American Basketball Association (2000–present)

{{short description|Semi-professional basketball league}} {{for|the 1967–1976 basketball league that merged into the National Basketball Association|American Basketball Association}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox sports league | title = American Basketball Association | current_season = | formerly = ABA 2000 | logo = ABA2000Logo.PNG | pixels = 240px | caption = | sport = Basketball | founded = {{start date and age|1999}} | inaugural = 2000–01 | folded = | ceo = Joe Newman | fame = | motto = ''More than just a game'' | teams = | countries = United States | continent = | headquarters = Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | champion = Austin Bats (2026) | most_champs = Jacksonville Giants (7) | tv = [https://www.abagaleunlimited.com/channel ABAGALE] and [https://www.youtube.com/@SFBN/playlists SFBN] | website = {{URL|https://realabaleague.com/|ABA Basketball}} }}

The '''American Basketball Association''' ('''ABA''') is an American semi-professional men's basketball minor league that was founded in 1999.

ABA teams are based in the United States, with one traveling team from Japan. The league previously had international teams based in Canada, China and Mexico. League management infamously maintains low requirements for franchise ownership, and hundreds of ABA teams have either folded or defected to rival leagues.

The league licenses its name and use of ABA trademarks from the National Basketball Association, which absorbed the American Basketball Association (1967–1976) during the ABA–NBA merger. The Women's American Basketball Association has operated as a sister league to the ABA since 2017.

==History== ===Launch and suspension, 1999–2002=== {{See also|2000–01 ABA season|2001–02 ABA season}} [[File:NBA Nation @ CityWalk 037 (cropped).JPG|thumb|Darryl Dawkins, head coach of the Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs during their 2000–01 season.]]

The league was originally co-founded by Dick Tinkham and Joe Newman in 1999 as '''ABA 2000'''.<ref name="The New York Times 1999 x522">{{cite web | title=N.B.A. FINALS: NOTEBOOK; New League Tipping Off | website=The New York Times | date=June 25, 1999 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/25/sports/nba-finals-notebook-new-league-tipping-off.html | access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> Tinkham had previously co-founded the Indiana Pacers in the original American Basketball Association, and Newman had been an advertising executive for the Pacers.<ref name="Schoettle Blanchard Russell Bradley 2018 q884">{{cite web | last1=Schoettle | first1=Anthony | last2=Blanchard | first2=Peter | last3=Russell | first3=John | last4=Bradley | first4=Daniel | title=Q&A: Newman is growing ABA, getting back into ad game | website=Indianapolis Business Journal | date=March 15, 2018 | url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/68007-qa-newman-is-growing-aba-getting-back-into-ad-game | access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> The National Basketball Association (NBA), owner of the ABA trademark after absorbing many of the original league's teams, sued Tinkham and Newman in December 1999.<ref name="ESPN.com m730">{{cite web | title=GEN - ABA 2000 plays the name game | website=ESPN.com | url=https://www.espn.com/gen/s/rovell/aba2000.html | access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> The lawsuit was unsuccessful since the NBA had failed to actively use the ABA trademark, and the new league entered an agreement with the NBA to license the name for $50,000.<ref name="Writers 2005 a066">{{cite web | title=SI.com - Dec 14, 2005 | website=Writers | date=December 14, 2005 | url=https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/alexander_wolff/12/09/frost.heaves/index.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051216154131/https://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/alexander_wolff/12/09/frost.heaves/index.html | archive-date=December 16, 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>

The league began its inaugural 2000–01 season with eight teams: the Chicago Skyliners, Detroit Dogs, Indiana Legends, Kansas City Knights, Los Angeles Stars, Memphis Houn'Dawgs, San Diego Wildfire and Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs. Joe Newman founded the Indiana Legends to replace the Jacksonville Jackals, who were removed from the league after failing to secure a venue.<ref name="bizjournals.com 2000 s648">{{cite web | title=Jacksonville Jackals benched -- for now anyway | website=bizjournals.com | date=November 20, 2000 | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2000/11/20/daily9.html | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref> Mark Hamister purchased the rights to a Buffalo franchise for $75,000, but was also unable to secure a venue.<ref name="McKissic 2004 u448">{{cite web | last=McKissic | first=Rodney | title=HAMISTER CAUGHT OFF-GUARD BY ABA | website=Buffalo News | date=August 7, 2004 | url=https://buffalonews.com/news/hamister-caught-off-guard-by-aba/article_26eadde4-7d9e-5dda-b2df-5961b1d7429a.html | access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref><ref name="The NYS Historic Newspapers 2000 s067">{{cite web | title=Adirondack Daily Enterprise 27 May 2000 | website=The NYS Historic Newspapers | date=May 27, 2000 | url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ade20000527-01.1.11&srpos=2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22mark+hamister%22+basketball--------- | access-date=December 27, 2023}}</ref> A proposed merger with the International Basketball League fell through in December 2000, which would have allowed the inaugural season to begin with additional teams.<ref name="Las Vegas Sun 2000 m550">{{cite web | title=Merger between IBL, ABA called off | website=Las Vegas Sun | date=December 6, 2000 | url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/dec/06/merger-between-ibl-aba-called-off/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref>

To attract fans, the ABA encouraged its teams to fill rosters with former NBA players and past college basketball stars that had local ties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stephens |first=Eric |title=Stars Shine in ABA Debut Before 5,347 |date=December 27, 2000 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-27-sp-5217-story.html |access-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Rovell |first=Darren |title=ABA 2000 plays the name game |date=August 20, 2000 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://www.espn.com/gen/s/rovell/aba2000.html |access-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref> Former NBA champion and Florida native Darryl Dawkins was recruited as the first head coach of the Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs.<ref name="Tampa Bay Times 2005 b595">{{cite web | title=ThunderDawgs make early switch at coach | website=Tampa Bay Times | date=January 20, 2001 | url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2001/01/20/thunderdawgs-make-early-switch-at-coach/ | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> Upon the league's inception in 2000, each franchise had a limit of 10 players with the salary cap being $900,000.<ref>[https://www.deseret.com/2000/10/15/19534058/aba-2000-boosted-by-big-names/ ABA 2000 boosted by big names (Oct 15, 2000) - deseret.com]</ref>

The first ABA Draft in 2000 was of twelve rounds: the first six rounds reserved for rookies and first-year players, with veterans elible for drafting in the final six rounds.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20011129193911/http://aba2000.com/ Veteran’s Draft Analysis - aba2000.com]</ref> Eddie House of Arizona State was the overall first pick, followed by Scoonie Penn of Ohio State, and former Michigan stars Jimmy King and Maceo Baston.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20001214224100/http://aba2000.com/ Territorial Draft 2000 - aba2000.com]</ref> Dennis Rodman and Tim Hardaway were drafted as veterans by the Chicago Skyliners. A.C. Green, Ed O'Bannon and Tyus Edney were selected by the Los Angeles Stars.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/gen/s/rovell/aba2000.html ABA 2000 plays the name game - ESPN.Com]</ref> Dominique Wilkins was drafted by the Anaheim Roadrunners.

The 2001–02 ABA season saw only three teams return from the inaugural season, with the Chicago Skyliners, Los Angeles Stars, Memphis Houn'Dawgs, San Diego Wildfire and Tampa Bay ThunderDawgs replaced by the Kentucky Pro Cats, Las Vegas Slam, Phoenix Eclipse and Southern California Surf.

Joe Newman folded the Indiana Legends after he was sued by eight former players in August 2002 for failing to pay their salaries.<ref name="Wilson 2002 d710">{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Phillip B. | title=8 Legends players sue ABA, Newman | website=indystar.com | date=August 5, 2002 | url=http://www.indystar.com/article.php?legends18.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020805100723/http://www.indystar.com/article.php?legends18.html | archive-date=August 5, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref> Newman had claimed $1 million in losses over two seasons of ownership.<ref name="Wilson Stone 2002 w490">{{cite web | last1=Wilson | first1=Phillip B. | last2=Stone | first2=Kate | title=Team pulls out of local scene | website=indystar.com | date=July 6, 2002 | url=http://www.indystar.com/article.php?minorsot06.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803023609/http://www.indystar.com/article.php?minorsot06.html | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref>

The 2002–03 season was not played, as the league suspended operations for reorganization.<ref name="kansascity.com 2002 g632">{{cite web | title=Kansas City Star - 10/08/2002 - Knights plan on having a season despite ABA shutting down for a year | website=kansascity.com | date=October 8, 2002 | url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/sports/4233984.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021026215139/http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/sports/4233984.htm | archive-date=October 26, 2002 | url-status=unfit | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref> Jim Clark, owner of the Kansas City Knights, was named league president and COO in November 2002.<ref name="The Associated Press 2002 w523">{{cite web | author=The Associated Press | title=Monday's Sports Transactions | website=Midland Daily News | date=November 4, 2002 | url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Monday-s-Sports-Transactions-7119263.php | access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

===Restructuring and defections, 2003–2005=== {{See also|2003–04 ABA season|2004–05 ABA season|2005–06 ABA season}} [[File:Sun Yue with the Beijing Aoshen Olympians.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Sun Yue, two-time ABA All-Star who played for the Beijing Aoshen Olympians from 2005 to 2008.]]

