Delaware Blue Coats

Last updated

Delaware Blue Coats
Delaware Blue Coats logo.svg
ConferenceEastern
League NBA G League
Founded2007
HistoryUtah Flash
2007–2011
Delaware 87ers
2013–2018
Delaware Blue Coats
2018–present
Arena Chase Fieldhouse
Location Wilmington, Delaware
Team colorsBlue, red, cream, navy blue, white [1]
     
General manager Jameer Nelson [2]
Head coach Mike Longabardi
Ownership
Affiliation(s) Philadelphia 76ers
Championships1 (2023)
Conference titles2 (2022, 2023)
Division titles1 (2009)
Website bluecoats.gleague.nba.com

The Delaware Blue Coats are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Wilmington, Delaware, and are affiliated with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Blue Coats play their home games at Chase Fieldhouse. 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, where it played as the Delaware 87ers (nicknamed the Sevens) until 2018. The team moved to the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware, in 2018 and were rebranded as the Delaware Blue Coats. [3] [4] [5] As with the Sixers, the Blue Coats are owned by Josh Harris and David Blitzer under Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE). The team won the 2022–23 G League championship.

Contents

History

Utah Flash

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. [6] [7] [8]

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. [9] 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 a 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. [7] [10] In July 2008, Fredman was called back by the Jazz to work as a scout, [11] and coach Jones ended up pulling double duty as general manager as well. [12] In 2009, the Celtics changed affiliations to the new team Maine Red Claws, leading the Atlanta Hawks to join forces with the Flash. [13]

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. [14] 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 prior two years, as well as scout and director of basketball operations, and before joining the organization worked at the Utah Valley University team. [15]

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. [16]

Delaware 87ers

On April 27, 2013, after two years of hiatus, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired the team, and renamed it the Delaware 87ers. The nickname, a play on the 76ers' own, was inspired by the fact that Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787. [17] The team played its games at the University of Delaware campus. Former Ripken Baseball Inc. assistant vice president of sales/marketing Aaron Moszer was named team president. [18] [19]

In September 2013, Brandon Williams was named the team's first general manager. [20] Rod Baker was named the team's head coach for their inaugural season in Delaware. [21]

The 87ers finished their first season with a 12–38 record. [22] Two players received a Gatorade Call-Up during the 2013–14 season [23] – Kendall Marshall was called up by the Los Angeles Lakers on December 20, 2013, [24] and Vander Blue was called up by the Boston Celtics on January 22, 2014 [25] Thanasis Antetokounmpo was selected with the 51st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the New York Knicks [26] – the first 87er to be drafted into the NBA.

Over the summer, the 87ers introduced their mascot, Caesar, on August 22, 2014. [27] Caesar was a fox, 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. [28] Hired as his replacement was Kevin Young, [29] who led the team to an improved 20–30 record, and the Sevens ranked No. 7 in the D-League in points per game. [30] 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. [31]

The 87ers improved upon their offensive play from the previous season, with four different players scoring at least 45 points in a game in 2015–16 (a D-League record). Sean Kilpatrick scored 45 points, [32] Jordan McRae set the all-time D-League single-game scoring record with 61 points, [33] Christian Wood scored 45 points, and Russ Smith broke McRae's record and scored 65 points. [34] McRae and Kilpatrick were selected as All-Stars, [35] and both along with Wood received NBA call-ups. With three of their top four players now in the NBA, the 87ers went through a rough stretch from a 17–13 start to finish 21–29. They were however aided by former NBA All-Star Baron Davis, who played six games with the team to conclude the season.

