ABA set to play in west Texas this season
June 6, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
West Texas Whirlwinds News Release
Indianapolis, IN. The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that the West Texas Whirlwinds from Midland, Texas will begin play this fall. According to Joe Newman, ABA CEO, "We've been working with Cleveland Phelps for quite some time; he is a prototype owner with a tremendous background and experience in basketball and business. He has a great understanding of the challenges both on and off the court and we have no doubt that the West Texas Whirlwinds will be something pretty special."
Cleveland Phelps heads The Phelps Group, the owners of the new expansion team. "My first introduction to the ABA and basketball was at age six when my fatyher placed a Dr. J red, white and blue sweat suit on me," said Phelps. "He told me about Dr. J, the ABA, that the league took black players, the history of basketball and who he thought were the best players in the game. I began to look for ABA paraphernalia to adorn the walls of my room, and more importantly, I began to play basketball...."
An All-City player two years in a row at Louis D Brandeis High School in New York City, Mr. Phelps played in NYC leagues with Malik Sealey, Kenny Anderson and Marty Collins before attending Clarendon Jr. College where he was a 2-year All American and then played at Texas Tech. Following his playing days, he coached at Hood Jr. High School, the University of Texas and was 2-time Coach of the Year at Trinity before becoming a professional head coach.
"I love basketball and basketball has been good to me. It has been a dream of mine to bring pro basketball to Midland in a big way for several years," added Phelps. "Midland has three minor league teams (football, hockey and baseball). Having an ABA team will create a quartet of fun-family oriented options for the people of Midland. I am excited and overwhelmed to finally have an opportunity 30+ years later to be part of the league that first intrigued me. This is more than a dream come true." For more information, call 432 288 1536 or email cleveland.phelps@twc.state.tx.us 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.
American Basketball Association Stories from June 6, 2007
- West Texas And Halifax To Be Featured On All Access Radio - ABA
- ABA set to play in west Texas this season - West Texas Whirlwinds
- Montreal Royal And Quebec Kebekwa Plan September Tryout Camp - ABA
- Montreal Royal And Quebec Kebekwa Plan September Tryout Camp - Montreal Royal
- Silverados Make History With Thursday Signing - Southeast Texas Mavericks
- Changes To Houston Takers Tryouts - Houston Takers
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