Delaware 87ers

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Delaware 87ers
Delaware 87ers logo
League NBA Development League
Founded 2007
History Utah Flash
2007–2011
Delaware 87ers
2013–present
Arena Bob Carpenter Center
Location Newark, Delaware
Team colors Red, blue, silver, white
                   
Head coach Kevin Young
Ownership Philadelphia 76ers
Affiliation(s) Philadelphia 76ers
Championships 0
Division / Conference titles 1 (2009)
Website http://www.sevens.com/

The Delaware 87ers (nicknamed the Sevens) are an American professional basketball team of the NBA Development League. It is an affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers in the National Basketball Association. The home games are played at the Bob Carpenter Center on the campus of University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. The team was founded in 2007 as the Utah Flash and served as an affiliate to the Utah Jazz. In April 2013, the 76ers acquired the team and relocated it to Delaware.

History

2007–2011: Utah Flash

File:Utah Flash.png
Utah Flash logo

In 2004, Utah entrepreneur Brandt Andersen heard the NBA was expanding operations to include a development league. Eventually Andersen got a new team to start play in 2007, based in Orem, Utah, playing at the McKay Events Center.[1][2][3]

The Flash nickname was chosen by a name-the-team contest, in which over 21,000 votes were cast. The team was established with a close help from its NBA affiliate Utah Jazz, who indicated to the general manager job David Fredman - who was an assistant coach and director of scouting for the Jazz for 28 years, and also the assistant general manager for the Denver Nuggets - and as a coach Brad Jones, a regional scout who was the nephew of long time Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Also as an NBA affiliate were the Boston Celtics.[4] In the first season for the Flash on December 21, 2007 guard Morris Almond (who had been sent down to the D league by the Jazz) tied an NBA Development League record with 51 points in a 118-116 victory over the Austin Toros later in that season Almond broke the record with an 53-point performance in the 102-87 blowout win against the Bakersfield Jam, Almond also led the league in scoring averaging 25.6 points a game.[2][5] In July 2008, Fredman was called back by the Jazz to work as a scout,[6] and coach Jones ended up pulling double duty as general manager as well.[7] In 2009, the Celtics changed affiliations to the new team Maine Red Claws, leading the Atlanta Hawks to join forces with the Flash.[8]

On December 8, 2009, the Flash hosted a sold out crowd that hoped Michael Jordan was going to appear to play in a charity exhibition at halftime against former Utah Jazz guard Bryon Russell. However, Jordan did not appear, and a Jordan lookalike was introduced in what turned out to be a hoax.[9] Brad Jones retired as head coach of the Utah Flash on September 7, 2010 and Kevin Young was named as his replacement. Young had been the assistant coach for the Flash for the past 2 years, as well as scout and director of basketball operations, and before joining the organization worked at the Utah Valley University team.[10]

The team suspended operations following the 2011 season, as Andersen was forced to sell his interest in the Flash. Despite high ticket sales, being second in NBADL attendance during the 2010-2011 season, drawing more than 100,000 fans and averaging 4,237 per game, the Flash had frequent financial struggles, as both the Jazz and the city's minor league baseball team Orem Owlz made it difficult to get sponsorship deals.[11]

2013–present: Arrival in Delaware

On April 27, 2013, after two years of hiatus, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired the team, and were renamed the Delaware 87ers – inspired by the fact that Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787 – which plays its games at the University of Delaware campus. Former Ripken Baseball Inc. assistant vice president of sales/marketing Aaron Moszer was named team president.[12][13]

In September 2013, Brandon Williams was named the team's first general manager.[14]

On November 6, 2013, the Sixers hired Rod Baker to coach the team during their inaugural season in Delaware.[15]

The 87ers finished their first season with a 12-38 record.[16] Two players received a GATORADE Call-Up during the 2013-14 season[17] - Kendall Marshall was called up by the Los Angeles Lakers on December 20, 2013,[18] and Vander Blue was called up by the Boston Celtics on January 22, 2014 [19]

After spending 50 games with the team, forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo was selected with the No. 51 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks[20] - the first 87er to be drafted into the NBA.

