heavesrock
02-12-2007, 11:18 PM
The United Basketball League received a boost of confidence Thursday as league CEO Mac Claire announced the start-up minor league added the Waco Wranglers of the American Basketball Association to the roster of five existing teams.
The Wranglers, who are still competing for a playoff spot in the ABA, were started by owners Ozzie Denson and Toni Oppliger in November 2006 as part of a league expansion.
Waco's ABA season will end in March and Denson said joining the UBL, which will begin play in April 2008, will give his team an opportunity to play 10 months out of the year.
"When we finish up in March, we're going to the UBL so I can keep my team together," said Denson, who is also the Wranglers coach. "Since the UBL starts in April, I can keep them together over the summer and keep them in shape. I think the UBL will be a really good fit for us."
Despite Waco just finishing its first year of existence, Claire said the Denson and the Wranglers give the UBL credibility heading into its inaugural season.
"It kind of puts us on the map because this is a team that is established," Claire said. "People who know minor league basketball are going to look at that and they will take the UBL a little more seriously."
The Wranglers will join the Central Texas Diplomats, Texas Caiptal Sounds, Missouri Thrill, Fort Worth Funk and Grand Prairie Splash in the league.
Denson said another reason for the Wranglers wanting to play in the UBL was location.
"There'll be local games, we won't have that far to travel and most of our players live in the metro-plex, so it will be nice for us," Denson said.
STILL LOOKING
As of Thursday, Claire's Killeen-based team – the Central Texas Diplomats – are still on the hunt for a venue, but Claire said he still has two possibilities left in the Killeen area.
"I'm looking at speaking to the people at the Harker Heights Rec Center and I'm also looking to speak with the people at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor," Claire said. "My preference is Harker Heights because it is right up the road from Killeen."
Claire said he has been in contact with the Bell County Expo Center and Fort Hood, but both said they would not be able to accommodate the Diplomats.
"The Bell County Expo won't work because they don't have a basketball floor and Fort Hood is in the same boat as the Killeen Independent School District, as far as making money off of something that is paid for by taxpayers."
Although Claire said the Harker Heights Rec Center and UMHB are the last possibilities in the Killeen area, he was certain something would get done.
"Out of these two places, I think something positive will come out of it," Claire said.
The Wranglers, who are still competing for a playoff spot in the ABA, were started by owners Ozzie Denson and Toni Oppliger in November 2006 as part of a league expansion.
Waco's ABA season will end in March and Denson said joining the UBL, which will begin play in April 2008, will give his team an opportunity to play 10 months out of the year.
"When we finish up in March, we're going to the UBL so I can keep my team together," said Denson, who is also the Wranglers coach. "Since the UBL starts in April, I can keep them together over the summer and keep them in shape. I think the UBL will be a really good fit for us."
Despite Waco just finishing its first year of existence, Claire said the Denson and the Wranglers give the UBL credibility heading into its inaugural season.
"It kind of puts us on the map because this is a team that is established," Claire said. "People who know minor league basketball are going to look at that and they will take the UBL a little more seriously."
The Wranglers will join the Central Texas Diplomats, Texas Caiptal Sounds, Missouri Thrill, Fort Worth Funk and Grand Prairie Splash in the league.
Denson said another reason for the Wranglers wanting to play in the UBL was location.
"There'll be local games, we won't have that far to travel and most of our players live in the metro-plex, so it will be nice for us," Denson said.
STILL LOOKING
As of Thursday, Claire's Killeen-based team – the Central Texas Diplomats – are still on the hunt for a venue, but Claire said he still has two possibilities left in the Killeen area.
"I'm looking at speaking to the people at the Harker Heights Rec Center and I'm also looking to speak with the people at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor," Claire said. "My preference is Harker Heights because it is right up the road from Killeen."
Claire said he has been in contact with the Bell County Expo Center and Fort Hood, but both said they would not be able to accommodate the Diplomats.
"The Bell County Expo won't work because they don't have a basketball floor and Fort Hood is in the same boat as the Killeen Independent School District, as far as making money off of something that is paid for by taxpayers."
Although Claire said the Harker Heights Rec Center and UMHB are the last possibilities in the Killeen area, he was certain something would get done.
"Out of these two places, I think something positive will come out of it," Claire said.