The league resumed play with seven teams for the 2003–04 season. The returning Kansas City Knights were joined by the Fresno Heatwave, Jersey Squires, Las Vegas Rattlers, Juárez Gallos de Pelea, Long Beach Jam and Tijuana Dragons. Dennis Rodman brought national attention to the league when he signed with the Long Beach Jam, leading them to an ABA title in their first season.<ref name="McGee Wojnarowski Gonzalez Voepel 2003 z757">{{cite web | last1=McGee | first1=Ryan | last2=Wojnarowski | first2=Adrian | last3=Gonzalez | first3=Alden | last4=Voepel | first4=M.A. | last5=Borzello | first5=Jeff | title=Rodman rebound? Ex-NBA star signs with ABA | website=ESPN.com | date=December 22, 2003 | url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1692098 | access-date=June 26, 2023}}</ref>

The 2004–05 season saw franchise fees lowered from $50,000 to $10,000, and the bond requirement removed in order to attract new teams.<ref name="Washington Post 2004 k373">{{cite news | title=For ABA, It's Dribble and Drive | newspaper=Washington Post | date=December 3, 2004 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2004/12/03/for-aba-its-dribble-and-drive/a3e5edb4-2086-4018-9f47-0a068926469d/ | access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref> Teams were subsequently organized into regional groups to facilitate interest and reduce travel costs, with 37 clubs competing that season in three divisions. The Arkansas RimRockers won the 2004–05 ABA title in their first year of play, but then left with the Long Beach Jam to join the rival NBA Development League.

The ABA welcomed the Beijing Aoshen Olympians beginning with the 2005–06 season, a club which had been banned from the Chinese Basketball League after refusing to allow star prospect Sun Yue to play for the Chinese national team. The Olympians played their home games in Maywood, California.<ref name="Bucher 2006 t001">{{cite web | last=Bucher | first=Ric | title=Chinese basketball is growing by leaps and bounds | website=ESPN.com | date=April 24, 2006 | url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3672890 | access-date=June 26, 2023}}</ref> CCTV-5 in China broadcast the team's games, where they were watched by an average of 15 million people.<ref name="Pierson 2006">{{cite news | last=Pierson | first=David | title=Growing Their Games Chinese Players Learn Lessons, Make Strides From Year Spent in U.S. League | newspaper=Washington Post | date=April 2, 2006 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/04/02/growing-their-games-span-classbankheadchinese-players-learn-lessons-make-strides-from-year-spent-in-us-leaguespan/3b534e3d-8026-4a13-8f37-2f7f2fae7d09/ | access-date=June 28, 2023}}</ref>

Following the 2005–06 season in which many teams failed to complete their full schedules and became insolvent, the Charlotte Krunk, Florida Pit Bulls, Indiana Alley Cats, Pittsburgh Xplosion, San Jose Skyrockets and SoCal Legends left to join the rival Continental Basketball Association.

===Failed coup and formation of PBL, 2006–2008=== {{See also|2006–07 ABA season|2007–08 ABA season}} {{quote box|width=20em|align=right|My idea of success and Newman's differ. I'd rather have fewer teams, that are stable and last, as opposed to having tons that continue to fold. It's not the amount of teams that a league has, it's the amount that finish.<ref name="hfxnews.ca 2007 h527">{{cite web | title=Halifax, The Daily News: Columns - The ABA is a league full of holes | website=hfxnews.ca | date=June 11, 2007 | url=http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=36326&sc=93 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914000406/http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=36326&sc=93 | archive-date=September 14, 2007 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref>|source= —Tom Doyle, Maryland Nighthawks}}

In preparation for the league's initial public offering ([https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/ABKB/ ABKB]), former NBA player John Salley was named league commissioner and Maryland Nighthawks owner Tom Doyle was named league COO in September 2006.<ref name="OurSports Central 2006 s468">{{cite web | title=Spider Reigns | website=OurSports Central | date=September 24, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/spider-reigns/n-3380056 | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> Cost for new franchises was subsequently raised to $20,000 for the 2006–07 season.<ref>{{citation | title = Iverson's mom has own ABA team | url = http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/14519865/ | author = Associated Press | date = 2006-08-25 | access-date = 2010-08-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101204081050/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/14519865/ | archive-date = 2010-12-04 | url-status = dead }}</ref> ''Sports Illustrated'' writer Alexander Wolff launched the Vermont Frost Heaves, regularly penning articles in the publication about his team's inaugural campaign.

John Salley and Tom Doyle attempted a boardroom coup on behalf of shareholders, with ABA's Board of Directors voting to remove Joe Newman as CEO on January 31, 2007.<ref>[http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3423259 Board of Directors of American Basketball Association, Inc. Votes to Remove CEO – OurSports Central – Independent and Minor League Sports News]. OurSports Central (2007-02-05). Retrieved on 2014-04-12.</ref> Newman sued Salley and Doyle, leading to a settlement in which he kept his job and forced their resignations from the league.<ref name="Schoettle Orr Blanchard Russell 2007 c552">{{cite web | last1=Schoettle | first1=Anthony | last2=Orr | first2=Susan | last3=Blanchard | first3=Peter | last4=Russell | first4=John | title=Group led by John Salley files counterclaim in ABA case: Court battle could imperil future of fledgling league | website=Indianapolis Business Journal | date=March 5, 2007 | url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/12558-group-led-by-john-salley-files-counterclaim-in-aba-case-court-battle-could-imperil-future-of-fledgling-league | access-date=June 26, 2023}}</ref>

The 2006–07 season concluded with the defending champion Rochester Razorsharks withdrawing from the league after they asked to reschedule a playoff game against the Wilmington Sea Dawgs, but were denied and told to forfeit.<ref name="George 2007 w822">{{cite web | last=George | first=Rachel | title=Sea Dawgs are unlikely hosts | website=Wilmington Star-News | date=March 24, 2007 | url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2007/03/24/sea-dawgs-are-unlikely-hosts/30299016007/ | access-date=June 26, 2023}}</ref> Following this incident, the Hammond Rollers, Jacksonville Jam, Maryland Nighthawks, Quad City Riverhawks and Wilmington Sea Dawgs joined the Razorsharks in forming the Premier Basketball League (PBL).

Following the 2007–08 season, the reigning champion Vermont Frost Heaves left for the Premier Basketball League along with the Halifax Rainmen, Manchester Millrats and Quebec Kebs.<ref name="tsn.ca 2008 n166">{{cite web | title=ABA stands for Amateur Basketball Association | website=tsn.ca | date=March 28, 2008 | url=https://www.tsn.ca/columnists/alex_walling/?id=232465&lid=sublink09&lpos=headlines_columnists-alex_walling | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603223757/https://www.tsn.ca/columnists/alex_walling/?id=232465&lid=sublink09&lpos=headlines_columnists-alex_walling | archive-date=June 3, 2008 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>

Quentin Townsend, owner of the Atlanta Vision, was named league President and COO in April 2008.<ref name="OurSports Central 2008 b082">{{cite web | title=Quentin Townsend Named President Of American Basketball Association | website=OurSports Central | date=April 29, 2008 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/quentin-townsend-named-president-of-american-basketball-association/n-3631918 | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref> He was later removed from those positions after being arrested in November 2008 for defrauding investors in a scheme to acquire an NBA Development League franchise.<ref name="OurSports Central 2008 l226">{{cite web | title=For the ABA, It Keeps Getting Worse | website=OurSports Central | date=November 12, 2008 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/for-the-aba-it-keeps-getting-worse/n-3739301 | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref>

===CBA absorption and continued instability, 2008–2013=== {{See also|2008–09 ABA season|2009–10 ABA season|2010–11 ABA season|2011–12 ABA season|2012–13 ABA season}} [[File:TheDigitel Myrtle Beach - 6381354769.jpg|thumb|Chris Beard coaching the South Carolina Warriors, who finished their 2011–12 regular season undefeated.]]

At the start of the 2008–09 season, over 200 teams had folded since the league's inception.<ref name="Warren 2008 i527">{{cite web | last=Warren | first=Brooks | title=Dead Balls | website=SLAM | date=December 3, 2008 | url=https://www.slamonline.com/archives/dead-balls/ | access-date=July 1, 2023}}</ref>

The 2008–09 season saw the Southeast Texas Mustangs franchise join the league after leaving the struggling Continental Basketball Association. The ABA attempted interleague play with the four remaining CBA teams, but their league folded mid-season.<ref name="Newspapers.com 2009 s601">{{cite web | title=Lexington Herald-Leader from Lexington, Kentucky | website=Newspapers.com | date=February 4, 2009 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/695234886/ | access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

NBA scouts stopped attending the league's games in January 2009, citing the amount of cancelled and forfeited contests.<ref name="Bronstein 2009 e230">{{cite web | last=Bronstein | first=Jonah | title=BASKETBALL: Former Syracuse star leads the Stampede in Buffalo | website=Niagara Gazette | date=March 27, 2009 | url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/basketball-former-syracuse-star-leads-the-stampede-in-buffalo/article_67ee491b-90a5-576a-b89d-c3cb05631d82.html | access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref>

Several teams folded during the 2009–10 season, including the entire Pacific Northwest Division. The San Francisco Rumble forfeited their playoff game against the Southeast Texas Mavericks, as they could not afford to travel for the contest.<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/sports/local/setx_mavericks__playoff_opponent_forfeits_game.html | title = SETX Mavericks' playoff opponent forfeits game | publisher = Beaumont Enterprise | last = Clark | first = Ryan S.| date = 2010-03-18 | access-date = 2010-07-14 }}</ref>

Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine national basketball team, competed in a series of exhibitions against ABA teams including the Clayton Showtime, Los Angeles Slam, Riverside Rainmakers, San Diego Surf and the West Coast All-Stars.<ref>{{citation | url = http://sports.inquirer.net/amateur/amateur/view/20100427-266644/Smart-Gilas-five-nips-San-Diego | publisher = Philippine Daily Inquirer | last = Navarro | first = June | title = Smart Gilas five nips San Diego | date = 2010-04-27 | access-date = 2010-07-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100429153549/http://sports.inquirer.net/amateur/amateur/view/20100427-266644/Smart-Gilas-five-nips-San-Diego | archive-date = 2010-04-29 | url-status = dead }}</ref> This April 2010 series was referred to as the ABA Friendship Games.

