	139 - 127	Westchester Stallions
1994	Jacksonville Hooters (2)	117 - 109	Atlanta Trojans
1995	Florida Sharks	109 - 104	Atlanta Trojans
1996	Florida Sharks (2)	118 - 115	Atlantic City Seagulls
1997	Atlantic City Seagulls	114 - 112	Long Island Surf
1998	Atlantic City Seagulls	100 - 96	Long Island Surf
1999	Atlantic City Seagulls (3)	83 - 77	Connecticut Skyhawks
2000	Dodge City Legend	89 - 86	Oklahoma Storm
2001	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs	100 - 91	Dodge City Legend
2002	Oklahoma Storm	122 - 109	Kansas Cagerz
2003	Dodge City Legend	97 - 96	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
2004	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs (2)	118 - 116	Brooklyn Kings
2005	Dodge City Legend (3)	97 - 84	Kansas Cagerz
2006	Nebraska Cranes	100 - 92	Dodge City Legend
2007	Kansas Cagerz	95 - 92	Brooklyn Kings

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In 1989 and 2008, USBL suspended operations.

Complete team list

Albany Patroons (2006–07)
Atlanta Trojans (1991–99, as Atlanta Eagles in 1991–93)
Atlantic City Seagulls (1996–2001)
Brevard Blue Ducks (1988, 1990–2004, as Jacksonville Hooters in 1988, 1990–92; as Daytona Beach Hooters in 1993; as Jacksonville Hooters in 1994; as Jacksonville Shooters in 1995; as Jacksonville Barracudas in 1996–98; as Gulf Coast SunDogs in 1999–2000; as Lakeland Blue Ducks in 2001; back to being the Brevard Blue Ducks in 2002–2004)
Brooklyn Kings (1999–2007)
Camden Power (1997–98, as Philadelphia Power in 1997)
Carolina Cardinals (1996)
Cedar Rapids River Raiders (2004)
Connecticut Skyhawks (1985, 1988, 1990–2001, as Connecticut Colonels in 1985; as New Haven Skyhawks in 1988, 1990–92)
Delaware Stars (2007)
Dodge City Legend (2000–2007)
Empire State Stallions (1991)
Florence Flyers
Florida Sea Dragons (2000–02, as Tampa Bay Windjammers in 1996–99)
Florida Sharks (1995–97)
Gary Steelheads (2007)
Jackson Jackals (1995)
Jackson Wildcats (2007), as Adirondack Wildcats (2002–04)
Jersey Shore Bucs (1988)
Jersey Turnpikes (1995)
Kansas Cagerz (1998–2007, as Columbus Cagerz in 1998)
Long Island Surf (1985, 1987–88, 1991–2001, as Long Island Knights in 1985, 1987–88)
Maryland Mustangs (2001)
Memphis Fire (1994–95)
Miami Tropics (1987–88, 1991–1995)
Mississippi Coast Gamblers (1994)
Nebraska Cranes (2005–2006)

New Hampshire Thunder Loons (1996–99)
New Jersey Jammers (1985–88, 1992, as Jersey Jammers in 1986–88)
New Jersey Flyers (2004–05, as Florence Flyers in 2004)
New Jersey Meteors (2007)
New Jersey ShoreCats (1998–2001)
New York Whitecaps (1991)
Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers (2006–2007)
Oklahoma Storm (2000–2007)
Palm Beach Stingrays (1986–88, 1990, 1992–94, as Gold Coast Stingrays in 1986; as West Palm Beach Stingrays in 1987)
Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs (1999–2006)
Philadelphia Aces (1985–88, 1990 as Wildwood Aces in 1985–86)
Philadelphia Spirit (1991–92)
Portland Wave (1996–97, as Portland Mountain Cats in 1996)
Raleigh Cougars (1997–99)
Rhode Island Gulls (1985, 1987)
Saint Joseph Express (2002, 2004)
Saint Louis Skyhawks (2002–2004)
Springfield Fame (1985–86)
Staten Island Stallions (1986–87)
Suncoast Sunblasters (1991)
Tampa Bay Stars (1986–87, as Tampa Bay Flash in 1986)
Tampa Bay Sunblasters (1992)
Texas Rim Rockers (2003–04), no relationship to the American Basketball Association (2000-present) team of the same name
Treasure Coast Tropics (1996, as Miami Tropics in 1987–88, 1991–95)
Tulsa Tough-Necks (1999–2000)
Washington Congressionals (1998–2000)
Westchester Golden Apples (1985–86)
Westchester Kings (1997)
Westchester Stallions (1993–94)
Westchester Wildfire (2003–05)

League awards

Player of the Year

More information Year, Player ...


