Women's American Basketball Association (1984)

Last updated
Women's American Basketball Association
Sport Women's basketball
Founded1984;40 years ago (1984)
First season1984
CeasedDecember 1984
President Bill Byrne
CountryUnited States
Last
champion(s)
Dallas Diamonds (1984)
TV partner(s) Satellite Program Network

The Women's American Basketball Association (WABA) was a women's basketball league founded in 1984 by Bill Byrne [1] that included players such as Nancy Lieberman, Molly Bolin, Pam McGee and Paula McGee. Lieberman, who signed a three-year, $250,000 contract with the Dallas Diamonds, [2] was voted the league's Most Valuable Player after averaging 27 points per game and helping Dallas win the 1984 WABA championship, but the league folded after the season. [3] The final game played was between the Diamonds and the WABA All-Stars, where Lieberman scored 19 points and was named the game's MVP in the Diamonds' 101–94 victory. [4]

Contents

Teams

TeamArenaHead coach
Atlanta CometsCobb ArenaRobert Reese
Chicago Spirit College of DuPage Richard Maack / Vonnie Tomich
Columbus Minks Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum Larry Jones
Dallas Diamonds Moody Coliseum Greg Williams
Houston Shamrocks University of St. Thomas Elvin Hayes
Virginia WaveScoop Arena Nat Frazier [5]

Standings

PosTeamPldWLPFPAPDPts
1 Dallas Diamonds 2119200038
2Columbus Minks1712500024
3Atlanta Comets137600014
4Virginia Wave145900010
5Chicago Spirit2061400012
6Houston Shamrocks173140006
Updated to match(es) played on 15 October 2023. Source: The History of Women's Professional Basketball

List of WABA championships

YearChampionRunner-upResultHost cityGame MVPRef
1984 Dallas Diamonds Chicago Spirit Nancy Lieberman [7]

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References

  1. "Women's League to draft today". The Wichita Eagle . 24 April 1984. p. 26. Retrieved 15 October 2023 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. "Lieberman, Nancy". Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  3. Stan Hovatter Jr. (16 December 1984). "Lieberman working to help Diamonds, league improve". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . p. 16B. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  4. Marjorie Lewis (17 December 1984). "Diamonds defeate WABA all-stars". Fort Worth Star Telegram . p. 6D. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  5. John O'Connor (19 September 1984). "Is world ready for WABA?". Richmond Times-Dispatch . pp. D1, D6. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  6. George Vecsey (30 October 1984). "It's the 'Lady Magic' show". The News Tribune . New York Times. p. C5. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  7. "The History of Women's Professional Basketball". Association for Professional Basketball Research. Retrieved July 3, 2023.