Greenville Groove
Greenville Groove logo
LeagueNBA Development League
Founded2001
HistoryGreenville Groove
2001–2003
ArenaBI-LO Center
LocationGreenville, South Carolina
Team colorsGreen and Blue
Head coachMilton Barnes (2001-02)
Tree Rollins (2002-03)
OwnershipCarl Scheer
Affiliation(s)None
Championships1 NBA D-League (2002)

The Greenville Groove were a National Basketball Development League (NBDL) team based in Greenville, South Carolina. Playing their home games at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, the Groove was a charter franchise of the league, which had four teams based in the Carolinas. They were the league champions for the inaugural 2001–02 season but the team folded after the 2002–03 season.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the Groove as one of the NBDL's charter franchises in July 2001.[1] On August 16, 2001, the team announced that Stephanie Ready would serve as the team's lone assistant coach in becoming the first woman to serve as a coach on an all-male professional basketball team.[2] Milton Barnes served as head coach of the first season and won the championship before leaving to become coach of the Harlem Globetrotters.[3] The team had won the inaugural NBDL title in defeating the North Charleston Lowgators two games to zero.[4]

Tree Rollins was tapped to serve as the new head coach. However, the league contracted the franchise in June 2003.[5] Its contraction was carried out by the league due to low attendance and increasing operating losses.[6]

Season by season

Season Finish Wins Losses Pct. Postseason Results
Greenville Groove
2001–02 2nd 36 20 .640 Won Semifinals (Columbus) 2-1
Won D-League Finals (North Charleston) 2-0
2002–03 7th 22 28 .440
Regular season 58 48 .547
Playoffs 4 1 .800

NBA affiliates

References

  1. ^ Staff Reporters (July 17, 2001). "NBDL team names, colors announced". NBA.com: National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  2. ^ Berkow, Ira (August 15, 2001). "Ready for the challenge". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. p. B1. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  3. ^ https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/2002/07/11/rollins-planting-roots-with-greenville-groove-tree-ex-clemson-star-to-coach-nbdl-team/29645229007/
  4. ^ Staff Reporters (April 11, 2002). "Greenville claims first NBDL crown". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. p. D4. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  5. ^ Staff Reporters (June 13, 2003). "NBDL contracts Groove, Revelers". SI.com: Associated Press. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  6. ^ Strelow, Paul (June 13, 2003). "Greenville Groove shuts down". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, SC. p. B4. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
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