Dick Packer was named league President and COO in April 2010.<ref name="OurSports Central 2010 j727">{{cite web | title=Dick Packer New ABA President | website=OurSports Central | date=April 1, 2010 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/dick-packer-new-aba-president/n-3983320 | access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref>

After winning their second consecutive championship in 2010–11, the Southeast Texas Mavericks publicly opined that the ABA did not have adequate competition, and they left with intentions of joining the NBA Development League.<ref name="The Examiner 2011 t452">{{cite web | title=SETX Mavericks leaving ABA...NBA-D League next? | website=The Examiner | date=April 18, 2011 | url=https://www.theexaminer.com/stories/sports/setx-mavericks-leaving-abanba-d-league-next | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110418064003/https://www.theexaminer.com/stories/sports/setx-mavericks-leaving-abanba-d-league-next | archive-date=April 18, 2011 | url-status=dead | access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref> However, their application to join the NBA Development League was denied, and the franchise sat out the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons. Consecutive titles were won by the Jacksonville Giants in their absence, with championship wins over the previously undefeated South Carolina Warriors in 2011–12 and North Dallas Vandals in 2012–13.<ref name="Elliott 2013 l832">{{cite web | last=Elliott | first=Jeff | title=Giants celebrate 2013 title with a win | website=Florida Times-Union | date=December 7, 2013 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nba/2013/12/07/giants-celebrate-2013-title-win/15806349007/ | access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> The team returned to the ABA for 2013–14 as the Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks, going undefeated and winning the league title in a perfect season.<ref name="ksla 2013 d031">{{cite web | title=ABA team comes to Shreveport Bossier | website=KSLA | date=May 10, 2013 | url=https://www.ksla.com/story/22212733/aba-team-comes-to-shreveport-bossier | access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

===Management change and ESPN3 deal, 2014–2016=== {{See also|2013–14 ABA season|2014–15 ABA season|2015–16 ABA season}} [[File:Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.JPG|thumb|Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, which hosted the largest crowd in ABA history on January 16, 2016.]]

At the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, over 350 franchises had folded since the league's inception.<ref>{{cite web|title=American Basketball Association: Stranger Than Fiction|url=http://northpolehoops.com/2014/05/23/american-basketball-association-stranger-than-fiction/#.U97UAUpOmeU|website=North Pole Hoops|date=23 May 2014 |access-date=4 August 2014}}</ref>

Former Arizona Scorpions owner Ron Tilley replaced Joe Newman as league President and CEO following Newman's retirement in July 2014.<ref name="Abramson 2014 z438">{{cite web | last=Abramson | first=Mitch | title=From the basement up: Dylan Gioia is living the dream of owning a pro basketball franchise from his mother's home in Marine Park | website=New York Daily News | date=August 2, 2014 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/basement-article-1.1889641 | access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

The league signed a two-year streaming deal with ESPN3 in August 2014 to broadcast regular season and playoff games beginning with the 2014–15 season.<ref name="Cafardo 2014 o408">{{cite web | last=Cafardo | first=Ben | title=ESPN reaches multi-year agreement with American Basketball Association (ABA) | website=ESPN Front Row | date=August 5, 2014 | url=https://www.espnfrontrow.com/2014/08/espn-reaches-multi-year-agreement-american-basketball-association-aba/ | access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

After completing a perfect season for the second time in 2014–15 and winning their fourth championship, the Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks left the ABA to join the Premier Basketball League.<ref name="KSLA 2015 z964">{{cite web | title=Shreveport Bossier Mavericks leave the ABA for the Premier Basketball League | website=KSLA | date=June 9, 2015 | url=https://www.ksla.com/story/29270077/shreveport-bossier-mavericks-leave-the-aba-for-the-premier-basketball-league | access-date=June 27, 2023}}</ref>

Joe Newman returned to the role of league President and CEO beginning with the 2015–16 season.

The Jacksonville Giants drew the league's all-time record crowd of 8,987 for their 100–93 victory over the previously unbeaten Chicago Steam at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on January 16, 2016.<ref name="Jacksonville Giants 2016 h525">{{cite web | title=Jacksonville Giants vs Chicago Steam | website=Jacksonville Giants | date=January 16, 2016 | url=https://www.jacksonvillegiants.com/event/jacksonville-giants-vs-chicago-steam/ | access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref> It had been reported the week prior that the Orlando Magic was considering adopting the Giants as their NBA Development League affiliate, although later in the year they instead moved their existing affiliate Erie BayHawks to Lakeland, Florida.<ref name="Kouvaris 2016 e231">{{cite web | last=Kouvaris | first=Sam | title=Jacksonville in the D-League? | website=Jacksonville Sports News, Sam Kouvaris SamSportsline.com | date=January 7, 2016 | url=https://www.samsportsline.com/jacksonville-in-the-d-league/ | access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Florida Times-Union 2016 x566">{{cite web | title=Orlando moves D-League team to Lakeland | website=Florida Times-Union | date=December 14, 2016 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/2016/12/14/orlando-moves-d-league-team-lakeland/15735717007/ | access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>

===WABA launch and addition of play-in tournament, 2017–present=== [[File:Indiana Legends Versus Indiana Lyons, 20240224 183141 (165) (165).webm|thumb|The Indiana Lyons hosting the Indiana Legends on February 24, 2024.]]

A sister league, the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA), was launched in 2017.<ref name="Hatfield 2020 u609">{{cite web | last=Hatfield | first=Jenn | title=Fast, Competitive, and On the Rise: Inside the Women's American Basketball Association | website=Substack | date=December 8, 2020 | url=https://herhoopstats.substack.com/p/waba-womens-american-basketball-association | access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref> Jersey Express owner Marsha Blount was named the league's President and CEO.<ref name="ABA Basketball 2022 w191">{{cite web | title=MARSHA BLOUNT NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ABA | website=ABA Basketball | date=July 21, 2022 | url=https://realabaleague.com/marsha-blount-named-executive-vice-president-of-the-aba/ | access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref>

The 2017–18 season saw franchise fees lowered to $2,500.<ref name="Schoettle Orr Russell Bradley 2018 v382">{{cite web | last1=Schoettle | first1=Anthony | last2=Orr | first2=Susan | last3=Russell | first3=John | last4=Bradley | first4=Daniel | title=Q&A: Newman is growing ABA, getting back into ad game | website=Indianapolis Business Journal | date=March 15, 2018 | url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/68007-qa-newman-is-growing-aba-getting-back-into-ad-game | access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref>

League co-founder Dick Tinkham died of muscular dystrophy in October 2018.<ref name="NBA.com 2018 u587">{{cite web | title=Tinkham was Instrumental to Pacers' Survival | website=NBA.com | date=October 15, 2018 | url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/tinkham-was-instrumental-pacers-survival | access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref>

The 2019–20 season was ended prematurely and the playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="Indiana Lyons 2020 b004">{{cite web | title=ABA Cancels Postseason, Ending Indiana Lyons Campaign | website=Indiana Lyons | date=March 16, 2020 | url=https://indianalyons.com/aba-cancels-postseason-ending-indiana-lyons-campaign/ | access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref>

The undefeated Jacksonville Giants captured their seventh and final championship in 2020–21, concluding the team's first perfect season and third in ABA history.<ref name="Jacksonville Giants 2021">{{cite web | title=LUCKY NUMBER 7 | website=Jacksonville Giants | date=April 18, 2021 | url=https://www.jacksonvillegiants.com/lucky-number-7/ | access-date=July 9, 2023}}</ref>

A play-in tournament was implemented beginning with the 2021–22 season to determine which teams would advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.<ref name="ABA 2022 a869">{{cite web | last=ABA | first=the | title=ABA OPENS PLAY-IN ROUNDS WITH 7 GAMES OVER THE WEEKEND | website=ABA Basketball | date=March 14, 2022 | url=https://realabaleague.com/aba-opens-play-in-rounds-with-7-games-over-the-weekend/ | access-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref>

Following elimination from the 2021–22 playoffs by the Steel City Yellow Jackets, the Jacksonville Giants ceased operations.<ref name="ABA Basketball 2022 f699">{{cite web | title=STEEL CITY YELLOW JACKETS TO MEET TEAM TROUBLE IN ABA FINALS | website=ABA Basketball | date=April 23, 2022 | url=https://realabaleague.com/steel-city-yellow-jackets-to-meet-team-trouble-in-aba-finals/ | access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>