Over the summer, the 87ers introduced their mascot, Caesar, on August 22, 2014.[21] Caesar is a fox, which represents the State Animal of Delaware, and is named after Caesar Rodney who served on the Continental Congress as a representative from Delaware during the American Revolution.

Ahead of the 2014-15 season, Baker was called up by the Sixers to serve as a scout in the front office.[22] Hired as his replacement was Kevin Young,[23] who led the team to an improved 20-30 record, had the Sevens ranked No. 7 in the D-League in points per game.[24] During the season, Sixers 2014 NBA Draft pick Jordan McRae joined the 87ers [25] for the team's final 13 games of the season.

On April 10, 2015, the 87ers earned the Merit Award for Emerging Business of the Year, and also received the Voter’s Choice Award for Community Involvement at the Delaware Small Business Chamber's Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony.[26]

Season-By-Season

Season Division Regular Season Playoffs
Finish Wins Losses Pct.
Utah Flash
2007–08 Western 3rd 24 26 .480
2008–09 Western 1st 32 18 .640 Won Round 1 (Bakersfield) 94-81
Won Semifinals (Dakota) 103-93
Lost D-League Finals (Colorado) 2-0
2009–10 Western 4th 28 22 .560 Lost Round 1 (Iowa) 2-1
2010–11 Western 5th 28 22 .560 Lost Round 1 (Iowa) 2-1
Delaware 87ers
2013–14 Eastern 6th 12 38 .240
2014–15 Atlantic 4th 20 30 .400
Regular Season Record 134 156 .400 2007–2014
Playoff Record 4 6 .400 2007–2011

Gatorade Call-Ups

All NBA D-League prospects — players whose rights are not owned by NBA teams — are free agents and are eligible to be called up to the NBA.[27]

2013-14

- Point guard Kendall Marshall was signed to a multi-year contract by the Los Angeles Lakers on December 20, 2013 after playing in seven games with Delaware.[28]

- Shooting guard Vander Blue signed a 10-day contract with the Boston Celtics on January 22, 2014 after four games played for the 87ers.[29]

2014-15

- Forward Drew Gordon was signed by the Philadelphia 76ers on November 10, 2014.[30] Gordon returned to the 87ers on December 10, 2014 after playing in nine games with the Sixers.[31]

- Guard Malcolm Lee signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on December 5, 2014,[32] but re-joined the Sevens less than 10 days later on December 13, 2015.

- Forward Ronald Roberts was called up by the Philadelphia 76ers on December 12, 2014,[33] but was re-acquired by Delaware on December 17, 2014.[34]

- Guard Sean Kilpatrick received a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 19, 2015.[35] Kilpatrick returned to the 87ers on March 29, 2015 for their final two games of the season.

Current roster

Delaware 87ers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From
G 24 Davis, Baron 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1979–04–13 UCLA
G 15 Greene, Ty 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1992–06–06 USC Upstate
G 6 Harris, Jay 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1992–08–04 UIC
C 34 Jackson, Charles 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1993–05–22 Tennessee Tech
F 20 Jones, Jamal 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 1993–02–17 Texas A&M
F 13 Laury, David 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1990–04–09 Iona
G/F — Olson, Brett 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1992–08–18 Denver
F/C 32 Railey, Jordan 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 264 lb (120 kg) 1992–04–01 Washington State
F 12 Thompson, Sam 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1992–11–11 Ohio State
G/F 7 Usher, Davon 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1992–08–11 Delaware
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (NBA) On assignment from NBA affiliate
  • (I) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster • Transactions
Last transaction: 2016–04–07

Affiliates

Flash
87ers

References

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External links

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  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_6722855
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700240492/Utah-Jazz-notes-Smith-Fredman-given-new-responsibilities-with-ballclub.html?pg=all
  7. ↑ http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/new-flash-point-guard-working-to-take-the-next-big/article_ffc5a187-e22c-5250-92a8-2d3ed3a2e9b1.html
  8. ↑ http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/affiliates_090629.html
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/52031510-87/flash-jazz-andersen-season.html.csp
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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