Sports stats



Xplosion opens ABA season

October 27, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Southern California Surf News Release


Pittsburgh, PA. A new era of "xplosive" pro basketball in Pittsburgh is about to tip off. The ABA Pittsburgh Xplosion, the city's new professional basketball team, introduced its players, schedule and venue at a Mellon Arena press conference. The team plays its inaugural regular season game Sunday, October 30th, at Mellon Arena, the first of 14 home games there. In its first season, the Xplosion will play four additional home games at the Peterson Event Center, for a total of 18 home games. The team's roster features former NBA players Armon Gillam and Myron Brown, and a blend of talented young players with college and professional basketball experience. Most of players, including Gilliam and Brown, are from Pittsburgh.

"This marks the start of a new and exciting era of professional basketball in Pittsburgh," Xplosion CEO Richard Hersperger announced. "Our Number One goal is to play an explosive brand of high calibre pro basketball that will, over time, attract a solid base of fan support. If history tells us anything, it's this - Pittsburgh loves a winner. We intend to become a winning team on the court and in the stands."

Pittsburgh Xplosion GM and Majority Owner Freddie Lewis, a McKeesport resident and legendary star of the original ABA, said, "As an ABA player, I had the honor of facing some of the game's greatest players, legends like Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Marvin Barnes and Pittsburgh's Connie Hawkins. I believe, without question, that the new ABA and the Pittsburgh Xplosion will produce future stars and legends. And, we are dedicating this game to Tom Washington, a former NBA player and ABA coach who passed away last year on opening night. Tom was a dear friend and we miss him."

Lewis, who also played in the NBA, added: "I am proud that the Pittsburgh Xplosion is giving talented players a chance to pursue their dream in a city that has thousands of basketball fans. We're out to prove that Pittsburgh and pro basketball can be a winning combination."

The first head coach of the Pittsburgh Xplosion is Tom Thackeer, the star guard for the Cincinnati Bearcats when that team won the NCAA Championship in 1962. Thackeer, a former ABA and NBA player, also earned a championship ring as a member of the Boston Celtics in 1967-68 season. "I took this job because I believe in the ABA and the Pittsburgh Xplosion. Now it's time to make Pittsburgh a city of true believers," Thacker said. "It's an honor to coach Pittsburgh's newest pro basketball team. We'll play a tough brand of aggressive basketball as we shoot for success."

The scheduled opponent for Sunday night was originally the Florida Pit Bulls. However, due to Hurricane Wilma and the subsequent problems with air travel from South Florida, the Indiana Alley Cats have stepped in as a late replacement. The Alley Cats are coached by former NBA star and Indiana University star Greg Graham. "We are very competitive," stated Graham, "and very proud to be able to play in the home opener against Freddie and Tom's team and in the great Mellon Arena." (The damage to the home arena of the Florida Pit Bulls by the hurricane was substantial and the team's home schedule will be delayed until mid-November).

The Pittsburgh Xplosion will play 36 regular season games with 18 at home (14 at Mellon Arena, 4 at Peterson Event Center). "Mellon Arena and the Peterson Event Center each provide superb seating and amenities that today's fans expert," Hersperger said. "They are each centrally located and they were available on the dates our games are scheduled. In short, the Pittsburgh Xplosion is proud to partner with these superb arenas to bring pro basketball back to the city."

The team will face Freddie Lewis Division rivals: the Lake Erie (Cleveland) Rockers; Ohio (Canton) Aviators; Toledo Ice; Kentucky Colonels; the Indiana AlleyCats and the Detroit Wheels. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster and Mellon Arena. The tickets prices are family friendly and affordable. Tickets are priced at $12.50, 22.50 and $27.50 for single-game tickets and season tickets and special VIP courtside seats are also available. For tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call the Mellon Arena box office at 412 323 1919. With families and children in mind, the Xplosion is also offering a Buy One Get One Free ticket promotion to school groups and non-profit organizations. Anyone interest in these tickets should call 877 410 9900.

Nine players have earned spots on the first roster of the Pittsburgh Xplosion. They are:

Unricco Abbaodanza, a 6'5" forward and two-time Division II All American at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, where he averaged 18.1 points per game. He is a Pittsburgh resident and teacher.

Myron Brown, a prolific 6'3" shooting guard for Slippery Rock University and a former NBA player who was a second-round draft pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 22 points a game at Slippery Rock, has 9 years of pro experience.

Coleco Buie, a 6'5" guard who has played professionally in the ABA, Europe and South American. He averaged more than 13 points per game at Southwest Missouri State University.

Brice Flenory, a 6'2" guard who averaged more than 25 points per game in his senior year at Valley High School in New Kensington, earning All State and All Pittsburgh honors.

Armon Gilliam, a 6'9" center/forward who brings veteran leadership and experience to the team. The Bethel Park resident averaged 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game during his successful 13-year NBA career. He was the first pick of the Phoenix Suns in the 1987 NBA draft (the second pick overall) and he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. Armon, known as "The Hammer," averaged 23.2 points per game in his senior year at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Marcus Johnson, a 6'3" guard who was a standout guard at the College of Charleston (SC), a Division I program and as a high school player in Annapolis, Maryland.

Josh Murray, a 6'6" forward/guard who has played professionally in Iceland and Europe. At Ball State University, he averaged 8.2 points and 8 rebounds per game in his junior year as the Cardinals earned a berth in the NCAA tournament. He averaged 25 points per game at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis after transferring there for his senior year.

James Sutton Jr, a 6'7" center from McKeesport who was a key player for the Community College of Beaver County, where he averaged 9 rebounds and 4 blocks per game as the team earned a No. 1 ranking in the NJCAA Division II poll in the 2002-2003 seaosn.

James Wesley, a 5'11" guard from Fairmont State University in West Virginia. Very quick.

For more information, call 412 519 7064, or email dohertm1@aol.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.

• Discuss this story on the American Basketball Association message board...

American Basketball Association Stories from October 27, 2005


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.

Other Recent Southern California Surf Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central