The Burning River Buckets and Indiana Lyons were declared co-champions of the 2022–23 season after storm damage rendered the venue for their championship game unplayable.<ref name="ABA 2023 x688">{{cite web | last=ABA | first=the | title=FIRST TIME EVER – ABA HAS CO-CHAMPIONS INDIANA LYONS & BURNING RIVER BUCKETS | website=ABA Basketball | date=April 16, 2023 | url=https://realabaleague.com/first-time-ever-aba-has-co-champions-indiana-lyons-burning-river-buckets/ | access-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref>

The undefeated Chicago Fury captured their second consecutive championship in 2024–25, concluding the team's first perfect season and fourth in ABA history.<ref name="i428">{{cite web | title=Chicago Fury wins ABA 2025 title | website=USBasket | url=https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/news/927562/Chicago-Fury-wins-ABA-2025-title | date=April 7, 2025| first=Gianni | last=Pascucci| access-date=April 11, 2026}}</ref>

==ABA Draft== The first ABA Draft in 2000 was of 12 rounds: the first 6 rounds were reserved for rookies and first-year players, while the clubs could draft veterans in the final 6 rounds.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20011129193911/http://aba2000.com/ Veteran’s Draft Analysis - aba2000.com]</ref> Therefore, big names were drafted by ABA teams. Dennis Rodman and Tim Hardaway were drafted as veterans by Chicago Skyliners (they both played later for ABA teams). A.C. Green, who recently had been waived by Los Angeles Lakers, was selected by Los Angeles Stars, while Dominique Wilkins was drafted by Anaheim Roadrunners. The Stars also picked Ed O'Bannon and Tyus Edney (1999 Euroleague champion) who had won the 1995 NCAA championship as UCLA players.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/gen/s/rovell/aba2000.html ABA 2000 plays the name game - ESPN.Com]</ref>

Eddie House of Arizona State was the overall first pick,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20001214224100/http://aba2000.com/ Territorial Draft 2000 - aba2000.com]</ref> followed by Scoonie Penn of Ohio State, while former ormer Michigan stars Jimmy King and Maceo Baston were also drafted.

==Salary cap== Upon the league's inception in 2000, each franchise had a limit of 10 players with the salary cap being of $900,000.<ref>[https://www.deseret.com/2000/10/15/19534058/aba-2000-boosted-by-big-names/ ABA 2000 boosted by big names (Oct 15, 2000) - deseret.com]</ref> An ABA average player was paid around $60,000 in 2000. Thus, the league was the second-highest spender in salaries only behind NBA, surpassing established leagues like USBL and CBA. In 2007, it dropped to $120,000 (about $10,000 per player for a 12-player roster) according to Joe Newman.

==Rule changes== [[File:TheDigitel Myrtle Beach - 6381376559.jpg|thumb|ABA official.]] The league employs a number of unconventional rules that are unique to the league:<ref name="b112">{{cite web | title= ABA Operations Manual Version 5.5 (Sept 2024) | url=https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/28383134-dae0-41d2-9993-0619d3ff2c10/Open%202024%20Ver%205.5%20Updated%20ABA%20Operations%20Manua.pdf | access-date=March 15, 2025}}</ref>

*'''Four-point field goal''': Shots made from behind the half-court division line are credited as 4 points. *'''3D rule''': If a team commits a backcourt violation or turns the ball over in the backcourt, any field goal scored by the opposing team on the ensuing possession shall be awarded an additional point (2-point shots are credited as 3 points, 3-point shots are credited as 4 points, 4-point half-court shots are credited as 5 points). If a player is fouled on their unsuccessful shot attempt while the 3D rule is in effect, they shall receive free throws corresponding with the point value of a successful field goal. *'''Basket interference rule''': Once the ball hits the rim, any play for the ball by a defender will not be considered goaltending. *'''7 second rule''': Each team has seven seconds to bring the ball from backcourt to frontcourt before a backcourt violation is called. If either team is granted a timeout or the ball deflects out of bounds, the count does not reset. *'''Seventh foul rule''': A player who has committed seven fouls during regulation will be removed from the game and replaced by a bench player. Players who fouled out during regulation will be allowed back into the game for overtime. *'''3–10 & Out''': Overtime begins with a single 3-minute period. If the score is still tied, a second untimed overtime period shall commence, and the first team to reach 10 points wins the game. *'''13th man rule''': The home team is allowed one additional player to dress for regular season games beyond their normal 12-man squad. This traditionally is a role filled by celebrities and dignitaries as publicity stunts, and such players are not authorized to play an entire game.

==Awards== ''Source:''[https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball.aspx usbasket.com]

===ABA Season MVP=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Player ! Team ! Position ! Nationality |- |2001–02 |Pete Mickeal |Kansas City Knights | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2003–04 |Joe Crispin |Kansas City Knights | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2004–05 |Kareem Reid |Arkansas RimRockers | Guard | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2005–06 |Chris Carrawell |Rochester Razorsharks | Guard | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2006–07 | - | - | - | - |- |2007–08 | - | - | - | - |- |2008–09 |Boris Siakanm/ Deron Rutledge |Kentucky Bisons/ Southeast Texas Mustangs | Forward/ Center | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2009–10 | Josh Pace/ Jermaine Blackburn | Southeast Texas Mavericks | Center/ Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2010–11 |Odell Bradley | Southeast Texas Mavericks | Guard | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2011–12 |Jermaine “Slim” Bell |Jacksonville Giants | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2012–13 |Jermaine “Slim” Bell |Jacksonville Giants | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |-

|}

===ABA Final-8 MVP===

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Player ! Team ! Position ! Nationality |- |2000–01 |Gee Gervin / Ndongo N'Diaye |Chicago Skyliners | Guard/Center | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2001–02 |Pete Mickeal |Kansas City Knights | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2003–04 |Joe Crispin |Kansas City Knights | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2004–05 |Kareem Reid |Arkansas RimRockers | Guard | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2005–06 |Chris Carrawell |Rochester Razorsharks | Guard | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2006–07 | - | - | - | - |- |2007–08 |Dwuan Rice |Vermont Frost Heaves | Guard | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2008–09 |Michael James |Kentucky Bisons | Guard | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2009–10 | Josh Pace | Southeast Texas Mavericks | Center | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2010–11 |P.J. Couisnard <ref>[https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball_2011.aspx ABA 2011]</ref> | Southeast Texas Mavericks | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |-

|2011–12 |Jermaine “Slim” Bell |Jacksonville Giants | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |2012–13 |Jermaine “Slim” Bell |Jacksonville Giants | Forward | {{Flagu|United States}} |- |}

==Teams== {{expand section|date=April 2025}} [[File:Vermont Frost Heaves at Halifax Rainmen (January 10 2008).jpg|thumb|Vermont Frost Heaves, winners of the 2006–07 and 2007–08 league championship.]]

97 teams completed at least one game during the 2025–26 season.<ref name="MyStatsOnline q350">{{cite web | title=Standings of American Basketball Association (ABA) on MyStatsOnline.com | website=MyStatsOnline | url=https://www.mystatsonline.com/basket/visitor/league/standings/standings_basket.aspx?IDLeague=64225 | language=rw | access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref> The league's oldest surviving franchises include the Steel City Yellow Jackets (est. 2014), Indiana Lyons (est. 2017), and Buffalo eXtreme (est. 2022). Nevada teams include the Las Vegas Royals and the new Henderson Gamblers.

===Defunct=== {{Main|List of former American Basketball Association (2000–present) teams}}

Franchises that left the ABA but still compete elsewhere include the Detroit Panthers (Maximum Basketball League), Motor City Cruise (NBA G League), Newfoundland Rogues (The Basketball League), and San Diego Surf (United States Basketball League).

