World Basketball League (WBL) was a minor professional basketball league in the United States and Canada which operated from 1988 to 1992. It was founded as the International Basketball Association in November 1987, before changing its name prior to the 1988 season. One of the major differences between it and other leagues was that it had a height restriction. Players over 6 ft 5 in (1.95 m) were not allowed to play; this restriction was raised to 6 ft 7 in (2.0 m) in 1991.
History The league was founded in November 1987. Basketball Hall-of-Famer and Boston Celtic great Bob Cousy (6'1" tall) was one of the league's founders. Norm Drucker, a 25-year veteran referee with the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association, and a former supervisor of officials for the NBA, served as the WBL's supervisor of officiating. One of the league's founders, Michael Monus, was eventually convicted of having embezzled $10 million to finance the league, from a privately owned company he had founded, Phar-Mor. He was sentenced to nine (9) years in federal prison. The league was run from April to August each year.
In July 1988, the annual WBL All-Star Game was launched. In addition to games against other teams in the league, games were also played against international teams. The league had several of its games broadcast on television. In Canada, the games were broadcast on the CanWest Global System. In the United States, the games were broadcast on SportsChannel America. Mike Rice was the primary analyst for the SportsChannel broadcasts.
After the league folded in 1992, the surviving Canadian-based teams formed the National Basketball League. This league played two seasons before it folded as well.
Teams Source:WBL Stats Team City Arena Seasons Notes Calgary 88's Calgary, Alberta Olympic Saddledome 1988–1992 Chicago Express Chicago, Illinois Rosemont Horizon 1988 Moved to Springfield, Illinois following the 1988 season. Dayton Wings Dayton, Ohio Ervin J. Nutter Center 1991–1992 Team folded July 31, 1992. Erie Wave Erie, Pennsylvania Louis J. Tullio Center 1990–1992 Team folded July 20, 1992. Florida Jades Boca Raton, Florida Florida Atlantic University Arena 1991–1992 Team folded June 15, 1992. Fresno Flames Fresno, California Selland Arena 1988 Halifax Windjammers Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax Metro Centre 1991–1992 Joined the National Basketball League for 1993. Hamilton Skyhawks Hamilton, Ontario Copps Coliseum 1992 Joined the National Basketball League for 1993. Illinois Express Springfield, Illinois Prairie Capital Convention Center 1989–1990 Jacksonville Stingrays Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville Coliseum 1992 Team folded June 15, 1992. Las Vegas Silver Streaks Las Vegas, Nevada Thomas & Mack Center 1988–1990 Moved to Nashville following 1990 season. Memphis Rockers Memphis, Tennessee Mid-South Coliseum 1990–1991 Nashville Stars Nashville, Tennessee Nashville Municipal Auditorium 1991 Saskatchewan Storm Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Place 1990–1992 Joined the National Basketball League in 1993. Franchise name changed by ownership to the "Saskatoon Slam." Vancouver Nighthawks Vancouver, British Columbia BC Place 1988 Winnipeg Thunder Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg Arena 1992 Joined the National Basketball League for 1993. Worcester Counts Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester Centrum 1989 Youngstown Pride Youngstown, Ohio Beeghly Center 1988–1992
International Teams Team City Seasons Notes Abruzzo All-Stars Abruzzo, Italy 1992 Bahamas Nationals The Bahamas 1992 Estonian Nationals Estonia 1992 Finland 1989–1991 Greece 1989–1991 Holland Netherlands 1989–1991 Italy 1989–1991 Kyiv All-Stars Kyiv, Ukraine 1992 Norway 1989–1991 Soviet Union USSR 1989–1991
Champions of WBL +SeasonWinning teamLosing teamSeries/score1988Las Vegas Silver StreaksChicago Express102–951989Youngstown PrideCalgary 88's2–01990Youngstown PrideCalgary 88's3–21991Dayton WingsCalgary 88's3–01992Dayton WingsN/ADayton Wings were declared leaders of the regular season (due to league folding August 1)Dayton had the best record overall with 26 wins and only 7 losses
Personnel League President
Dr. John Geletka 1991–1992 League Commissioner
Steve Ehrhart 1988–1992
Awards WBL Championship MVP +SeasonPlayerTeam1988Jamie WallerLas Vegas Silver Streaks1989Barry MitchellYoungstown Pride19901991Perry McDonaldDayton Wings
Player of the Year This award was established in 1991. +SeasonPlayerTeam1991Tracy MooreFlorida Jades
Rookie of the Year This award was established in 1991. +SeasonPlayerTeam1991J. J. EubanksNashville Stars
Sixth Man of the Year +SeasonPlayerTeam1988Chip EngellandCalgary 88's1989Keith SmartWorcester Counts1990Troy LewisYoungstown Pride1991Kelsey WeemsCalgary 88's
Coach of the Year +SeasonCoachTeamGPWLPct.1988Mike ThibaultCalgary 88's1989Bob PattonYoungstown Pride1990Sonny AllenLas Vegas Silver Streaks1991Pat HaleyDayton Wings
Statistical leaders Year Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks 1988 Jamie Waller, 26.7 David Boone, 9.8 Mark Wade, 12.8 Mark Wade, 1.8 Andre Patterson, 2.2 1989 Jamie Waller, 21.7 Alfredrick Hughes, 11.5 Cedric Hunter, 11.0 Darryl Johnson, 1.9 Perry Young, 1.3 1990 Jamie Waller, 26.5 Vincent Askew, 9.8 Mark Wade, 11.5 Andre Turner, 2.4 John Hegwood, 1.3 1991 Jamie Waller, 26.3 Willie Bland, 12.3 Mark Wade, 8.7 Darryl McDonald, 2.5 Willie Glass, 1.7
Notable players NBA players These players played at least 1 game in the NBA
Vincent Askew Dudley Bradley Scott Brooks Carlos Clark Fred Cofield Mario Elie David Henderson Alfredrick Hughes Cedric Hunter Darryl Johnson Anthony Jones Doug Lee Tim Legler Jim Les Sidney Lowe Kenny Natt Craig Neal Jose Slaughter Keith Smart John Starks Jim Thomas Andre Turner Mark Wade Milt Wagner Jamie Waller Perry Young
Other leagues These players have won at least 1 individual award while playing in professional leagues Joe Dawson Aivar Kuusmaa Darryl McDonald Igors Miglinieks Barry Mitchell Clyde Vaughan
International players Keith Smart, USA National team (1987) - 7 appearances James Blackwell, USA National team (1999) - 5 appearances James Martin, USA National team (1999) - 4 appearances A.J. Wynder, USA National team (1995) - 6 appearances Jim Thomas, USA National team (1982) - 6 appearances Kelsey Weems, USA National team (1993–95) Aivar Kuusmaa, USSR and Estonia National team (1989–2001)
See also World Basketball League All-Star Game
References
External links History of the league