Year	Player	Team	Reference
1985	John "Hot Rod" Williams	Rhode Island Gulls
1985	Tracy Jackson	Springfield Flame
1986	Don Collins	Tampa Bay Flash
1987	Don Collins (2)	Tampa Bay Stars
1988	Lewis Lloyd	Philadelphia Aces
1989	League suspends operations for the 1989 season
1990	Jerry Johnson	Jacksonville Hooters
1991	Michael Anderson	Philadelphia Spirit
1992	Roy Tarpley	Miami Tropics
1993	Ken Bannister	Miami Tropics
1994	Stan Rose	Atlanta Trojans
1995	Charles Smith	Florida Sharks
1996	Brent Scott	Portland Mountain Cats
1997	Dennis Edwards	Florida Sharks
1998	Curt Smith	Washington Congressionals
1999	Adrian Griffin	Atlantic City Seagulls
2000	Sean Colson	Dodge City Legend
2001	Jason Lampa	Brooklyn Kings
2002	Kwan Johnson	Brevard Blue Ducks	^[32]
2003	Albert Mouring	Oklahoma Storm	^[33]
2004	Chudney Gray	Brooklyn Kings	^[34]
2005	Nate Johnson	Kansas Cagerz	^[35]^[36]
2006	Quannas White	Oklahoma Storm	^[37]
2007	Anthony Richardson	Kansas Cagerz	^[38]

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Postseason Festival MVP

More information Year, Player ...


Year	Player	Team	Reference
1987	World B. Free	Miami Tropics
1988	Bobby Parks	New Haven Skyhawks
1989	League suspends operations for 1989 season
1990
1991	Paul Graham	Philadelphia Spirit
1992	Duane Washington	Miami Tropics
1993	Ken Bannister	Miami Tropics
1994	Fred Lewis	Jacksonville Hooters
1995	Charles Smith	Florida Sharks
1996	Charles Smith (2)	Florida Sharks
1997	Mark Baker	Atlantic City Seagulls
1997	Brent Scott
1998	Adrian Griffin		^[39]
1999	Adrian Griffin (2)		^[40]
2000			^[41]
2001	Frantz Pierre-Louis	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
2001	Ace Custis	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
2002	Joe Ira Clark	Oklahoma Storm	^[32]
2003	Darrin Hancock	Dodge City Legend	^[33]
2004	Marcus Fleming	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs	^[34]
2005	Jermaine Boyette	Dodge City Legend	^[35]
2006	Alex Sanders	Nebraska Cranes	^[42]
2007	Nate Johnson	Kansas Cagerz

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Rookie of the Year

More information Year, Player ...


Year	Player	Team	Reference
1985	John "Hot Rod" Williams	Rhode Island Gulls
1986	Marty Embry	Jersey Jammers
1987	Muggsy Bogues	Rhode Island Gulls
1988	Ricky Grace	Jersey Shore Bucs
1989	League suspends operations for 1989 season
1990	Randy Henry	Jacksonville Hooters
1991	Greg Sutton	Empire State Stallions
1992	Fred Lewis	Jacksonville Hooters
1993	Khari Jaxon	Palm Beach Stingrays
1994	Randy Carter	Memphis Fire
1995	Roger Crawford	Memphis Fire
1996	Mike Lloyd	Atlantic City Seagulls
1997	Mikki Moore	Atlanta Trojans
1998	Kerry Thompson	Tampa Bay Windjammers
1999	Adrian Pledger	New Hampshire Thunder Loons
2000	Jason Lampa	Long Island Surf
2001	George Evans	Maryland Mustangs
2002	Devin Brown	Kansas Cagerz	^[32]
2002	Corsley Edwards	Adirondack Wildcats	^[32]
2003	Lenny Cooke	Brooklyn Kings	^[33]
2004	Tony Bland	Brevard Blue Ducks	^[34]
2005	Badou Gaye	Westchester Wildfire	^[35]
2005	John Allen	New Jersey Flyers	^[35]
2006	Tristan Smith	Long Island PrimeTime	^[37]
2007	Adam Schaper	Gary Steelheads	^[43]

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Coach of the Year

More information Year, Coach ...