==Championship results== ===Finals=== {{For|complete playoff results of past ABA seasons|American Basketball Association (2000–present) playoff results}}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:90%;" |- style="background:#efefef;" ! Year ! Champion ! Runner-up ! Result ! Host arena ! Host city ! Game MVP ! Ref |- |2000–01 |'''Detroit Dogs''' |Chicago Skyliners |107–91 |Cox Pavilion |Paradise, Nevada |Gee Gervin / Ndongo N'Diaye |<ref name="Chicago Tribune 2001 n939">{{cite web | title=SKYLINERS CLUBBED IN TITLE GAME | website=Chicago Tribune | date=April 15, 2001 | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-04-15-0104150228-story.html | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2001–02 |'''Kansas City Knights''' |Southern California Surf |118–113 |Kemper Arena |Kansas City, Missouri |Pete Mickeal |<ref name="usbasket 2023 h330">{{cite web | title=American Basketball Association 2002, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards | website=usbasket | date=June 8, 2023 | url=https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/basketball_2002.aspx | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2002–03 | colspan=7 align=center | ''Not held due to league shutdown.'' |- |2003–04 |'''Long Beach Jam''' |Kansas City Knights |126–123 |Walter Pyramid |Long Beach, California | |<ref name="White 2004 h459">{{cite web | last=White | first=Lonnie | title=Long Beach Jam Wins League Title | website=Los Angeles Times | date=March 10, 2004 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-10-sp-aba10-story.html | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2004–05 |'''Arkansas RimRockers''' |Bellevue Blackhawks |118–103 |Alltel Arena |North Little Rock, Arkansas |Kareem Reid |<ref name="Reports 2005 p466">{{cite web | last=Reports | first=team | title=Blackhawks fall in ABA title game | website=The Seattle Times | date=March 27, 2005 | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/blackhawks-fall-in-aba-title-game/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2005–06 |'''Rochester Razorsharks''' |SoCal Legends |117–114 |Blue Cross Arena |Rochester, New York |Chris Carrawell |<ref name="OSC 2006">{{cite web | last=News Release | first=Team | title=RazorSharks Win ABA Title | website=OurSports Central | date=March 27, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/razorsharks-win-aba-title/n-3284770 | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2006–07 |'''Vermont Frost Heaves''' |Texas Tycoons |143–95 |Barre Auditorium |Barre, Vermont | |<ref name="Wolff 2013 u606">{{cite web | last=Wolff | first=Alexander | title=We Bought a Team: From writer to ABA owner: My improbable saga with the Vermont Frost Heaves | website=Sports Illustrated Longform | date=February 20, 2013 | url=https://www.si.com/longform/2015/frost-heaves/index.html | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2007–08 |'''Vermont Frost Heaves''' |San Diego Wildcats |87–84 |Pavillon de la Jeunesse |Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |Dwuan Rice |<ref name="Times Argus 2008 p743">{{cite web | title=Frost Heaves make their mark in ABA | website=Times Argus | date=April 1, 2008 | url=https://www.timesargus.com/frost-heaves-make-their-mark-in-aba/article_74d8736b-699c-5968-94b6-845aef0f7a0e.html | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2008–09 |'''Kentucky Bisons''' |Maywood Buzz |127–120 |Nashville Municipal Auditorium |Nashville, Tennessee |Michael James |<ref name="OSC 2009">{{cite web | last=News Release | first=Team | title=Buzz Fall Minutes Short of 2009 ABA Championship | website=OurSports Central | date=March 26, 2009 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/buzz-fall-minutes-short-of-2009-aba-championship/n-3795566 | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2009–10 |'''Southeast Texas Mavericks''' |Kentucky Bisons |96–99, 104–83, 85–76 |Parker Multipurpose Center |Port Arthur, Texas |Josh Pace |<ref name="OSC 2010">{{cite web | last=News Release | first=Team | title=Mavericks Win ABA Title | website=OurSports Central | date=March 30, 2010 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mavericks-win-aba-title/n-3982129 | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2010–11 |'''Southeast Texas Mavericks''' |Gulf Coast Flash |114–97, 109–85 |Nutty Jerry's Entertainment Complex | |PJ Couisnard |<ref name="Enterprise 2011 e349">{{cite web | last=Enterprise | first=Beaumont | title=SE Texas Mavericks win second consecutive ABA Championship | website=Beaumont Enterprise | date=March 29, 2011 | url=https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/sports/hs/article/se-texas-mavericks-win-second-consecutive-aba-1313216.php | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2011–12 |'''Jacksonville Giants''' |South Carolina Warriors |106–101, 100–91 |Eckerd College |St. Petersburg, Florida |Jermaine Bell |<ref name="Florida Times-Union 2012 u652">{{cite web | title=Jacksonville Giants win ABA championship | website=Florida Times-Union | date=April 16, 2012 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nba/2012/04/16/jacksonville-giants-win-aba-championship/15869574007/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2012–13 |'''Jacksonville Giants''' |North Dallas Vandals |85–84, 110–109 |Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena |Jacksonville, Florida |Tony Hooper |<ref name="Elliott 2013 e927">{{cite web | last=Elliott | first=Jeff | title=Giants hold off North Dallas, win second consecutive ABA title | website=Florida Times-Union | date=April 15, 2013 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nba/2013/04/15/giants-hold-north-dallas-win-second-consecutive-aba-championship/15832077007/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2013–14 |'''Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks''' |Jacksonville Giants |136–127, 105–103 |Hirsch Memorial Coliseum |Shreveport, Louisiana |Ed Horton |<ref name="Wehaa 2014 e157">{{cite web | title=318 Forum Magazine by Wehaa | website=Wehaa | date=April 30, 2014 | url=https://npaper-wehaa.com/forum-news/2014/04/30/#?article=2211689 | access-date=June 22, 2023}}</ref> |- |2014–15 |'''Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks''' |Miami Midnites |109–81, 116–91 |Hirsch Memorial Coliseum |Shreveport, Louisiana |PJ Couisnard |<ref name="Watson 2015 t693">{{cite web | last=Watson | first=Jimmy | title=Mavericks clinch second straight ABA title | website=Shreveport Times | date=April 13, 2015 | url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/2015/04/12/mavericks-clinch-second-straight-aba-title/25691803/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2015–16 |'''Jacksonville Giants''' |Windy City Groove |92–80, 93–90 |Laredo Energy Arena |Laredo, Texas |Maurice Mickens |<ref name="Jacksonville Giants 2016 d799">{{cite web | title=Giants Sweep. Win 3rd National Championship | website=Jacksonville Giants | date=April 9, 2016 | url=https://www.jacksonvillegiants.com/giants-sweep-win-3rd-national-championship/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2016–17 |'''Jacksonville Giants''' |Windy City Groove |120–102 |Woodlawn High School |Baltimore, Maryland |Maurice Mickens |<ref name="Coastal 2017 k804">{{cite web | last=Coastal | first=The | title=BACK-TO-BACK: Giants Win 2nd Straight ABA Championship – The Coastal | website=The Coastal | date=April 3, 2017 | url=https://thecoastal.com/featured/back-back-giants-win-2nd-straight-aba-championship/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2017–18 |'''Jacksonville Giants''' |Austin Bats |119–114 |Lehman High School |Kyle, Texas |Bernard Nugent |<ref name=" ABA 2018 v219">{{cite web | title=Jacksonville Giant are 2017-2018 ABA Champions! - | website=ABA | date=April 9, 2018 | url=https://abaliveaction.com/2018/04/09/jacksonville-giant-are-2017-2018-aba-champions/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2018–19 |'''Jacksonville Giants''' |South Florida Gold |116–112 |St. Louis College of Pharmacy Gymnasium |St. Louis, Missouri |Maurice Mickens |<ref name="Coastal 2019 h138">{{cite web | last=Coastal | first=The | title=Jacksonville Giants Win Their 6th ABA Championship – The Coastal | website=The Coastal | date=April 15, 2019 | url=https://thecoastal.com/sports/jacksonville-giants-win-their-6th-aba-championship/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2019–20 | colspan=7 align=center | ''Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic.'' |- |2020–21 |'''Jacksonville Giants''' |Chicago Fury |111–108 |James J. Eagan Center |Florissant, Missouri |Miguel Paul |<ref name="Jacksonville Giants 2021 a949">{{cite web | title=LUCKY NUMBER 7 | website=Jacksonville Giants | date=April 18, 2021 | url=https://www.jacksonvillegiants.com/lucky-number-7/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2021–22 |'''Steel City Yellow Jackets''' |Team Trouble |123–118 |St. Frances Academy |Baltimore, Maryland |Stephen Vorum |<ref name="Leturgey 2022 s759">{{cite web | last=Leturgey | first=Thomas | title=Steel City Yellow Jackets are ABA champions with 123-118 win over Team Trouble | website=New Pittsburgh Courier | date=April 24, 2022 | url=https://newpittsburghcourier.com/2022/04/24/steel-city-yellow-jackets-are-aba-champions-with-123-118-win-over-team-trouble/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- |2022–23 | colspan=7 align=center | ''Not held due to unplayable conditions. Burning River Buckets and Indiana Lyons declared co-champions.'' |- |2023–24 |'''Chicago Fury''' |Mississippi Silverbacks |126–123 (OT) |Spring Hill College |Mobile, Alabama | Khapri Alston |<ref name="US Basketball News p793">{{cite web | title=Chicago Fury ABA Champions 2024 | website=US Basketball News | url=https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/news/866706/Chicago-Fury-ABA-Champions-2024 | date=April 21, 2024 | access-date=April 21, 2024}}</ref> |- |2024–25 |'''Chicago Fury''' |Silicon Valley Panthers |131–122 |St. Louis Community College–Forest Park |St. Louis, Missouri | Jordan Booker |<ref name="i428"/> |- |2025–26 |'''Austin Bats''' |Buffalo eXtreme |112–105 |Paradise Church of God in Christ Gymnasium |Forest Park, Georgia | Ja'Michael Brown | <ref name="k834">{{cite web | title=ABA 2026 Title flies to Texas | website=USBasket | first=Gianni |last=Pascucci |date=April 13, 2026| url=https://www.usbasket.com/ABA/news/985698/ABA-2026-Title-flies-to-Texas | access-date=April 13, 2026}}</ref> |}