Delaware Blue Coats

Beginning with the 2018–19 season, the team was renamed the Delaware Blue Coats, an homage to the 1st Delaware Regiment, also known as the "Delaware Blues," and their key role in the American Revolution. The team logo pays homage to Caesar Rodney (the namesake for the aforementioned mascot) and his 70-mile ride from Dover to Philadelphia on July 1–2, 1776, to cast Delaware's tie-breaking vote in favor of what would become the Declaration of Independence. The rebrand coincided with the opening of the new Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington. [4] [5] On September 20, 2018, general manager Elton Brand was promoted to general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. [36]

In the 2020–21 NBA G League season, the Blue Coats advanced to the championship before losing to Lakeland Magic. The following offseason led to general manager Matt Lilly being let go by the team and coach Connor Johnson resigning to look at other opportunities.[ citation needed ] Sixers vice president of player personnel, Prosper Karangwa, was given the duties of general manager [37] while former South Bay Lakers' head coach Coby Karl was named head coach. [38]

The 2022–23 season saw the Blue Coats return to the NBA G League Finals after a victory over Long Island. They became the first team since the Santa Cruz Warriors to reach the Finals in three straight seasons. On April 6, 2023, the Blue Coats clinched their first NBA G League championship in franchise history, avenging their finals loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the finals the previous year, defeating them 2 games to 0.

Season-by-season

SeasonDivisionRegular seasonPlayoffs
FinishWinsLossesPct.
Utah Flash
2007–08 Western3rd2426.480
2008–09 Western1st3218.640Won First Round (Bakersfield) 94–81
Won Semifinals (Dakota) 103–93
Lost D-League Finals (Colorado) 0–2
2009–10 Western4th2822.560Lost First Round (Iowa) 1–2
2010–11 Western5th2822.560Lost First Round (Iowa) 1–2
Delaware 87ers
2013–14 Eastern6th1238.240
2014–15 Atlantic4th2030.400
2015–16 Atlantic4th2129.420
2016–17 Atlantic2nd2624.520
2017–18 Southeast4th1634.320
Delaware Blue Coats
2018–19 Atlantic4th2129.420
2019–20 Atlantic2nd2221.512Season cancelled by COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 —4th105.667Won Quarterfinal (Austin) 124–103
Won Semifinal (Raptors 905) 127–100
Lost Championship (Lakeland) 78–97
2021–22 Eastern3rd2210.688Won Quarterfinal (Long Island) 133–116
Won Semifinal (Motor City) 124–116
Won Conference Final (Raptors 905) 143–139
Lost G League Finals (Rio Grande Valley) 0–2
2022–23 Eastern2nd2012.625Won Semifinal (Capital City) 104–99
Won Conference Finals (Long Island) 108–94
Won G League Finals (Rio Grande Valley) 2–0
Regular season record282308.4782007–present
Playoff record99.5002007–present

Current roster

Delaware Blue Coats roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 7 Bagley, Marcus 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)2001-10-23 Arizona State
F/C 13 Bazley, Darius 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)216 lb (98 kg)2000-06-12 Princeton HS (OH)
G 24 Brownridge, Jared 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)200 lb (91 kg)1994-11-13 Santa Clara
F 15 Clarke, Chris 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)216 lb (98 kg)1996-01-08 Texas Tech
G 16 Council, Ricky IV  (TW)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg)2001-08-03 Arkansas
G 34 Cumberland, Jarron 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)205 lb (93 kg)1997-09-27 Cincinnati
G 21 Dowtin, Jeff 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)177 lb (80 kg)1997-05-10 Rhode Island
G/F 55 Frazier, Melvin 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)215 lb (98 kg)1996-08-30 Tulane
F/C 35 Lofton, Kenneth Jr.  (TW)6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)275 lb (125 kg)2002-08-14 Louisiana Tech
G/F 77 McCaw, Patrick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)181 lb (82 kg)1995-10-25 UNLV
G 8 Mohammed, Aminu 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)2001-12-15 Georgetown
G 23 Smith, Terquavion  (TW)6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)2002-12-31 NC State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • JP Clark
  • Isaiah Fox
  • God Shammgod Jr.
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (P) Prospects
  • (NBA) On assignment from NBA affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 14, 2024

Head coaches

#Head coachTermRegular seasonPlayoffsAchievements
GWL Win% GWL Win%
1 Brad Jones 2007–20101508466.560633.500
2 Kevin Young 2010–2011502822.560312.333
3 Rod Baker 2013–2014501238.240————
4 Kevin Young 2014–20161004149.410————
5Eugene Burroughs2016–20181004258.420————
6 Connor Johnson 2018–20211085355.491321.667
7 Coby Karl 2021–2023644222.656532.600
8 Mike Longabardi 2023–present––––––––

NBA affiliates

Utah Flash

Delaware 87ers/Blue Coats

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quin Snyder</span> American basketball coach and former player

Quin Price Snyder is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). After being named a McDonald's All American as a high school player in Washington, he played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils. He was the head coach of the Utah Jazz for eight seasons, and known for being an offensive minded tactician.