Year	Coach	Team
1985	Gerald Oliver	Springfield Flame
1986	Henry Bibby	Springfield Flame
1987	Gordon Gibbons	Tampa Bay Stars
1988	Dave Ervin	Philadelphia Aces
1989	League suspends operations for 1989 season
1990	Rex Morgan	Jacksonville Hooters
1991	Bill Lange	Philadelphia Spirit
1992	Al Outlaw	Atlanta Eagles
1993	John Lucas II	Miami Tropics
1994	Al Outlaw (2)	Atlanta Trojans
1995	Mike Mashak	Jersey Turnpikes
1996	Eric Musselman	Florida Sharks
1997	Kevin Mackey	Atlantic City Seagulls
1998	Ray Hodge	Connecticut Skyhawks
1999	Darryl Dawkins	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs
1999	Kevin Mackey (2)	Atlantic City Seagulls
2000	Kent Davidson	Dodge City Legend
2001	Robert Parish	Maryland Mustangs
2002	Francis Flax	Kansas Cagerz
2002	Harvey Grant^[32]	Brevard Blue Ducks
2003	Cliff Levingston^[33]	Dodge City Legend
2004	Dale Osbourne^[34]	Dodge City Legend
2005	Ken Charles^[35]	Brooklyn Kings
2006	Bryan Gates^[37]	Oklahoma Storm
2007	Dale Osbourne (2) ^[38]	Dodge City Legend

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Defensive Player of the Year

More information Year, Player ...


Year	Player	Team	Reference
2002	Johnny Jackson	Kansas Cagerz	^[32]
2003	Kevin Freeman	Westchester Wildfire	^[33]
2004	Immanuel McElroy	Dodge City Legend	^[34]
2005	Eric Coley	Oklahoma Storm	^[35]
2006	Anthony Johnson	Kansas Cagerz	^[37]
2007	Ronald Ross	Albany Patroons	^[38]

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Man of the Year

1986: Jim Bostic, Westchester Golden Apples
1987: World B. Free, Miami Tropics
1988: Michael Brooks, Philadelphia Aces
1992: John Lucas II, Miami Tropics
1993: Al Outlaw, Atlanta Eagles
1996: Roy Jones Jr., Jacksonville Barracudas

Statistical leaders

Scoring leaders

More information Season, Player ...

Season	Player	Pos	Team	Points per game
1985	John "Hot Rod" Williams	C	Rhode Island Gulls	23.1^[44]
1986	Don Collins	F/G	Tampa Bay Stars	31.8^[45]
1987	Don Collins (2)	F/G	Tampa Bay Stars	31.0^[46]
1988	Richard Rellford	F	Palm Beach Stingrays	31.4^[47]
1990	Lewis Lloyd	G/F	New Haven Skyhawks	26.8^[48]
1991	Norris Coleman	F	Jacksonville Hooters	29.3^[49]
1992	Roy Tarpley	C	Miami Tropics	32.2^[50]
1993	Ken Bannister	F/C	Miami Tropics	30.2^[51]
1994	Mark Brisker	G	Jacksonville Hooters	26.9
1995	Jerry Reynolds	G/F	Atlanta Trojans	26.3^[52]
1996	Brent Scott	C	Portland Mountain Cats	29.8
1997	Dennis Edwards	F	Florida Sharks	32.8
1998	Ochiel Swaby	F	Tampa Bay Windjammers	26.2
1999	Mike Lloyd	G	Atlantic City Seagulls	27.3
2000	Sean Colson	G	Dodge City Legend	28.2
2001	Jermaine Walker	C	Lakeland Blue Ducks	27.5^[53]
2002	Jason Lampa	G	Brooklyn Kings	25.9
2003	Lenny Cooke	G	Brooklyn Kings	28.8^[54]
2004	Jason Lampa (2)	G	Brooklyn Kings	26.7
2005	Kareem Reid	G	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs	27.4
2006	Brian Chase	G	Nebraska Cranes	19.9
2007	Anthony Richardson	F	Kansas Cagerz	20.0

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Rebounding leaders

More information Season, Player ...

