Motor City Cruise

Motor City Cruise
Conference	Eastern
League	NBA G League
Founded	2003
History	Long Beach Jam ABA: 2003–2005 Bakersfield Jam D-League: 2006–2016 Northern Arizona Suns 2016–2021 Motor City Cruise 2021–present
Arena	Wayne State Fieldhouse
Location	Detroit, Michigan
Team colors	Royal blue, red, grey, black, white [1] [2]
President	Vacant
General manager	Ben Carloni
Head coach	Jamelle McMillan
Ownership	Detroit Pistons
Affiliation(s)	Detroit Pistons
Championships	ABA:1 (2004) D-League/G League:0
Division/Conference titles	ABA:1 (2004) D-League/G League:1 (2013)
Website	Official website

The Motor City Cruise are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Detroit, and are affiliated with the Detroit Pistons. The Cruise play their home games at Wayne State Fieldhouse. The franchise began play as the Long Beach Jam in 2003 under the revived American Basketball Association and moved to Bakersfield in the D-League in 2006 as the Bakersfield Jam. After ten years in Bakersfield, California, the franchise was moved to Prescott Valley, Arizona, in 2016 by the Phoenix Suns and were subsequently renamed the Northern Arizona Suns. In 2021, the team relocated to Detroit after being purchased by the Pistons.

History

Long Beach Jam (2003–2005)

During the year-long hiatus that the American Basketball Association had in the 2002–03 season, one of the teams the league approved of would be the Long Beach Jam. In the team's inaugural season, the Jam managed to procure NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, fellow veteran Corey Gaines, up-and-coming player Matt Barnes, and Japanese point guard Yuta Tabuse on their squad. They also got former NBA Finals winning head coach Paul Westhead during the start of the season, but he managed to procure himself an assistant coach gig with the Orlando Magic after their first game of the season. Nevertheless, with the presence of players like Rodman, Gaines and Tabuse under new head coach Earl Cureton, the Jam would hold a 24–7 record. It was not only considered the best record of the league that season, but also gave the Jam a bye all the way into the Finals, where they competed against the winner of the Kansas City Knights (the previous champions of the ABA) and the Juárez Gallos. In the championship round, the Jam barely escaped against the Knights to win the ABA Championship with a final score of 126–123.

In their second and final season under the Long Beach name, the Jam began their season under a pedestrian 8–6 record with another NBA Hall of Famer, this time Nate "Tiny" Archibald, leading the way as head coach during the first half of the 2004–05 season. On January 17, 2005, Archibald resigned from his position as head coach and had former player and future head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, Corey Gaines, assigned as their new head coach during the second half of their season. In that season, they managed to produce an 18–10 record in a greatly expanded ABA, with Gaines improving the team with a 10-4 second half during that season, which produced them with the second-best record in the Red Division. The Jam competed in the playoffs and made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost 130–115 to the Utah Snowbears (who produced a 25–1 that season), who would surprisingly end up forfeiting their last match to the Bellevue Blackhawks (potentially due to sunk costs with the team) since the Snowbears folded soon afterwards, while Bellevue lost the championship match to the Arkansas RimRockers. After the end of that season, the Jam withdrew from the 2005–06 ABA season to move to the NBA Development League the following season afterward, with the intent to also move to Bakersfield around that same period of time. ^[3]

Bakersfield Jam (2006–2016)

After their first season in Bakersfield ended in 2007, there was a contest where the fans could decide on a new name for the team. The choices were to rename the team Desperados, Roughnecks, Oilers, or keep the name Jam. On May 17, the team announced that the team will remain the Bakersfield Jam, as that name won the poll in a landslide vote. ^[4]

The team played at Rabobank Arena until 2009 and later at the Jam Events Center.

