Rochester Kingz

Last updated
Rochester Kingz
Logo of the Rochester Kingz TBL basketball team.jpg
Founded2023
Folded2025
League American Basketball Association
2023–2024
The Basketball League
2025
Division Mid Atlantic
Location Rochester, New York
Arena James Monroe High School
ColorsGold, black, white
   
OwnerKnowledge Allah
Head coachAnthony Flowers
Playoff berths1 (2024)
Local media TBL TV
Website rochesterkingztbl.com

The Rochester Kingz were a basketball team based in Rochester, New York, that last played in the Mid Atlantic Division of The Basketball League (TBL) in 2025.

Previously, the team competed in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 2023 to 2024.

History

Knowledge Allah, a local Rochester, New York restaurateur and owner of Allah's Kitchen, founded the Rochester Kingz in 2023. [1] The team played home games at both Roberts Wesleyan University and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Academy.

In their inaugural American Basketball Association (ABA) season, the team finished with an 11–8 record and was led by Johnathan Ivy (25.7 points per game) and Rodney Hawkins (22.1 points per game). [2] [3] The club suspended operations after being eliminated from the 2023–24 ABA playoffs by the Buffalo eXtreme on March 16, 2024. [4]

Much of the players reformed under new ownership as the Rochester Royal Ballers for the 2024–25 ABA season. [5] Star players Johnathan Ivy and Rodney Hawkins both left to join the Buffalo eXtreme. [6]

The revived Rochester Kingz franchise was announced by Knowledge Allah in January 2025, and competed in The Basketball League (TBL) for the 2025 season. [7] [8] They utilized James Monroe High School as their home venue, with aspirations to later move to Blue Cross Arena. [9]

The Rochester Kingz lost their TBL debut on the road in an interleague game against the London Lightning of the Basketball Super League on February 15, 2025. [10] Dane Miller Jr. led the Kingz in scoring with 22 points. [10]

After playing only four games, the team folded again in April 2025. [11]

Season-by-season record

Note: Statistics are correct as of the 2025 season.

League championsConference championsDivision championsPlayoff berth
Season Conference Finish Division FinishWinsLosses Win% GB PlayoffsAwardsHead coachRef.
2023–24East7thWhite3rd118.5796.5Lost Division semifinal (eXtreme) 101–108 [12]
2025 Mid Atlantic7th04.0009.5Did not qualify. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Marbury, Justice (January 1, 2025). "New professional basketball team comes to Rochester". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Buffalo eXtreme on Instagram: "The eXtreme is very excited to announce the signing of @j.ivy_3 to the team."". Instagram. September 11, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Buffalo eXtreme on Instagram: "We are proud to announce the signing of Rochester native Rodney Hawkins!!"". Instagram. September 15, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025. [self-published]
  4. ↑ "Game score of American Basketball Association (ABA) on MyStatsOnline.com". MyStatsOnline. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  5. ↑ ABA, the (September 12, 2024). "ROCHESTER ROYAL BALLERS SET TO BEGIN PLAY IN NOVEMBER – ABA Basketball". ABA Basketball – Official Website of the ABA. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Buffalo eXtreme Basketball Roster". Eurobasket LLC. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  7. ↑ Mills, Ian (January 12, 2025). "Meet the Rochester Kingz, the 585's TBL affiliate". WHEC.com. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  8. ↑ Cruel, Sergio (January 20, 2025). "Rochester Kingz give players a chance to chase professional basketball dreams". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Exciting New Basketball Franchise Set to Make Debut in Rochester as Association Grows". footboom1.com. January 1, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Box Score". London Lightning. February 15, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Rochester Kingz". hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Team stats of Rochester Kingz on MyStatsOnline.com". MyStatsOnline. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
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