Season	Player	Pos	Team	Rebounds per game
1985	Manute Bol	C	Rhode Island Gulls	14.2^[44]
1986	Jim Bostic	F	Westchester Golden Apples	10.1^[45]
1987	Hank McDowell	F/C	Rhode Island Gulls	10.7^[46]
1988	Michael Brooks	F	Philadelphia Aces	13.5^[47]
1990	Alex Roberts	F	New York Whitecaps	15.3^[48]
1991	Anthony Mason	F	Long Island Surf	11.2^[49]
1992	Roy Tarpley	C	Miami Tropics	17.0^[50]
1993	Fred Lewis	F	Daytona Beach Hooters	9.3^[51]
1994	Keith Lee	F/C	Memphis Fire	14.5
1995	Brent Scott	C	Miami Tropics	12.0^[52]
1996	Shawnelle Scott	C	Long Island Surf	13.5
1997	Brent Scott (2)	C	Atlantic City Seagulls	11.4
1998	Andre Perry	F	Atlanta Trojans	11.0
1999	Andre Perry	F	Atlanta Trojans	11.6
2000	Andre Perry (3)	F	Florida Sea Dragons	11.4
2001	John Jackson	F	Kansas Cagerz	12.0^[53]
2002	John Jackson (2)	F	Kansas Cagerz	11.7
2003	Antonio Smith	C	Dodge City Legend	11.3
2004	Mario Woodson	F	Florence Flyers	10.5
2005	Roderick Riley	C	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs	10.2
2006	Steve Castleberry	F	Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers	10.7
2007	Jason Miller	F/C	Kansas Cagerz	8.0

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Assists leaders

More information Season, Player ...

Season	Player	Pos	Team	Assists per game
1985	Sam Worthen	G	Springfield Fame	8.5^[44]
1986	Leroy Witherspoon	G	Tampa Bay Flash	15.1^[45]
1987	Leroy Witherspoon (2)	G	Tampa Bay Flash	9.6^[46]
1988	Duane Washington	G	New Haven Skyhawks	8.3^[47]
1990	Jerry Johnson	G	Jacksonville Hooters	8.8^[48]
1991	Michael Anderson	G	Philadelphia Aces	10.3^[49]
1992	Tony Smith	G	New Jersey Jammers	9.2^[50]
1993	David Cain	G	Long Island Surf	9.4^[51]
1994	Jean Prioleau	G	Long Island Surf	10.3
1995	Charles Smith	G	Florida Sharks	11.9^[52]
1996	Charles Smith (2)	G	Florida Sharks	11.4
1997	Mark Baker	G	Atlantic City Seagulls	7.2
1998	Curt Smith	G	Washington Congressionals	7.4
1999	James Blackwell	G	Tampa Bay Windjammers	7.4
2000	Sean Colson	G	Dodge City Legend	8.0
2001	Jermaine Jackson	G	Kansas Cagerz	9.6^[53]
2002	Duane Simpkins	G	Kansas Cagerz	6.2
2003	Kareem Reid	G	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs	9.6
2004	Tyson Patterson	G	Florence Flyers	8.4
2005	Kareem Reid	G	Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs	8.9
2006	Tory Cavalieri	G	Northeast Pennsylvania Breakers	8.1
2007	Kareem Reid (3)	G	Albany Patroons	6.4

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All-time records

Scoring leaders

Norris Coleman, a four-time USBL All Star, was the USBL All-time leading Scorer with 3,104 points until 2001.^[55] He became the all-time scorer with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 2,949 points.
On June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson who was only 13 pts short, broke his all-time record in the game Westchester Wildfire - Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs.
By June 21, 2005, Kwan Johnson was the USBL's All-Time (1985-2009) leading scorer overall with 3,453 points. Herman Alston is 3d on the list with 2,639 pts. Other leading scorers: Ron Matthias scored 2,293 points and he is 6th of all-time, Ken Bannister with 2,052 points is ninth (in 99 games) and Michael Lloyd is 10th with 2,031 points)
By June 21, 2005, Don Collins had the highest scoring average (31.4 pg), of any player scored over 1,000 pts in USBL's history.
By June 21, 2005, John Strickland was the All-Time leader in playoff points with 213. Michael Lloyd is second on the list as he has recorded 206 career playoff points.

Games leaders

Norris Coleman became the all-time scorrecordman in total games played with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 111 points.
On June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson became the All -time leader in games played with 145 breaking Norris Coleman record of 144.
By June 21, 2005, Kwan Johnson was the overall recordman in games played with 177 (in 8 seasons). Herman Alston had 144 games (in 7 seasons)
Roy Tarpley who played 16 games for the Miami Tropics in 1992, holds the record for the longest time span between seasons played (13) as he played for the Dodge City Legends in 2005.

