The International Basketball League (IBL) was a short-lived professional men's basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.

History Background The International Basketball League (IBL) was first proposed in 1996 as a single-structure organization similar to Major League Soccer. Because of this players were paid by the league and not the team's owners. The IBL also had classes they called "Player Education/Life Readiness Plan" in which IBL players were informed about scholarship opportunities and how to balance school and professional basketball. Plans for the league to begin play were tentatively set for November 1997 with 10 unidentified franchise in the United States.

The league sought to have college players or high school players join their league instead of playing in the NCAA, where they could not receive compensation for their play. NCAA spokesperson Katherine Rice responded to the IBL by saying, "As an educational program, we prefer young people to get an education as a basis for their sports activities."

Founding A two-day meeting was held in St. Louis, Missouri on January 19, 1999 with over 50 IBL owners, executives and advisers in attendance. They were briefed on several things including potential television contracts, the IBL draft and the playoffs.

On February 15, 1999 IBL president Thaxter Trafton announced the team would begin the season on November 26, 1999. Paul Martha served as the IBL vice president and general legal council.

The International Basketball League was founded in early 1999 and made plans to begin play in fall of that year.

Seasons The first season did not quite meet expectations with attendance, but the league was still largely functional, with the Saint Louis Swarm winning the first championship.

The second season was significantly rougher, with the league losing the Baltimore and San Diego franchises and merging with teams from the Continental Basketball Association after that league folded early in 2000. The Swarm won the championship of that league in the second season, and although the league had stated that it would return for a third season, this was not to be the case, and all the teams folded soon after the season ended, although the teams from the former CBA ultimately restarted the CBA the following year.

Although the league had some innovations such as playing the international three-point line and trapezoid lane, and with the intention to offer professional basketball and more reasonable ticket prices, the cost structure of the league was simply too great for the revenue and attendance figures that it received.

Partnership with NBA After the CBA suspended operations on February 8, 2001 the IBL absorbed five CBA clubs, increasing its number to 11. And on February 27, 2001, it was announced that the IBL players were allowed to sign contracts with NBA clubs in a deal that placed the league in a role similar to that of the -then- defunct CBA. Thus, NBA teams were able to sign IBL players for the rest of the 2000-01 season.IBL replaces CBA as NBA's feeder ( Feb 27, 2001) - deseret.com

Salary cap During the league's first season the salary cap was $525.000 for a 10-player roster. While a CBA player made roughly $22,000 a year at the time, an average IBL player would make about $50,000 (while ABA 2000 players would get paid significantly more).LV's ABA franchise taking shape (Jan. 21, 2000) - lasvegassun.com

Clubs +List of teams Team City Arena(s) Joined Folded Baltimore Bayrunners Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Arena Cincinnati Stuff Cincinnati, Ohio Firstar Center Connecticut Pride Hartford, Connecticut Hartford Civic Center Gary Steelheads Gary, Indiana Genesis Convention Center Grand Rapids Hoops Grand Rapids, Michigan DeltaPlex Arena Las Vegas Silver Bandits Paradise, Nevada Thomas and Mack Center New Mexico Slam Albuquerque, New Mexico Tingley Coliseum Richmond Rhythm Richmond, Virginia Siegel Center Rockford Lightning Rockford, Illinois BMO Harris Bank Center Trenton Shooting Stars Trenton, New Jersey Sovereign Bank Arena San Diego Stingrays San Diego, California San Diego Sports Arena St. Louis Swarm St. Charles, Missouri Family Arena Sioux Falls Skyforce Sioux Falls, South Dakota Sioux Falls Arena The Gary Steelheads folded in 2008 after last playing in the International Basketball League, which had no association with the 1999 to 2001 IBL The Grand Rapids Hoops joined the re-organized Continental Basketball Association (CBA) in 2001 and played until 2003 The Rockford Lightning joined the re-organized CBA in 2001 and played until 2006 The only franchise from the IBL that is still in existence are the Sioux Falls Skyforce, who now play in the NBA G League.

Map

Postseason results 2000 IBL Playoffs

2001 IBL Playoffs

League awards Most valuable player +SeasonPlayerTeam1999–00Doug SmithSt. Louis Swarm2000–01Danny Johnson

Playoffs MVP +SeasonPlayerTeam1999–002000–01Maurice CarterSt. Louis Swarm

Rookie of the year +SeasonPlayerTeam1999–00Danny JohnsonSt. Louis Swarm2000–01Neil EdwardsGary Steelheads

Coach of the year +SeasonPlayerTeam1999–00Bernie BickerstaffSt. Louis Swarm2000–01

All–IBL teams 1999–2000 First team:

+PlayerTeamDanny JohnsonSt. Louis SwarmRyan LorthridgeTrenton Shooting StarsTremaine FowlkesCincinnati Stuff J. R. HendersonLas Vegas Silver BanditsDoug SmithSt. Louis Swarm

Second team: +PlayerTeamIsaac BurtonLas Vegas Silver BanditsJason SasserNew Mexico SlamAlex SandersCincinnati StuffRay TuttTrenton Shooting StarsRocky WallsLas Vegas Silver Bandits

2000–2001 First team:

+PlayerTeamAntonio SmithGrand Rapids HoopsDanny JohnsonSt. Louis SwarmRay TuttTrenton Shooting StarsRoderick BlakneyCincinnati StuffJeff SandersRockford Lightning

Statistical leaders Year Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks 1999–00 J. R. Henderson, 22.6 Rocky Walls, 12.3 Ryan Lorthridge, 7.8 Isaac Burton, 2.5 Soumaila Samake, 2.7 2000–01 Sam Mack, 23.1 Antonio Smith, 13.9 Ryan Lorthridge, 8.6 Roderick Blakney, 2.4 N/A

Notable players International players Carl Thomas, USA National team (1995-1999) - 12 appearances Byron Houston, USA international player (5 appearances in 1999) Michael Hawkins, USA international player (14 appearances in 1998-99) Kermit Holmes, USA international player (14 appearances in 1997-99) Todd Lindeman, USA international player (5 appearances in 1999) Doug Smith, USA international player (21 appearances in 1989-99) Harold Ellis, USA international player (1993) Evers Burns, USA international player (9 appearances in 1997) Jason Sasser, USA international player (18 appearances in 1997-98) Kiwane Garris, USA international player (9 appearances in 1998)

References

External links INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE HISTORY on apbr.org