===Performance by club=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%;" ! Team ! Championships ! Winning seasons |- | Jacksonville Giants || '''7''' || 2011–12, 2012–13, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21 |- | Southeast Texas Mavericks/ Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks || '''4''' || 2009–10, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15 |- | Vermont Frost Heaves || '''2''' || 2006–07, 2007–08 |- | Chicago Fury || '''2''' || 2023–24, 2024–25 |- | Detroit Dogs || '''1''' || 2000–01 |- | Kansas City Knights || '''1''' || 2001–02 |- | Long Beach Jam || '''1''' || 2003–04 |- | Arkansas RimRockers || '''1''' || 2004–05 |- | Rochester Razorsharks || '''1''' || 2005–06 |- | Kentucky Bisons || '''1''' || 2008–09 |- | Steel City Yellow Jackets || '''1''' || 2021–22 |- | Burning River Buckets || '''1''' || 2022–23 (co-champions) |- | Indiana Lyons || '''1''' || 2022–23 (co-champions) |}

==All-Star Game results== {{Main article|ABA All-Star Game (2000–present)}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! style="background:#d0e7ff;"|East (6 wins) ! style="background:#fcc;"|West (4 wins) ! style="background:#ffffff;|South (2 wins) ! style="background:#ffffff;|Team Presley (2 wins) ! style="background:#ffffff;|Kansas City Knights (1 win) ! style="background:#ffffff;|Team Dr. J (1 win) |- |}

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year !! Result !! Host arena !! Host city !! Game MVP !! Ref |- | 2001 | colspan=6 align=center | ''Not held.'' |- | 2002 || style="background:##ffffff;"|'''Kansas City Knights''' 161, ABA All-Stars 138 || Kemper Arena || Kansas City, Missouri || Maurice Carter, Kansas City Knights || <ref name="kansascity.com 2002 v630">{{cite web | title=Kansas City Star - 04/15/2002 - Knights win for fun | website=kansascity.com | date=June 1, 2002 | url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/sports/3064716.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020601143335/http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascitystar/sports/3064716.htm | archive-date=June 1, 2002 | url-status=unfit | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2003 | colspan=6 align=center | ''Not held due to league shutdown.'' |- | 2004 | colspan=6 align=center | ''Not held.'' |- | 2005 || style="background:#fcc;"|'''West''' 163, East 149 || Las Vegas Sports Center || Las Vegas, Nevada || Lou Kelly, Las Vegas Rattlers || <ref name="OurSports Central 2005 o008">{{cite web | title=Magic Dorsey named American Basketball Association Rookie of the Year | website=OurSports Central | date=March 25, 2005 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/magic-dorsey-named-american-basketball-association-rookie-of-the-year/n-3138558 | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2006 || style="background:#d0e7ff;"|'''East''' 129, West 127 || BankAtlantic Center || Sunrise, Florida || Armen Gilliam, Pittsburgh Xplosion || <ref name="OurSports Central 2006 q672">{{cite web | title=All-Star Game Thriller to Final Buzzer | website=OurSports Central | date=February 14, 2006 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/all-star-game-thriller-to-final-buzzer/n-3269616 | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2007 || style="background:#fcc;"|'''West''' 138, East 123 || Halifax Metro Centre || Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada || Billy Knight, Atlanta Vision || <ref name="OurSports Central 2007 o223">{{cite web | title=Slam's Parker contributes at ABA All-Star Game | website=OurSports Central | date=January 28, 2007 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/slams-parker-contributes-at-aba-all-star-game/n-3420532 | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2008 || style="background:#d0e7ff;"|'''East''' 161, West 140 || Barre Auditorium || Barre, Vermont || Anthony Anderson, Manchester Millrats || <ref name="Rutland Herald 2008 r566">{{cite web | title=East beats West in battle of best | website=Rutland Herald | date=March 23, 2008 | url=https://www.rutlandherald.com/sports/east-beats-west-in-battle-of-best/article_f0ee047f-afbd-5627-9fb8-a78268bdca25.html | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2009 || style="background:#fcc;"|'''West''', East || Nashville Municipal Auditorium || Nashville, Tennessee || Keith Simpson, Texas Fuel || <ref name="Dupre">{{cite web | title=America's Green Team Texas FUEL Earns American Basketball Association Honors in Nashville| website=Deborah Dupre | date=March 26, 2009 | url=http://www.deborahdupre.com/americasgreenteamfuel.html | ref={{sfnref | | 2009}} | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2010 || style="background:##ffffff;"| ABA West All-Stars vs. Gilas Pilipinas|| Hangar Athletic Xchange || Los Angeles, California || || <ref name="GMA News Online 2010 c286">{{cite web | title=RP team hopefuls open US training with win | website=GMA News Online | date=April 27, 2010 | url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/189524/rp-team-hopefuls-open-us-training-with-win/story/ | access-date=June 25, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2011 || style="background:#d0e7ff;"|'''East''' 123, West 122 || Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena || Jacksonville, Florida || Kayode Ayeni, Jersey Express || <ref name="Elliott 2011 r681">{{cite web | last=Elliott | first=Jeff | title=Fast-break ABA All-Star Game decided by free throws | website=Florida Times-Union | date=February 27, 2011 | url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/nba/2011/02/27/fast-break-aba-all-star-game-decided-free-throws/15912797007/ | access-date=June 23, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2012 || style="background:##ffffff;"| Red vs. White vs. Blue (round-robin tournament) || Eckerd College || St. Petersburg, Florida || || <ref name="abalive.com 2012 o090">{{cite web | title=ABA - American Basketball Association » ABA ANNOUNCES THREE ALL-STAR TEAMS FOR 2011-2012 SEASON | website=abalive.com | date=June 14, 2012 | url=http://abalive.com/aba-featured-news/aba-announces-three-all-star-teams-for-2011-2012-season/#more-3129 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614062740/http://abalive.com/aba-featured-news/aba-announces-three-all-star-teams-for-2011-2012-season/#more-3129 | archive-date=June 14, 2012 | url-status=dead | access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref><ref name="OurSports Central 2012 v184">{{cite web | title=Three Quarters of ABA Final Four Set | website=OurSports Central | date=March 25, 2012 | url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/three-quarters-of-aba-final-four-set/n-4372481 | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2013 || style="background:#d0e7ff;"|'''East''' 198, West 141 || South Suburban College || South Holland, Illinois || Maurice Mickens, Memphis Bluff City Reign || |- | 2014 || style="background:##ffffff;"| No reported result. || Grandview Christian School || Grandview, Missouri || || |- | 2015 || style="background:##ffffff;"| '''South''' 138, North 131 || Kroc Center || South Bend, Indiana || || <ref name="Brandenburg 2015 l542">{{cite web | last=Brandenburg | first=Scott | title=West Michigan Lake Hawks coach Ron Jenkins surprise coach in ABA all-star game | website=mlive | date=April 11, 2015 | url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/muskegon/2015/04/west_michigan_lake_hawks_coach.html | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2016 || style="background:##ffffff;"|'''Team Dr. J''' 140, Team Gervin 139 || St. Frances Academy || Baltimore, Maryland || Terry Hosley, DMV Warriors || <ref name="YouTube d213">{{cite web | title=2016 ABA All-Star Game, Terry Hosley named MVP | website=YouTube | date=25 April 2016 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syuCMooI1M8 | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2017 || style="background:##ffffff;"|'''South''', North || Big Ben's Home Court || Richmond, Virginia || Christopher Cromartie, South Florida Gold || |- | 2018 || style="background:##ffffff;"| No reported result. ||Giving Heart Community Center || Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania || Antonio Reddic, Steel City Yellow Jackets || <ref name="Twitter k833">{{cite web | title = Coach Moe Harmon | website=Twitter | url=https://twitter.com/CJ2KHoopsRumors/status/985344407246397440 | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2019 || style="background:##ffffff;"| No reported result. ||Giving Heart Community Center || Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania || || |- | 2020 | colspan=6 align=center | ''Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic.'' |- | 2021 || style="background:#d0e7ff;"| '''East''' 210, West 165 ||James J. Eagan Center || Florissant, Missouri || || <ref name="YouTube i790">{{cite web | title=2021 ABA Allstar Game: East vs. West 041521 | website=YouTube | date=17 April 2021 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbgqc5LdBoA | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2022 || style="background:##ffffff;"| East vs. West || || || || <ref name="ABA Basketball 2022 r513">{{cite web | title=2021-2022 ABA All-Stars Announced | website=ABA Basketball | date=March 31, 2022 | url=https://realabaleague.com/aba-all-stars-announced/ | access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2023 || style="background:#d0e7ff;"| '''East''' 169, West 151 ||Jefferson College|| Hillsboro, Missouri || Dominique Jones, Garden State Warriors || <ref name="YouTube c553">{{cite web | title=Leyton McGovern ABA All-Star Game (4qt) highlights | website=YouTube | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6VO30VqHbk | access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2024 || style="background:#fcc;"| '''West''' 129, East 122 ||Spring Hill College|| Mobile, Alabama || David Jones, St. Louis Spirits || <ref name="YouTube 2024 c363">{{cite web | title=ABA All-Star Festivities & Championship Game | website=YouTube | date=April 20, 2024 | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arH16AQtBfs | access-date=April 21, 2024}}</ref> |- | 2025 || '''Team Presley''' 210, Team Coley 183 ||St. Louis Community College–Forest Park|| St. Louis, Missouri || Rodney Gaston, Windy City Inferno || |- | 2026 || '''Team Presley''' 153, Team Hampfield 151 ||Paradise Church of God in Christ Gymnasium|| Forest Park, Georgia || Tymir Robinson, Stone Mountain Strong Steppers || |}