Steals leaders

By June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson was also the All-time leader in steals with 279.
By June 21, 2005, Johnson was overall the USBL's All-Time recordman with 316 steals. Darrell Armstrong was all-time third in steals with 259.

Assists leaders

By June 21, 2005, Charles Smith had 549 assists (in 46 games). Darrell Armstrong was 10th in assists with 491.

Rebounds leaders

By June 21, 2005, Johnny Jackson was the all-time leader in rebounds with 1,311. Andre Perry was third with 1,179.
Norris Coleman became the top rebounder with the conclusion of the 1994 USBL season with 891 rebounds.
Manute Bol (in 1985) and Anthony Mason (in 1991) hold the record for the most rebounds in a game with 28.

Free throws leaders

By June 6, 2001, Kwan Johnson was also the All -Time Leader in free throws scoring 803 (out of 1,132).
By June 21, 2005, Johnson remained on top with 905 (out of 1,286).

Top scorers in a single game

Byron Strickland holds the record for most points scored in a single game.^[56]

65 pts. Byron Strickland, Jersey Jammers vs Springfield Fame, 8/18/1986
63 pts. Don Collins, Tampa Bay Flash vs Jersey Jammers, 8/9/1986
55 pts. Norris Coleman, Jacksonville Hooters vs Philadelphia Aces, 6/13/1988
54 pts. Martin Clark, Rhode Island Gulls vs Long Island Knights, 7/10/1985
54 pts. Steve Gilbert, Jacksonville Shooters vs Memphis Fire, 6/28/1995
53 pts. Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/22/2003
51 pts. Stewart Granger, Wildwood Aces vs Jersey Jammers, 7/16/1986
51 pts. Lewis Lloyd, Philadelphia Spirit vs Palm Beach Stingrays, 7/22/1988
51 pts. Adrian Griffin, Atlantic City Seagulls vs Pennsylvania Valleydawgs, 5/22/1999
50 pts. Martin Clark, Rhode Island Gulls vs Long Island Knights, 7/10/1985
49 pts. Cedric Henderson, Jacksonville Hooters 155-127 at Long Island Knights, at SUNY-Stony Brook, 6/20/1988
49 pts. Dennis Edwards, Florida Sharks vs Jacksonville Barracudas, 6/8/1997
49 pts. Mike Lloyd, Atlantic City Seagulls vs Washington Congressionals, 5/20/1999
49 pts. Devin Brown, Kansas Cagerz vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/28/2002 USBL Tournament Semi-Finals at Enid, Okla.
49 pts. Bingo Merriex, Texas Rim Rockers vs Oklahoma Storm, 5/16/2003
48 pts. Mark Davis, Long Island Knights vs Staten Island Stallions, 7/17/1987
48 pts. Ken Bannister, Miami Tropics vs Long Island Surf, 6/12/1993
47 pts. Roy Tarpley, Miami Tropics vs Jacksonville Hooters, 7/21/1992 (24 reb.)
47 pts. Mark Brisker, Daytona Beach Hooters vs Connecticut Skyhawks, 6/29/1993
47 pts. Duane Simpkins, Kansas Cagerz vs Adirondack Wildcats, 6/28/2002 USBL Tournament Semi-Finals at Mark Price Arena, Enid, Oklahoma
47 pts. Lenny Cooke, Brooklyn Kings vs Brevard Blue Ducks, 6/17/2003 at L.I.U. Schwartz Center

All Star Game

The first edition was held in 1985 at Springfield Civic Center in front of 5,093 fans. Springfield Fame beat the USBL All-Stars, 87-75, in league's inaugural all-star game in 1985.^[57] Michael Adams with 18 points and 7 steals was the MVP. The 1985 All-Star team featured Manute Bol, Spud Webb, and John "Hot Rod" Williams among others.

