Hardwood Pioneers: The Story of the CBA
On April 23, 1946, the world’s first professional basketball league
was formed in the United States. No, it wasn’t the NBA. It was the
Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League -- the precursor to the
Continental Basketball Association, or CBA.
Today, the Albany, New York-based league is considered to be a
leading farm system for NBA franchises. In fact, the CBA boasts a
distinguished pedigree of producing NBA talent. For example, current
NBA head coaches Phil Jackson, Flip Saunders and George Karl each began
their sideline stints in the CBA. And longtime NBA players John Starks
and Tim Legler tipped off their pro careers on the CBA hardwood.
Currently, the CBA is comprised of the following teams: Albany
Patroons, Butte Daredevils, Florida Pit Bulls, Great Falls Explorers,
Indiana Alley Cats, Minot SkyRockets, Rockford Lightning, SoCal Legends
and Yakama Sun Kings.
