The Fort Worth Flyers were a minor league basketball team in the NBA Development League (D-League) based in Fort Worth, Texas. They began play in the 2005–06 season and were shut down for the 2007–08 season.
Franchise history In 2005, Southwest Basketball, LLC led by David Kahn was granted permission by the recently rebranded NBA Development League (NBA D-League) to operate four new teams. Southwest Basketball then purchased and relocated three existing franchises while launching one expansion team, the Fort Worth Flyers. The team introduced its logo of a blue capital "F", reminiscent of a biplane, over a basketball.
The team began play in 2005–06 as an expansion franchise with Sam Vincent as coach. They were the D-League's regular season champions, finishing 28–20, but lost the championship game to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds by a score of 119–108. Vincent left after the season and was succeeded by Sidney Moncrief.
The following season, they finished in third place in the Eastern Division with a 29–21 record and lost the Eastern Division semifinal game to the Sioux Falls Skyforce 128–105.
The team did not return for the 2007–08 season as they were not profitable for Southwest Basketball, LLC. There was talk of the Flyers moving to Reno, Nevada, and of the D-League placing another team in Fort Worth, citing their proximity to the Dallas Mavericks.Fort Worth Star-Telegram The D-League returned to the metroplex in 2010 with the Texas Legends, affiliated with the Mavericks.
Season-by-season SeasonDivisionRegular seasonPlayoffsFinishWinsLossesPct. Fort Worth Flyers2005–06 1st 28 20 .583 Won Semifinals (Roanoke) 87–78Lost D-League Finals (Albuquerque) 119–1082006–07 Eastern 3rd 29 21 .580 Lost Semifinals (Sioux Falls) 128–105 Regular season record 57 41 .582 Playoff record 1 2 .333
Notable players Maurice Ager Deji Akindele Kelenna Azubuike J. J. Barea Chris Copeland Bobby Jones Pops Mensah-Bonsu Jamario Moon Jeremy Richardson Luke Schenscher Ime Udoka Martell Webster Louis Williams Ha Seung-jin
NBA affiliates Charlotte Bobcats (2006–2007) Dallas Mavericks (2005–2007) Golden State Warriors (2005–2006) Los Angeles Lakers (2005–2006) Philadelphia 76ers (2006–2007) Portland Trail Blazers (2005–2006)
References
External links Fort Worth Flyers Homepage Official NBA Development League website Boston Globe Article on JJB