==Notable alumni== {| class="wikitable" |- | * |Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |- |}

===Players by country=== {{div col|colwidth=12em}} '''USA:''' *{{flagicon|United States}} Jean-Paul Afif *{{flagicon|United States}} Hameed Ali *{{flagicon|United States}} Malik Allen *{{flagicon|United States}} Anthony Anderson *{{flagicon|United States}} Harold Arceneaux *{{flagicon|United States}} Kayode Ayeni *{{flagicon|United States}} Toby Bailey *{{flagicon|United States}} Antwain Barbour *{{flagicon|United States}} Matt Barnes *{{flagicon|United States}} Turner Battle *{{flagicon|United States}} Corey Beck *{{flagicon|United States}} Charlie Bell *{{flagicon|United States}} Benoit Benjamin *{{flagicon|United States}} Corey Benjamin *{{flagicon|United States}} Jason Bennett *{{flagicon|United States}} Travarus Bennett *{{flagicon|United States}} Emmanuel Bibb *{{flagicon|United States}} Jermaine Blackburn *{{flagicon|United States}} Shad Blair *{{flagicon|United States}} David Booth *{{flagicon|United States}} Jeff Boschee *{{flagicon|United States}} Bryan Bracey *{{flagicon|United States}} Nick Bradford *{{flagicon|United States}} Odell Bradley *{{flagicon|United States}} Torraye Braggs *{{flagicon|United States}} Scott Brooks *{{flagicon|United States}} Damone Brown *{{flagicon|United States}} Kezo Brown *{{flagicon|United States}} Quinnel Brown *{{flagicon|United States}} SirValiant Brown *{{flagicon|United States}} Troy Brown *{{flagicon|United States}} Kenny Brunner *{{flagicon|United States}} Antonio Burks *{{flagicon|United States}} Cardell Butler *{{flagicon|United States}} Kevin Butler *{{flagicon|United States}} Geno Carlisle *{{flagicon|United States}} Antoine Carr *{{flagicon|United States}} Aquille Carr *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Carrawell *{{flagicon|United States}} Zahir Carrington *{{flagicon|United States}} Maurice Carter *{{flagicon|United States}} Parrish Casebier *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Cayole *{{flagicon|United States}} Cedric Ceballos *{{flagicon|United States}} Amir Celestin *{{flagicon|United States}} Brian Chase *{{flagicon|United States}} Robert Cheeks *{{flagicon|United States}} Eric Chenowith *{{flagicon|United States}} Keith Closs *{{flagicon|United States}} William Coleman *{{flagicon|United States}} DeAngelo Collins *{{flagicon|United States}} Dallas Comegys *{{flagicon|United States}} Dylon Cormier *{{flagicon|United States}} Schea Cotton *{{flagicon|United States}} Modie Cox *{{flagicon|United States}} Joe Cremo *{{flagicon|United States}} Joe Crispin *{{flagicon|United States}} Eric Crookshank *{{flagicon|United States}} Jason Crowe *{{flagicon|United States}} Ramel Curry *{{flagicon|United States}} Glen Dandridge *{{flagicon|United States}} Lloyd Daniels *{{flagicon|United States}} Ben Davis *{{flagicon|United States}} Kelvin Davis *{{flagicon|United States}} Robert Day *{{flagicon|United States}} Todd Day *{{flagicon|United States}} Derrick Dial *{{flagicon|United States}} Byron Dinkins *{{flagicon|United States}} Nate Driggers *{{flagicon|United States}} Dekabriean Eldridge *{{flagicon|United States}} Ed Elisma *{{flagicon|Puerto Rico}} Carlos Escalera *{{flagicon|United States}} Tony Farmer *{{flagicon|United States}} Marcus Feagin *{{flagicon|United States}} Taurian Fontenette *{{flagicon|United States}} Kevin Freeman *{{flagicon|United States}} Jarrid Frye *{{flagicon|United States}} Will Funn *{{flagicon|United States}} Corey Gaines *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Garner *{{flagicon|United States}} Kenny Gasana *{{flagicon|United States}} Eddie Gill *{{flagicon|United States}} Armen Gilliam *{{flagicon|United States}} Anthony Goldwire *{{flagicon|United States}} Paul Grant *{{flagicon|United States}} Cortez Groves *{{flagicon|United States}} Kyle Gupton *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Hagan *{{flagicon|United States}} Darrin Hancock *{{flagicon|United States}} Tim Hardaway * *{{flagicon|United States}} Trenton Hassell *{{flagicon|United States}} Juaquin Hawkins *{{flagicon|United States}} Rodney Hawkins *{{flagicon|United States}} Andrew Hayles *{{flagicon|United States}} Esian Henderson *{{flagicon|United States}} Sean Higgins *{{flagicon|United States}} Dametri Hill *{{flagicon|United States}} Jeremiah Hill *{{flagicon|United States}} Rico Hill *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Hines *{{flagicon|United States}} Randy Holcomb *{{flagicon|United States}} Jerry Holman *{{flagicon|United States}} Shaheen Holloway *{{flagicon|United States}} Derek Hood *{{flagicon|United States}} Jamar Howard *{{flagicon|United States}} Rick Hughes *{{flagicon|United States}} Johnathan Ivy *{{flagicon|United States}} Edward "Cookie" Jarvis *{{flagicon|United States}} Keith Jensen *{{flagicon|United States}} Ashante Johnson *{{flagicon|United States}} DerMarr Johnson *{{flagicon|United States}} Matt Johnson *{{flagicon|United States}} Charles Jones *{{flagicon|United States}} Dominique Jones *{{flagicon|United States}} Dontae' Jones *{{flagicon|United States}} Kenny Jones *{{flagicon|United States}} Reggie Jordan *{{flagicon|United States}} Mark Karcher *{{flagicon|United States}} Jimmy King *{{flagicon|United States}} Julian King *{{flagicon|United States}} Lorenzo King *{{flagicon|United States}} Billy Knight *{{flagicon|United States}} Christian Laettner *{{flagicon|United States}} Trajan Langdon *{{flagicon|United States}} Jack Leasure *{{flagicon|United States}} Tyrone Levett *{{flagicon|United States}} Geno Lewis *{{flagicon|United States}} Steve Logan *{{flagicon|United States}} Justin Love *{{flagicon|United States}} Pierre Sow *{{flagicon|United States}} Sam Mack *{{flagicon|United States}} Gordon Malone *{{flagicon|United States}} Darrick Martin *{{flagicon|United States}} Dan McClintock *{{flagicon|United States}} Jelani McCoy *{{flagicon|United States}} Javon McCrea *{{flagicon|United States}} Jeremy McNeil *{{flagicon|United States}} Pete Mickeal *{{flagicon|United States}} Anthony Miller *{{flagicon|United States}} Oliver Miller *{{flagicon|United States}} Percy Miller *{{flagicon|United States}} Willie Mitchell *{{flagicon|United States}} Jamario Moon *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Morris *{{flagicon|United States}} Isaiah Morris *{{flagicon|United States}} Lawrence Moten *{{flagicon|United States}} Byron Mouton *{{flagicon|United States}} Eric Murdock *{{flagicon|United States}} Tyrone Nesby *{{flagicon|United States}} Tyler Newton *{{flagicon|United States}} Ed O'Bannon *{{flagicon|United States}} Doug Overton *{{flagicon|United States}} Josh Pace *{{flagicon|United States}} Gerald Paddio *{{flagicon|United States}} Jannero Pargo *{{flagicon|United States}} Royce Parran *{{flagicon|United States}} Anthony Pelle *{{flagicon|United States}} Mike Penberthy *{{flagicon|United States}} Darren Phillip *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Porter *{{flagicon|United States}} Rashaad Powell *{{flagicon|United States}} James Reaves *{{flagicon|United States}} Khalid Reeves *{{flagicon|United States}} Kareem Reid *{{flagicon|United States}} Eric Riley *{{flagicon|United States}} John Roberson *{{flagicon|United States}} Lawrence Roberts *{{flagicon|United States}} Stanley Roberts *{{flagicon|United States}} Ryan Robertson *{{flagicon|United States}} James Robinson *{{flagicon|United States}} Mike Robinson *{{flagicon|United States}} Dennis Rodman * *{{flagicon|United States}} René Rougeau *{{flagicon|United States}} Trevor Ruffin *{{flagicon|United States}} JaRon Rush *{{flagicon|United States}} Kareem Rush *{{flagicon|United States}} Bryon Russell *{{flagicon|United States}} Mark Sanford *{{flagicon|United States}} Jason Sasser *{{flagicon|United States}} Akeem Scott *{{flagicon|United States}} DeRonn Scott *{{flagicon|United States}} Shea Seals *{{flagicon|United States}} Clayton Shields *{{flagicon|United States}} Paul Shirley *{{flagicon|United States}} Troy Simons *{{flagicon|United States}} Duane Simpkins *{{flagicon|United States}} Lazarus Sims *{{flagicon|United States}} Reggie Slater *{{flagicon|United States}} Doug Smith *{{flagicon|United States}} Eddie Smith *{{flagicon|United States}} Tony Smith *{{flagicon|United States}} Isaac Spencer *{{flagicon|United States}} Curtis Staples *{{flagicon|United States}} Perry Stevenson *{{flagicon|United States}} John Strickland *{{flagicon|United States}} Jayceon Taylor *{{flagicon|United States}} Doug Thomas *{{flagicon|United States}} Jamel Thomas *{{flagicon|United States}} Torey Thomas *{{flagicon|United States}} Scotty Thurman *{{flagicon|United States}} Clay Tucker *{{flagicon|United States}} Joah Tucker *{{flagicon|United States}} Nick VanderLaan *{{flagicon|United States}} David Vanterpool *{{flagicon|United States}} Fred Vinson *{{flagicon|United States}} Jermaine Walker *{{flagicon|United States}} Matt Walsh *{{flagicon|United States}} Rex Walters *{{flagicon|United States}} Jerod Ward *{{flagicon|United States}} Reginald Warren *{{flagicon|United States}} Jameel Watkins *{{flagicon|United States}} Sylvania Watkins *{{flagicon|United States}} C. J. Webster *{{flagicon|United States}} Tony Weeden *{{flagicon|United States}} Dominick Welch *{{flagicon|United States}} Bubba Wells *{{flagicon|United States}} Robert Whaley *{{flagicon|United States}} DeJuan Wheat *{{flagicon|United States}} Tyson Wheeler *{{flagicon|United States}} Davin White *{{flagicon|United States}} Lou White *{{flagicon|United States}} Donald Whiteside *{{flagicon|United States}} Brandon Williams *{{flagicon|United States}} Jason Williams *{{flagicon|United States}} Jerry Williams *{{flagicon|United States}} Larry Williams *{{flagicon|United States}} Richie Williams *{{flagicon|United States}} Tim Winn *{{flagicon|United States}} Terrence Woodyard *{{flagicon|United States}} Damian Woolfolk *{{flagicon|United States}} Metta World Peace *{{flagicon|United States}} Galen Young