Bob Carpenter Center is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena, in Newark, Delaware, named in honor of benefactor and trustee, R. R. M. Carpenter Jr. (1915–1990). Students at the University of Delaware have nicknamed it "The Bob."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyrylo Fesenko</span> Ukrainian professional basketball player

Kyrylo Anatoliyovych Fesenko is a Ukrainian professional basketball player for Al-Nasr SC of the Libyan Division I Basketball League. Standing at 2.16 m, he plays the center position. He wears a size 18 shoe and has a 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) wingspan and 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) standing reach.

Brandon D. Williams is an American former professional basketball player.

Dionte Lamont Christmas is an American former professional basketball player for Ciclista Olímpico of the Liga Nacional de Básquet. He played college basketball for Temple.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliot Williams</span> American basketball player

Elliot Jerell Williams is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Duke and Memphis. He was selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maalik Wayns</span> American-Belarusian basketball player (born 1991)

Maalik Benjamin Wayns is an American-Belarusian former basketball player and coach. He played high school basketball for Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, where he was a Parade All-American as well as a McDonald's All-American before playing college basketball for Villanova University under coach Jay Wright. He is now head coach at Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Marshall</span> American basketball coach and player (born 1991)

Kendall Dewan Marshall is an American basketball coach and former professional player. He was born in Dumfries, Virginia, and attended Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2012 NBA draft with the 13th overall pick.

Kevin Young is an American basketball coach who is an associate coach for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has previously played college basketball and was a head coach for Ireland's Super League with the Shamrock Rovers Hoops and the NBA Development League's Utah Flash, Iowa Energy, and Delaware 87ers. He was also an assistant coach for the Utah Valley State College, Oxford College, and the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Wroten</span> American basketball player (born 1993)

Tony LeonDre Wroten Jr. is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Washington Huskies, where he was a first-team all-conference selection in the Pac-12, before being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 25th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnett Moultrie</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Arnett Nathaniel Moultrie is an American professional basketball player for the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball with UTEP and Mississippi State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JP Tokoto</span> American basketball player

Jean-Pierre Tokoto II is an American-Cameroonian professional basketball player for Hapoel Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He played college basketball for the University of North Carolina before playing professionally in the NBA G League, Australia, Israel, and Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Wood</span> American basketball player (born 1995)

Christian Marquise Wood is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. He has also played in the NBA for the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks.

Darin Eugene Johnson is an American basketball player who last played for the Maree Basketball Club, a professional basketball team in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake Milton</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Malik Benjamin "Shake" Milton is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Southern Methodist University (SMU) from 2015 to 2018. Milton was drafted 54th overall in the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks, and was then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on draft night. He has also played for the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chase Fieldhouse</span> Multi-purpose arena in Wilmington, Delaware

The Chase Fieldhouse, originally known as the 76ers Fieldhouse, is a 2,500-seat multi-purpose arena and sports complex in Wilmington, Delaware, United States. The arena opened in 2019 and is home to the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League team, an affiliate of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norvel Pelle</span> Antiguan basketball player

Norvel Pelle Jr. is an Antiguan professional basketball player for Shahrdari Gorgan of the Iranian Basketball Super League (IBSL). A 6-foot-10-inch (2.08 m), 231-pound (105 kg) center, he played at three different high schools in the Los Angeles area and was ranked as one of the top recruits in his class. He was prohibited from competing in college after failing to meet academic requirements, choosing to immediately turn professional in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darius Bazley</span> American basketball player

Darius Denayr Bazley is an American professional basketball player for the Delaware Blue Coats the NBA G League. He attended Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio after playing his first two years at Finneytown High School. He was a consensus five-star recruit and the top prospect in his state, earning McDonald's All-American honors in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Brownridge</span> American basketball player

Jared Brownridge is an American professional basketball player for the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Santa Clara Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Reed (basketball)</span> American professional basketball player

Paul Reed, nicknamed "BBall Paul", is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the DePaul Blue Demons.

