Miami Tropics
 | |
| Founded | 2006 |
|---|---|
| League |
ABA 2006-2007 FIBA Americas League 2008 |
| Team history |
Miami Tropics 2006-2008 |
| Based in | Miami, Florida |
| Arena | Health & Sports Center, Barry University |
| Colors | Red, Blue, & White |
| Owner(s) |
Imperiali Organization Art Alvarez |
| Head coach | Ed Auriccio |
| Championships | 0 |
| Division titles | 0 |
| Cheerleaders | Tropigirls |
| Mascot | Tropical tree |
The Miami Tropics was a team in the Premier Basketball League that began to play in 2007 in Miami, Florida. The team was owned by the Imperiali Organization, which also owns the Palm Beach Imperials. They originally played their inaugural season in the American Basketball Association, but moved to the PBL with its creation in early 2007. They also represented the United States in the FIBA Americas League.
The original Miami Tropics played in the United States Basketball League (USBL). In 1987, the Tropics won the USBL title, defeating the Rhode Island Gulls in the championship game. The team boasted the USBL player of the year World B. Free, Mario Elie and Anthony Grant, current head coach at the University of Alabama.
The Tropics were eventually sold to John Lucas who parlayed his USBL coaching experience, and two USBL titles, into a National Basketball Association (NBA) coaching career.