Augusta Groove

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Augusta Groove
Augusta Groove logo
Founded 2005
League ABA 2005-2006

CBA 2007-2008
PBL 2008-present

Team History Charlotte Krunk
2005-2006
Atlanta Krunk
2006
Atlanta Krunk Wolverines
2006-2007
Atlanta Krunk
2007-2008
Augusta Groove 2008-pesent
Arena Cricket Arena
2005-2006
John H. Lewis Gymnasium
2006-2008
TBD, 2008-present
Based in Augusta, Georgia
Team Colors Purple & Orange
Owner Gary Perry
Lavon Mercer
Ricky Brown
Head Coach TBA
Championships 0
Division Titles 0

The Augusta Groove are a team in the Premier Basketball League that previously played in the Continental Basketball Association and the modern American Basketball Association. Formerly, the team was known as the Charlotte Krunk in the ABA, where they played at Charlotte, North Carolina's Cricket Arena, and the Atlanta Krunk of the CBA.

Contents

[edit] History

The franchise began operations in 2005, but was forced to suspend operations between December 2005 and January 2006 when other teams in its division shut down.

Team owner Duane "Spyder-D" Hughes announced the suspension of operations in an emotional letter on the team's website, thanking the city of Charlotte and the businesses that helped his team. In the letter he announced plans for a celebrity basketball game, and youth concert to be held at Cricket Arena.

On August 7, 2006, the team announced they would be moving to the Continental Basketball Association as the Atlanta Krunk. On the 21st, they announced that they would by playing at the John H. Lewis Gymnasium at Morris Brown College.[1] Finally, on the 24th, they announced they would be called the Atlanta Krunk Wolverines in honor of Morris Brown's athletics program, now discontinued. [2]

Prior to the 2007-2008 season, the team changed their name back to Atlanta Krunk.[1] The Krunk also added a majority owner, Freedom Williams.

Next, the owners announced their new head coach, former Georgia Tech and NBA standout Kenny Anderson. As a general manager, the owners and coach selected Vincent Smith, a basketball trainer who is also the brother of TNT basketball analyst Kenny Smith.

The team then revealed that they had signed Grayson Boucher, known as "The Professor" during his days on the And 1 streetball tour. Further, the team added the brother of Stephon Marbury, known as "Zeck" Marbury according to the team's website and the CBA, or "Zech" or "Zach" Marbury from his NBA days.[3][4].

In another announcement prior to the 2006-2007 season, Starbury, Stephon Marbury's clothing company, was revealed as the designer of the Krunk uniforms.[5]

Some footage has also been shot for a reality show about the Atlanta Krunk, featuring owners Freedom Williams, Duane "Spyder D" Hughes, and other team personnel and players.[6] Plans for the release of the show have not yet been announced.

[edit] 2007-2008 Season

The Atlanta Krunk made it through the season with the assistance of new owners. After the John L. Lewis Gymnasium was deemed unsuitable for CBA games, the team finished its schedule on the road. The Krunk ended the year 9-41, including nine forfeit losses.

The season was noted for the lack of payment of players, and an ever-shifting roster after the first month due to financial woes. The Krunk appeared on the road without uniforms, and completed one road trip with just five players.

[edit] 2008-2009

The team was purchased by Gary Perry, Lavon Mercer, and Ricky Brown in the middle of the '07-'08 season, and looked to relocate elsewhere in Georgia. Leading candidates were Columbus (where they would play at the Columbus Civic Center) and Augusta (where the venue would be James Brown Arena at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. Augusta was chosen and the team was renamed the Augusta Groove. [7] However, the James Brown Arena was ruled out as a home.[8]

On June 5, the team announced its move to the Premier Basketball League.[9]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3366830
  2. ^ http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3367917
  3. ^ << Atlanta Krunk Cba Basketball - "Every Game Is A Show!" >>
  4. ^ NY Knicks | In The Paint
  5. ^ << Atlanta Krunk Cba Basketball - "Every Game Is A Show!" >>
  6. ^ << Atlanta Krunk Cba Basketball - "Every Game Is A Show!" >>
  7. ^ Augusta in running for franchise 050708 - The Augusta Chronicle
  8. ^ Byler, Billy (2008-06-07). Groove may be playing at ASU. Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  9. ^ Premier Basketball League Welcomes Augusta Groove. Our Sports Central (2008-06-05). Retrieved on 2008-06-05.

[edit] External links

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