On April 29, 2009, it was reported that the Jam had ceased operations, citing lack of sufficient fan attendance. However, on June 18, the Jam announced that they had not shut down and plan to play in the 2009–10 season, with further details to come the following day. ^[5]

On April 30, 2014, it was reported that the Jam would enter a hybrid operation with the Phoenix Suns. Not only would that lead to the Suns having exclusive collaborations with the team, but it would also allow the Jam to operate under their own management in the process. On May 9, it was confirmed that the Suns and the Jam would agree to working under a hybrid affiliation. ^[6] Four days later, the Jam completed their transition by allowing Suns scout Bubba Barrage to be the team's newest general manager and letting Nate Bjorkgren coach the Jam in place of Will Voigt. ^[7] Since the Dignity Health Event Center seated only 500, the team did not sell individual general admission tickets and were sold to season ticket holders only.

On May 29, 2015, it was announced that Nate Bjorkgren would leave the Jam to take part in the Suns' organization as a leading player development and assistant coach. ^[8] Three months later, former NBA coach Chris Jent would be the newest head coach for the Jam.

Northern Arizona Suns (2016–2021)

Northern Arizona Suns logo

On April 12, 2016, the Phoenix Suns announced that the organization had officially purchased the Jam and were relocating the franchise to the town of Prescott Valley, Arizona, for the 2016–17 season and became the Northern Arizona Suns. ^[9] In response, the previous owners of the Jam franchise, Stan Ellis and David Higdon, announced that they have been working with the D-League in securing a new franchise and affiliation before the 2016–17 season, although it did not come to fruition. ^[10] On May 2, it was announced that former Arizona Sundogs and current Arizona Rattlers president, Chris Presson, would become the new team president for the Suns. The new team logo and jerseys for Northern Arizona was officially unveiled on May 11 ^{[11] [12]} and the front office personnel and coaching staff were announced on August 16. ^[13] During their first season as the Northern Arizona Suns, the team started out the season strong, entering with a 10–1 record. However, the Suns would enter a major losing streak after having Tyler Ulis and Alan Williams briefly play for them via assignment, and would ultimately not recover from it afterward.

In the 2017 offseason, the D-League rebranded as the NBA G League. On October 20, 2017, the Suns had assistant general manager Louis Lehman take over general manager duties for the Northern Arizona Suns, while previous general manager Bubba Barrage remained in Phoenix as director of player personnel. ^[14] Three days later, head coach Tyrone Ellis became an assistant coach for Phoenix alongside Northern Arizona assistants Bret Burchard and Brandon Rosenthal, leaving assistant coach Tyler Gatlin as the interim head coach during the G League preseason. ^[15] Cody Toppert was named the head coach just prior to the start of the season. ^[16] The team finished the season with a 23–27 record and missed the playoffs. At the end of the season, head coach Toppert was promoted to an assistant coaching position in Phoenix. ^[17] He would be replaced by former Northern Arizona Suns assistant and Phoenix Suns' assistant coach Bret Burchard. ^[18]

Following the pandemic-shorted 2019–20 season, the Phoenix Suns originally announced that the team would relocate to the metro Phoenix area for the following season. ^[19] However, the team withdrew entirely from the 2020–21 season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic when the G League held the abbreviated season in a bubble in Orlando, Florida. ^[20]

Motor City Cruise (2021–present)

On July 29, 2020, the Detroit Pistons announced that the organization had purchased the Northern Arizona Suns from the Phoenix Suns and were relocating the franchise to Detroit for the 2021–22 season to play at Wayne State Fieldhouse. It was also announced that the team's affiliation with the Grand Rapids Drive would end upon the completion of the 2020–21 season. ^[21] On October 30, the team name was announced as the Motor City Cruise. ^[22]

On March 17, 2021, the Cruise announced the hiring of Rob Murphy as president and general manager. ^[23] Pistons' assistant coach DJ Bakker was named the first head coach for the Cruise on August 23. ^[24]

