Schenectady Legends

Last updated
Schenectady Legends
Schenectady Legends logo.jpg
Founded2010
League IBA
Team historyAlbany Legends (2010-14)
Schenectady Legends (2014-2017)
Based in Schenectady, New York
Arena Schenectady YMCA
ColorsBlue & Yellow
PresidentSteve Miller and Bob Hord
Head coach Scott Knapp
Championships2 (2010, 2014)

Formed in 2010, the Schenectady Legends were a semi-professional basketball team in the Independent Basketball Association (IBA). The franchise was originally known as the Albany Legends, changing their name in 2014 with a move to Schenectady. They folded in 2017 with the end of the Independent Basketball Association.

Contents

As a result of experiences gained while playing with the Legends, more than 80% of alumni and current players, including former NBAers have been promoted to top professional leagues on five continents, including: the NBA D-League (Kyle Cuffe, Springfield Armor 2010), Japan, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Thailand, Canada, England, Italy, Chile, France and Germany.

Some local capital region players playing abroad include Lloyd Johnson (Lucera, Italy), EJ Gallup (TBB Trier), Evan Lane (Tunisia, Africa), Will Harris (Denmark) and Scotty McRae (Chile and Italy) and Prince Jackson (Italy).

History

The team was established in April 2010 by an independent and locally owned organization, a year after the demise of the Albany Patroons. The team were part of the International Basketball League. The Legends finished off their inaugural season 19-3 and went on to win the IBL 2010 championship.

Albany finished with a 15–7 record in 2011, losing in the IBL semifinals to the Edmonton Energy.

After two seasons in the IBL, the Legends joined the Independent Basketball Association. Albany finished 12–5 in the 2012 spring season, coming up short in the IBA championship game.

In March 2014 the team announced they would be moving to Schenectady County, [1] and compete in the 2014-15 IBA Fall season. The Schenectady Legends played their home games in multiple venues throughout the Mohawk Valley, as a means to increase their local brand and recognition, while raising money for local charities. The team finished a perfect 11–0 in the IBA regular season. [2]

On September 4, 2014, the club announced the hiring of former Siena College player Scott Knapp, [3] as its head coach.

On December 14, 2014, the Legends completed a perfect 13–0 season by defeating the Kenosha Ballers 154–137 in the IBA championship game. [4] Legends player Lloyd Johnson was named the IBA Finals MVP after scoring 61 points in the championship game. [5] [6]

Current roster

Head Coach: Scott Knapp

#Pos.Ht.PlayerAcquiredCollege
3 Flag of the United States.svg G6'0"Lloyd Johnson2010 Schenectady County Community College
5 Flag of the United States.svg G6'4"EJ Gallup2011 Coastal Carolina
8 Flag of the United States.svg G6'0"Shea Bromirski2010 St. Rose College
10 Flag of the United States.svg G6'2"T.J. Czeski2012 Wagner College
11 Flag of the United States.svg G6'1"Brian Ledbetter2014 St. Rose College
15 Flag of the United States.svg G6'1"Kareem Thomas2014 St. Rose College
20 Flag of the United States.svg G6'2"Andy Robinson2014 University of Buffalo
21 Flag of the United States.svg F6'7"Tyrone Butler2014Schenectady High School
23 Flag of the United States.svg F6'5"Zach Bye2012 St. Rose College
24 Flag of the United States.svg F6'5"Sheldon Griffin2012 St. Rose College
32 Flag of the United States.svg C6'7"Anthony Bruin2014 Iona College
33 Flag of the United States.svg F6'8"Clayton Longmire2014 St. Rose College
42 Flag of the United States.svg F7'0"Brad Sheehan2014 Georgia Tech

Notable former players

Kenny Satterfield

Rashaun Freeman

Season results

SeasonWinsLossesWinning PercentageFinishPlayoff WinsPlayoff LossesPlayoff Results
2010193(.864)1st20IBL Champion
2011157(.682)2nd (tie)11IBL Semifinals
2012 Spring125(.706)2nd21IBA Runner-up
2014 Spring11(.500)N/ADNPDNPDNP
2014 Fall110(1.000)1st20IBA Champion
All-time5816(.784)--722 championships

Coaches

#NameTerm [b] GCWLWin%GCWLWin%Achievements
Regular seasonPlayoffs
1Derek Rowland201022193.864220.1000IBL Championship
2Ben Smith2011-2012,201426188.692211.500
3 John Coffino 20121275.583321.667
4Nick Dean2012330.1000000.000
5 Scott Knapp 201411110.1000220.1000IBA Championship
All-Time2010-2014745816.784972.7782 Championships

References

  1. "Legends Announce 2014 Spring Showcase" (PDF). Schenectady Legends. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
  2. "Legends close home schedule with win". The Leader-Herald. 7 December 2014.
  3. "Scott Knapp named head coach of the Schenectady Legends". USbasket. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  4. "Schenectady Legends". Twitter. 14 December 2014.
  5. "IBA Basketball". Twitter. 14 December 2014.
  6. "Knapp goes undefeated in first season as coach". The Daily Gazette. 17 December 2014.