ABA adds two Arizona expansion teams for 2008

Published on November 20, 2007 under American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


Indianapolis, IN. The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced two new expansion teams for the 2008 season, Phoenix and Prescott Valley. According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "This is the first time that we've announced two teams at one time, but they both happened at the same time, with two fabulous new ownership groups, that we thought it was a good idea to do it this way. We are very pleased as this will work beautifully with our teams in New Mexico and Nevada and create a very strong division."

The Phoenix Arizona team will be principally owned by Xavier "X" Mitchell, CEO of The Flow Group (Providence Films), a Los Angeles-based entertainment studio who industry offerings service the multi-billion dollar motion picture, television and music industries. Providence Films focus consists of motion picture production, television production, music video production, online production, home video acquisition and distribution, and the development of new entertainment opportunities in an innovative and targeted style.

Xavier began his career as a music concert producer, facilitating events with artists such as Boyz to Men, Adina Howard, MC Hammer, Ice Cube, JJ Fadd, Montell Jordan, Jodeci, TLC and others. He has also produced over 50 live events and concerts throughout the US. In 2003, he began his basketball themed film, "Fathers of the Sport" which is slated to be released this winter. And he has begun development of another basketball-themed film "The Rucker" with Penny Marshall slated to direct. His film credits include Harlem Tigerman, Saved, Ready Made Family, Coach Carter, What's Done in the Dark.

"We have a lot going on here at The Flow Group," said Mitchell. "But this is something we wanted to do. And I am working closely with Charles Key, owner of the ABA Texas Tycoons and one of the owners of this team, so that I know we will have a successful team. Charles and his group have tremendous experience and will be a great asset to us." For more information, visit www.providencefilmgroup.com or www.txtycoons.com.

The Prescott Valley entry into the ABA adds another woman owner to the ABA roster in Kisha Spellman-White, a very successful businesswoman and former professional basketball player. In addition, it brings to the ABA a well-known family and people with excellent sports backgrounds. Kisha played guard/small forward for the Yavapai College Roughriders and then the Arizona Sun Devils before playing professionally in Cairns, Australia. She was a McDonald's All-American '96 Honorable Mention, MVP of the NCJAA and a host of 1st and 2nd team all conference and region teams in Arizona. For the last six years, Kisha and her mother Rita White have been proudly running a successful charter school in Phoenix and she is the proud owner of a new behavioral health residential care facility which houses "foster" children age 5-12 in a home-like setting. "Dedicating my life to improve the quality of others is the purpose God has set forth in my life and a mission I take very seriously," stated Ms. Spellman-White. "I have some great people with me; we will make this a very successful operation.

Serving on the Board of Directors and in ownership are Cory O'Bannon, a former basketball player with a degree in engineering who runs a successful catering business that ensure's the valley's children are fed nutritious meals during school and summer; Marion Todd Peat, a former NFL player for the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders. Marion is now the current Chaplin for the Arizona Cardinals; Edward O'Bannon, the former UCLA star and professional basketball player with the NBA New Jersey Nets and the older brother of former Detroit Pistons guard Charles O'Bannon, Ed was a McDonalds High School All American and winner of the 1995 USBWA College Player of the Year. A knee injury forced his retirement at age 30. And Charles O'Bannon, a former Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornet player.

"These two ownership groups are extraordinary. They bring a great deal of experience and excitement to the ABA and we know that they will definitely be instrumental in Raising Arizona to a position of prominence to the league." For more information, email coryobannon@yahoo.com or visit www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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American Basketball Association Stories from November 20, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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