The 1986 All-Star Game also took place at the Springfield Civic Center on July 25, 1986.^[58]^[59] In the 1987 edition Rhode Island Gulls hosted the event and defeated the USBL All-Stars by 119-112. Muggsy Bogues who had just been selected 12th in the 1987 NBA Draft was the MVP. The 4th edition was hosted at Philadelphia Civic Center on June 25, 1988 and it was broadcast live at 2 pm by FNN.^[60]

The 6th All Star Game was played on June 29, in 1991 at Glens Falls, New York. Paul Graham led the All-Stars to a 132-126 victory over the Empire State Stallions and was named the MVP. Also future NBA players like Greg Sutton and Keith "Mister" Jennings played in the 1991 edition. In total five members of the 1991 All Star Game had NBA experience: Earl Cureton, Antony Mason, Norris Coleman, Wes Matthews and Michael Anderson.^[61] The 2000 All-Star Game was held on 2 July 2000.^[62]

The league also had a USBL All-Star Travel Team. In 1991 they won the silver medal in the Winston world basketball cup (July 26–28, San Juan, Puerto Rico) under coach Rex Morgan,^[63] competeding against 6 national teams (Soviet Union, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Cuba) and KK POP 84. The USBL All-Stars lost to Puerto Rico in the final in front of 12,000 fans.

The USBL All-Stars also played at the 1992 Puerto Rico invitational tournament (June 17–22).^[64]

Anniversary teams

15th anniversary team

In 2001 the USBL asked its fans to vote online for a USBL "All-15 Team", to celebrate the league's 15th anniversary.^[65] The USBL finally presented 19 players.

Players

An alphabetical listing of 19 voted players is as follows:

Michael Adams - guard
Herman Alston - guard
Michael Anderson - guard
Darrell Armstrong - guard
Tyrone Bogues - guard
Manute Bol - center
Lloyd Daniels - forward
Richard Dumas - forward
Dennis Edwards - forward
Adrian Griffin - guard
Avery Johnson - guard
Fred Lewis - forward
Michael Lloyd - guard
Anthony Mason - forward
Charles Smith - guard
John Strickland - forward
Roy Tarpley - center
Jermaine Walker - center
John "Hot Rod" Williams - center

20th anniversary team

On 21 July 2005, the league announced the players of its "Top 20 and Beyond Anniversary Team" were chosen by a vote of executives, coaches, and administrators that had served over the years in the USBL.^[66]

Players

An alphabetical listing of 20 voted players is as follows:

Michael Adams - guard
Herman Alston - guard
Darrell Armstrong - guard
Ken Bannister - forward
Tyrone Bogues - guard
Manute Bol - center
Don Collins - forward
Adrian Griffin - guard
Johnny Jackson - forward
Avery Johnson - guard
Kwan Johnson - guard
Jason Lampa - guard
Michael Lloyd - guard
Anthony Mason - forward
Andre Perry - forward
Brent Scott - forward
Charles Smith - guard
John Strickland - forward
Roy Tarpley - center
John "Hot Rod" Williams - center

Honorable mention by USBL (2005):

Chris Childs - Spent two years with the Miami Tropics and then a long NBA career.
Norris Coleman - Second All-Time leading scorer in the USBL.
Lloyd Daniels - "Sweet Pea" first showed the world his talents in the USBL.
Richard Dumas - Proved that his troubles were behind him with the 1992 Miami Tropics.
Dennis Edwards - The 1998 Player of the Year.
Mario Elie - A short stint in 1987 was parlayed into a 12 year NBA career.
Darrin Hancock - Is one of only two players with 3 USBL Championship Rings.
Damon Jones - The Miami Heat guard played on a talented 1998 Jacksonville squad.
Tim Legler - The ESPN analyst played 4 great seasons with the Philadelphia franchise.
Sam Mitchell - Toronto Raptors Head Coach played two season in Westchester in 1985-85.
Kareem Reid - Known as "The Best Kept Secret".
Lazarus Sims - Known as "Z".
Curt Smith - The 1998 Player of the Year.
Jermaine Walker - A scoring force for 5 seasons for Rex Morgan's coached teams.
Spud Webb - Set the stage for Arkansas Little men becoming a force in the NBA.

Coaches

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Ken Charles
Darryl Dawkins
Francis Flax
Gordon Gibbons
Ray Hodge
Cliff Levingston
John Lucas
Rex Morgan
Eric Musselman
Gerald Oliver

Notable past players

Source^[67]