'''Asia:''' *{{flagicon|Lebanon}} Matt Freije *{{flagicon|Taiwan}} Chen Hsin-an *{{flagicon|Philippines}} Mark Magsumbol *{{flagicon|China}} Sun Mingming *{{flagicon|Israel}} Guy Parselany *{{flagicon|Israel}} Yoav Saffar *{{flagicon|Iran}} Behdad Sami *{{flagicon|Philippines}} Avery Scharer *{{flagicon|South Korea}} Ha Seung-jin *{{flagicon|South Korea}} Lee Seung-jun *{{flagicon|Japan}} Yuta Tabuse *{{flagicon|China}} Sun Yue

'''Africa:''' *{{flagicon|Nigeria}} Dokun Akingbade *{{flagicon|Sudan}} Kueth Duany *{{flagicon|Sudan}} Deng Gai *{{flagicon|Rwanda}} Kenny Gasana *{{flagicon|Morocco}} Mohamad Hachad *{{flagicon|Senegal}} Issa Konare *{{flagicon|Senegal}} Pape Sow

'''Americas:''' *{{flagicon|Bahamas}} Anwar Ferguson *{{flagicon|U.S. Virgin Islands}} Reggie Freeman *{{flagicon|Haiti}} Antoine Joseph *{{flagicon|Mexico}} Horacio Llamas *{{flagicon|Dominican Republic}} Felipe López *{{flagicon|Haiti}} Olden Polynice

'''Canada''' *{{flagicon|Canada}} Jermaine Anderson *{{flagicon|Canada}} Manix Auriantal *{{flagicon|Canada}} Kelvin dela Peña *{{flagicon|Canada}} Robbie Sihota *{{flagicon|Canada}} Christian Upshaw *{{flagicon|Canada}} Dwight Walton *{{flagicon|Canada}} Howard Washington

'''Europe:''' *{{flagicon|Georgia}} Tyrone Ellis *{{flagicon|England}} Neil Fingleton *{{flagicon|Romania}} Gheorghe Mureșan *{{flagicon|Poland}} Jeff Nordgaard

'''Oceania:''' *{{flagicon|Australia}} Ty Harrelson *{{flagicon|New Zealand}} Jeremiah Trueman

{{div col end}}

===Coaches=== {{div col|colwidth=12em}} '''USA:''' *{{flagicon|United States}} Jean-Paul Afif *{{flagicon|United States}} Nate Archibald * *{{flagicon|United States}} Isaac Austin *{{flagicon|United States}} Rod Baker *{{flagicon|United States}} Bill Bayno *{{flagicon|United States}} Chris Beard *{{flagicon|United States}} Scott Brooks *{{flagicon|United States}} Joe Bryant *{{flagicon|United States}} Wallace Bryant *{{flagicon|United States}} Paul Butorac *{{flagicon|United States}} Jason Caffey *{{flagicon|United States}} Don Casey *{{flagicon|United States}} Earl Cureton *{{flagicon|United States}} Darryl Dawkins *{{flagicon|United States}} Terry Dehere *{{flagicon|United States}} Bob Donewald Jr. *{{flagicon|United States}} Acie Earl *{{flagicon|United States}} Corey Gaines *{{flagicon|United States}} Ryan Gallo *{{flagicon|United States}} George Gervin * *{{flagicon|United States}} Greg Graham *{{flagicon|United States}} Gary Grant *{{flagicon|United States}} Litterial Green *{{flagicon|United States}} Ron Greene *{{flagicon|United States}} Tim Hardaway * *{{flagicon|United States}} Antonio Harvey *{{flagicon|United States}} Sean Higgins *{{flagicon|United States}} Bob Hoffman *{{flagicon|United States}} Dennis Hopson *{{flagicon|United States}} Richard Jacob *{{flagicon|United States}} Antoine Joubert *{{flagicon|United States}} Kevin Keathley *{{flagicon|United States}} Bruce Kreutzer *{{flagicon|United States}} Cliff Levingston *{{flagicon|United States}} Freddie Lewis *{{flagicon|United States}} Kyle Macy *{{flagicon|United States}} Sergio McClain *{{flagicon|United States}} Ashley McElhiney *{{flagicon|United States}} Joey Meyer *{{flagicon|United States}} Barry Migliorini *{{flagicon|United States}} DeLisha Milton-Jones *{{flagicon|United States}} Johnny Moore *{{flagicon|United States}} Ron Moore *{{flagicon|United States}} Richard Morton *{{flagicon|United States}} Hernando Planells *{{flagicon|United States}} Kevin Pritchard *{{flagicon|United States}} Jerry Reynolds *{{flagicon|United States}} Trevor Ruffin *{{flagicon|United States}} Twiggy Sanders *{{flagicon|United States}} Kelvin Scarborough *{{flagicon|United States}} Clayton Shields *{{flagicon|United States}} Bob Sundvold *{{flagicon|United States}} Dane Suttle *{{flagicon|United States}} LaSalle Thompson *{{flagicon|United States}} Ray Tolbert *{{flagicon|United States}} Jan van Breda Kolff *{{flagicon|United States}} Will Voigt *{{flagicon|United States}} Tirame Walker *{{flagicon|United States}} Teresa Weatherspoon * *{{flagicon|United States}} Scott Wedman *{{flagicon|United States}} Paul Westhead *{{flagicon|United States}} Kevin Whitted *{{flagicon|United States}} Jerry Williams *{{flagicon|United States}} Kenny Williams *{{flagicon|United States}} Orlando Woolridge *{{flagicon|United States}} Galen Young *{{flagicon|United States}} Patrick Zipfel

'''Asia:''' *{{flagicon|Jordan}} Maz Trakh

'''Africa:''' *{{flagicon|CPV}} Jeff Xavier

'''Americas:''' *{{flagicon|Haiti}} Olden Polynice {{div col end}}

===International players===

{| class="wikitable" ! National team ! Player ! Period ! Appearances ! Notes |- |{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Christian Laettner || 1990-92|| 37|| 1992 Olympic winner |-

|{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Tim Hardaway || 1999-00|| 18|| 2000 Olympic winner |- |{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Jimmy King || 1998|| 9|| World Cup 1998 |-

|{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Armen Gilliam || 1986|| 8|| |-

|{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Antoine Carr || 1982|| 9|| |-

|{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Charlie Bell || 2005|| 10|| |-

|{{flagicon|USA}} USA || Blandon Ferguson || 2001|| || AmeriCup 2001 |- |{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Reggie Jordan || 1993-97|| || AmeriCup 1993 |- |{{flagicon|USA}} USA ||Byron Houston || 1999|| 5|| |- |{{flagicon|USA}} USA || Jerry Holman || 2001|| || AmeriCup 2001 |-

|}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [https://realabaleague.com/ Official website] * {{OTCPink|ABKB}} * [https://www.mystatsonline.com/basket/visitor/league/home/home_basket.aspx?IDLeague=64225 League statistics and standings] from MyStatsOnline *[https://web.archive.org/web/20001214224100/http://aba2000.com/ Official Website] at wayback machine

{{ABA Teams}} {{Men's professional basketball leagues}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:American Basketball Association (2000-Present)}} Category:American Basketball Association (2000–present) Category:1999 establishments in Indiana Category:Basketball leagues in the United States Category:Companies traded over-the-counter in the United States Category:Organizations based in Indianapolis Category:Professional sports leagues in the United States Category:Publicly traded sports companies Category:Sports leagues established in 1999