IBL Heads to Texas with Addition of Lone Star Strikers
Published on March 19, 2013 under International Basketball League (IBL) News Release
Vancouver, Wash. - The International Basketball League is expanding into the state of Texas with the addition of the Lone Star Strikers, a team located in Kingwood, a suburb of Houston.
The Strikers will operate as an IBL branding team for the 2013 season, which will allow the team to play five regular season games against top-caliber full season teams in the league. The IBL's branding team concept allows new teams to participate in a portion of the regular season to determine the viability of their market prior to becoming a full season team within three years.
The Strikers will begin their schedule with three road games in the Pacific Northwest May 17-19 against the Portland Chinooks, Vancouver Volcanoes and 2012 Champion Bellingham Slam. The Chinooks will then travel to Texas to help the Strikers close out their first season with a pair of home games in the Houston area on June 1 and 2. A venue for Lone Star's home contests will be announced shortly.
Headed by businessman and former collegiate athlete Glenn Shepherd, the Strikers were founded in 2012 to help promote the development of basketball players in Texas. Shepherd also has bold plans to build his own sports complex and arena in the Kingwood area that would aid in his goal of promoting player development.
"I feel this is the best league for teams that are strong in their organizational structure, and can produce a high quality product," explained Shepherd. "I am looking forward to working hard to help build the IBL up in the Central time zone."
In addition, the Strikers basketball operations staff offers a wealth of experience on the court. The team's General Manager is Marcellus Wright, who played in college at Oregon State University alongside NBA All-Star and Seattle Sonic fan favorite Gary Payton, and later went overseas to compete professionally. Head Coach Keith Henry played high school basketball in Seattle and later suited up for the University of Washington and Grambling State University. He has extensive basketball knowledge as well as a large list of contacts connected to the NBA and professional basketball around the world.
The Strikers have also established a mentor relationship with the NBA Development League's Austin Toros, with the Toros staff dispensing important operational guidance and advice which is sure to aid the team in the future.
With a long term vision of growing the IBL within the region, the Strikers will host pre- and post-season tournaments for teams in Texas and surrounding states to participate in as the league looks to develop participation in Lone Star State.
International Basketball League Stories from March 19, 2013
- IBL Heads to Texas with Addition of Lone Star Strikers - IBL
- 2013 IBL Schedule Features New Teams and Old Rivals in Season Nine - IBL
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