References

  1. ↑ "Delaware Blue Coats Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet". NBA Properties, Inc. Archived from the original on May 9, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Jameer Nelson named general manager". G League. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Plans State-of-the-Art 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington". NBA.com/Sixers. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. November 29, 2017. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Tresolini, Kevin (March 28, 2018). "The Blue Coats are coming! Nothing revolutionary as 87ers receive new nickname". The News Journal . Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Tornoe, Rob (March 28, 2018). "Sixers rename G-League team as work continues on new sports complex". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  6. ↑ Hall, Spencer (September 18, 2009). "Brandt Andersen Unplugged". Salt City Hoops.
  7. 1 2 "Cover story on Brandt Andersen". Daily Herald. July 18, 2007. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  8. ↑ Carpenter, Les (November 2, 2008). "A Minor League Owner With Major League Aspirations". The Washington Post.
  9. ↑ Siler, Ross (August 26, 2007). "Orem franchise built on NBA ties". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on February 6, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Get To Know The Utah Flash". National Basketball Association. April 17, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007.
  11. ↑ Buckley, Tim (July 4, 2008). "Utah Jazz notes: Smith, Fredman given new responsibilities with ballclub". Deseret News. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  12. ↑ Warner, Neil K. (January 25, 2009). "New Flash point guard working to take the next big step, playing in the NBA". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  13. ↑ "NBA Development League: NBA D-League Announces Affiliates For 2009–10 Season". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. June 29, 2009. Archived from the original on March 29, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Utah NBDL team to refund tickets from Jordan hoax". USA Today . Associated Press. August 12, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Utah Flash bring back familiar faces for upcoming season". Daily Herald . May 24, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  16. ↑ Smith, Brian T. (June 19, 2011). "Utah Flash for sale; won't play this season". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  17. ↑ Kotloff, Brian (April 27, 2013). "Sixers change name of newly acquired D-League affiliate to Delaware 87ers". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Sixers acquire D-League team in Delaware". NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Associated Press. April 27, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Philadelphia 76ers Acquire NBA D-League Franchise; Relocate It to Delaware and Name It The Delaware 87ers". NBA.com/Sixers. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. April 27, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  20. ↑ Rappaport, Max (September 19, 2013). "Fastbreak: Brandon D. Williams Hired As Sevens GM". Philadelphia 76ers.
  21. ↑ "Sixers Hire Rod Baker to Coach Delaware 87ers". The News Journal. November 6, 2013. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015.
  22. ↑ "2013–14 Delaware 87ers schedule". RealGM.
  23. ↑ "2013–14 GATORADE Call-Ups". NBA Development League. Archived from the original on April 30, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Lakers Sign Kendall Marshall". Los Angeles Lakers. December 20, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Boston Celtics Sign Delaware's Vander Blue to 10-Day Contract". NBA Development League. January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015.
  26. ↑ Steinberg, Russell (June 26, 2014). "2014 NBA Draft Results: Knicks select Thanasis Antetokounmpo with 51st pick". SB Nation.
  27. ↑ "Meet our mascot: Caesar". Delaware 87ers. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Sixers Front Office Calls Up Sevens Head Coach Rod Baker". Philadelphia 76ers. October 13, 2014.
  29. ↑ "87ers Announce Hiring of Head Development Coach Kevin Young". Delaware 87ers. October 16, 2014. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Delaware 87ers Seasons". NBA Development League.
  31. ↑ "87ers take home Delaware Small Business Chamber awards". Delaware 87ers. April 10, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  33. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ↑ "Ex-L'ville star Smith nets 65 for D-League record". March 24, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire". Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Elton Brand Named General Manager". NBA.com. September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Blue Coats Name Prosper Karangwa General Manager". OurSports Central. October 22, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Coby Karl Named Head Coach of Delaware Blue Coats - NBA G League". gleague.nba.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.