Season-by-season record

Season	League	Division/Conference	Finish	Wins	Losses	Pct.	Postseason results
Long Beach Jam
2003–04	ABA	—	1st	24	7	.774	Won ABA Championship (Kansas City) 126–123
2004–05	ABA	Red	2nd	18	10	.643	Won ABA Quarterfinals (Las Vegas) 148–126 Lost ABA Semifinals (Utah Snowbears) 115–130
2005–06	Suspended operations for D-League application
Bakersfield Jam
2006–07	D-League	Western	6th	19	31	.380
2007–08	D-League	Western	5th	11	39	.220
2008–09	D-League	Western	3rd	26	24	.520	Lost First Round (Utah) 81–94
2009–10	D-League	Western	8th	17	33	.340
2010–11	D-League	Western	4th	29	21	.580	Lost First Round (Rio Grande Valley) 1–2
2011–12	D-League	Western	3rd	28	22	.560	Won First Round (Dakota) 2–0 Lost Semifinals (Los Angeles) 0–2
2012–13	D-League	Western	1st	36	14	.720	Lost First Round (Austin) 0–2
2013–14	D-League	Western	5th	24	26	.480
2014–15	D-League	Western	2nd	34	16	.680	Lost First Round (Austin) 1–2
2015–16	D-League	Pacific	3rd	22	28	.440
Northern Arizona Suns
2016–17	D-League	Pacific	3rd	22	28	.448
2017–18	G League	Pacific	4th	23	27	.460
2018–19	G League	Pacific	5th	12	38	.240
2019–20	G League	Pacific	5th	8	34	.190	Season cancelled by COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21	G League	Opted out of single-site season
Motor City Cruise
2021–22	G League	Eastern	2nd	22	10	.688	Lost Conference Semifinal (Delaware) 116–124
2022–23	G League	Eastern	8th	17	15	.531
ABA regular season				42	17	.712	2003–2005
D/G League regular season				350	406	.463	2006–present
Playoffs				6	11	.353	2003–present
Regular season and Playoffs combined				392	423	.481	2003–present

Current roster

Motor City Cruise roster

• v
• t
• e

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From G 7 Estrada, Aaron 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-02-03 Alabama G 2 Higgs, Devon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 2000-02-10 Georgia Southwestern State G 24 Jenkins, Daniss  (TW) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-08-17 St. John's F/C 55 Kissoonlal, Reginald 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1996-04-10 Northwestern State F 17 Martin, Cameron 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1998-03-24 Boise State G 3 McCoy, Javante 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-01-24 Boston University F 0 Peek, Sam 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1999-06-11 Stetson G 1 Seabron, Dereon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-05-26 NC State F 5 Smith, Tolu 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 2001-07-26 Mississippi State F 11 Stevens, Lamar 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1997-07-09 Penn State F 13 Swider, Cole  (TW) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1999-05-08 Syracuse G/F 9 Thompson, Ausar  (NBA) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2003-01-30 Pine Crest (FL) F 14 Ukomadu, John 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-10-30 Eastern Kentucky G 31 Williams, Alondes  (TW) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1999-06-19 Wake Forest

Head coach Jamelle McMillan Assistant coach(es) Evan Harville Briann January Jimmie Oakman Marcus Stout (Associate HC) Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (P) Prospects (NBA) On assignment from NBA affiliate (TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured Roster Last transaction: November 19, 2024

Head coaches

#	Head coach	Term	Regular season				Playoffs				Achievements
			G	W	L	Win%	G	W	L	Win%
1	Paul Westhead	2003	1	1	0	1.000	—	—	—	—
2	Earl Cureton	2003–2004	30	23	7	.767	1	1	0	1.000	ABA Championship (2004)
3	Nate Archibald	2004–2005	14	8	6	.571	—	—	—	—
4	Corey Gaines	2005	14	10	4	.714	2	1	1	.500
5	Jim Harrick	2006–2007	50	19	31	.380	—	—	—	—
6	Sean Rooks	2007–2008	50	11	39	.220	—	—	—	—
7	Scott Roth	2008–2009	50	26	24	.520	1	0	1	.000
8	Will Voigt	2009–2014	250	134	116	.536	9	3	6	.333
9	Nate Bjorkgren	2014–2015	50	34	16	.680	3	1	2	.333
10	Chris Jent	2015–2016	50	22	28	.440	—	—	—	—
11	Tyrone Ellis	2016–2017	50	22	28	.440	—	—	—	—
12	Cody Toppert	2017–2018	50	23	27	.460	—	—	—	—
13	Bret Burchard	2018–2020	50	12	38	.240	—	—	—	—
14	DJ Bakker	2021–2023	64	39	25	.609	2	1	1	.500
15	Jamelle McMillan	2023–present	64	39	25	.609	2	1	1	.500