Players by country

USA

Michael Adams (Springfield Fame)
Michael Anderson (Philadelphia Aces, Philadelphia Spirit)
Darrell Armstrong (Atlanta Trojans)
Raja Bell (Tampa Bay Windjammers)
Henry Bibby (Springfield Fame)
Mark Blount (Atlantic City Seagulls, New Jersey Shorecats)
Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (Rhode Island Gulls)
Devin Brown (Kansas Cagerz)
Chris Childs (Miami Tropics)
Lloyd Daniels (Miami Tropics)
Mark Davis (Long Island Knights)
Waliyy Dixon (Atlantic City Seagulls)
Richard Dumas (Miami Tropics)
Mario Elie (Miami Tropics)
LeRon Ellis (Connecticut Skyhawks)
World B. Free (Miami Tropics)
Doug Gottlieb (Oklahoma Storm)
Darrin Hancock (New Jersey Shore Cats, Dodge City Legend, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, Kansas Cagerz)
Antonio Harvey (Atlanta Eagles)
Vince Hizon (Pennsylvania Valleydawgs)
Craig Hodges (Washington Congressionals)
Anderson Hunt (Miami Tropics)
Mike James (Long Island Surf)
Keith Jennings (Jacksonville Hooters)
Avery Johnson (Palm Beach Stingrays)
Anthony Jones (Palm Beach Stingrays)
Roy Jones Jr. (Brevard Blue Ducks)
Eddie Jordan (Jersey Jammers)
R. Kelly (Atlantic City Seagulls)
Shawn Kemp Oklahoma Storm
Rusty LaRue (Carolina Cardinals)
Nancy Lieberman (Springfield Fame)
Anthony Mason (Long Island Surf)
Cheryl Miller (Staten Island Stallions)
Jamario Moon (Dodge City Legend, Gary Steelheads)
Moochie Norris (Washington Congressionals)
Kevin Ollie (Connecticut Skyhawks)
Terrell Owens (Adirondack Wildcats)
Victor Page (Washington Congressionals)
Simeon Rice (Philadelphia Power)
Lynette Richardson (Miami Tropics)
Micheal "Sugar" Ray Richardson (Long Island Knights)
Cliff Robinson (Miami Tropics)
LaMont "ShowBoat" Robinson (Long Island Knights)
Jim Rowinski (Long Island Surf)
Shawnelle Scott (Long Island Surf)
Charles Smith (Florida Sharks)
Curt Smith (Washington Congressionals)
Mark Strickland (Philadelphia Spirit, Atlanta Trojans, Atlantic City Seagulls)
Derek Strong (Miami Tropics)
Roy Tarpley (Miami Tropics)
Ime Udoka (Adirondack Wildcats)
Kelvin Upshaw (Palmbeach Stingrays)
Chris Washburn (Miami Tropics, Westchester Stallions)
Anthony "Spud" Webb (Rhode Island Gulls)
Freeman Williams (Miami Tropics)
John "Hot Rod" Williams (Rhode Island Gulls)
Lorenzo Williams (Palmbeach Stingrays)

Rest of the world

International players

More information National team, Player ...

National team	Player	Period	Appearances	Notes
USA	Michael Brooks	1979	9
USA	Thomas Hill	1991	6
USA	Carl Thomas	1995-99	12
USA	Jimmy King	1998	9	World Cup 1998
USA	Gerard King	1998	9
USA	Muggsy Bogues	1986	10
USA	Mitchell Wiggins	1982	9	World Cup 1982
USA	Mikki Moore	1999	5
USA	Travis Williams	1997-99	14
USA	Kermit Holmes	1997-99	14
USA	James Martin	1999	4
USA	Todd Lindeman	1999	5
USA	Larry Lewis	1995	6
USA	A.J. Wynder	1995	6
USA	Kelsey Weems	1993-95
USA	Craig Neal	1993		AmeriCup 1993
USA	Eldridge Recasner	1993		AmeriCup 1993
USA	Harold Ellis	1993		AmeriCup 1993
USA	Jerry Holman	2001		AmeriCup 2001
USA	Charles Smith	1988	8
USA	Chris Jent	1993		AmeriCup 1993
USA	Adrian Griffin	1997	6
USA	Rusty LaRue	1997	9
USA	Kenny Brown	2001		AmeriCup 2001

Player of the Year

Postseason Festival MVP

Rookie of the Year

Coach of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year

Man of the Year

Scoring leaders

Rebounding leaders

Assists leaders

Scoring leaders

Games leaders

Steals leaders

Assists leaders

Rebounds leaders

Free throws leaders

Top scorers in a single game

Notable USBL All-Stars

15th anniversary team

Players

20th anniversary team

Players

Coaches

Players by country

International players

Basketball Hall of Fame

Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

NYC Basketball Hall of Fame

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