NBA affiliates

Bakersfield Jam

• Atlanta Hawks (2012–2014)
• Golden State Warriors (2006–2010)
• Los Angeles Clippers (2009–2014)
• Los Angeles Lakers (2010–2011)
• Orlando Magic (2008–2009)
• Phoenix Suns (2011–2016)
• Sacramento Kings (2006–2008)
• Toronto Raptors (2011–2014)
• Utah Jazz (2013–2014)

Northern Arizona Suns

• Phoenix Suns (2016–2021)

Motor City Cruise

• Detroit Pistons (2021–present)

References

1. "Detroit Pistons NBA G League Affiliate To Be Named 'Motor City Cruise'". Pistons.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. October 30, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2021. The colors – red, white, blue and gray – and lettering align with the Pistons' current font and color scheme.
2. "Motor City Cruise Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet". NBA Properties, Inc. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
3. "Long Beach Jam History & Past Standings". Los Angeles Almanac. Archived from the original on May 25, 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2006.
4. Bakersfield To Keep Jammin'
5. The Jam is not toast after all
6. Phoenix Suns to use D-League Bakersfield as affiliate
7. Phoenix Suns to "make experience seamless" between Suns and D-League's Jam by using same system
8. "Suns make coaching staff changes, drop Kenny Gattison".
9. "Phoenix Suns Buy Bakersfield Jam; Relocate Team to Prescott Valley, Arizona". OurSports Central. April 12, 2016.
10. "Phoenix Suns Purchase Bakersfield Jam". OurSports Central. April 12, 2016.
11. Petersen, Matt (May 11, 2016). "New Logo, Uniforms Cement Suns' D-League Presence in Prescott Valley". Phoenix Suns. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
12. Kotloff, Brian (May 10, 2016). "Northern Arizona Suns Unveil Logo and Uniforms". NBA Development League. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
13. http://northernarizona.dleague.nba.com/news/northern-arizona-suns-announce-basketball-staff/ ^{[ dead link ‍]}
14. "Louis Lehman Named New GM Of NAZ Suns". www.prescottenews.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-23.
15. "Northern Arizona Suns endure hectic week as training camp opens". 2 Ways & 10 Days. October 25, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
16. Jacob Withee (November 4, 2017). "Cody Toppert Named New Head Coach of Northern Arizona Suns". NBA G League.
17. "NAZ Suns' coach Cody Toppert joins Phoenix staff as assistant under Kokoskov". The Daily Courier . June 22, 2018.
18. "Bret Burchard Named Head Coach of Northern Arizona Suns". OurSportsCentral.com. July 25, 2018.
19. "NAZ Suns announce they are leaving Prescott Valley". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
20. "NBA G League To Begin Play at Disney In February". NBA G League. January 8, 2021.
21. Beard, Rod (July 29, 2020). "Pistons buy G League team to play in Detroit for 2021-22; Grand Rapids Drive mull options". The Detroit News. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
22. "Pistons announce G-League team name will be Motor City Cruise". WXYZ-TV . October 30, 2020.
23. Maynard, Jason (March 17, 2021). "Motor City Cruise Names Rob Murphy as President and General Manager". NBA.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
24. "Motor City Cruise Names DJ Bakker as Head Coach". OurSports Central. August 24, 2021.