The Fort Worth Flyers were a minor league basketball team in the NBA Development League (D-League) based in Fort Worth, Texas. They began play in the 2005–06 season and were shut down for the 2007–08 season.

Fort Worth Flyers
Fort Worth Flyers logo
LeagueNBA Development League
Founded2005
Folded2007
HistoryFort Worth Flyers
2005–2007
ArenaFort Worth Convention Center
LocationFort Worth, Texas
Team colorsLight blue, feldspar, brown and navy blue
       
Head coachSidney Moncrief
OwnershipDavid Kahn
Southwest Basketball, LLC
Affiliation(s)Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers
Championships0
Division/Conference titles1 (2005–06)

Franchise history

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In 2005, Southwest Basketball, LLC led by David Kahn was granted permission by the recently rebranded NBA Development League (NBA D-League) to operate four new teams.[1] Southwest Basketball then purchased and relocated three existing franchises while launching one expansion team, the Fort Worth Flyers.[2] The team introduced its logo of a blue capital "F", reminiscent of a biplane, over a basketball.

The team began play in 2005–06 as an expansion franchise with Sam Vincent as coach. They were the D-League's regular season champions, finishing 28–20, but lost the championship game to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds by a score of 119–108. Vincent left after the season and was succeeded by Sidney Moncrief.

The following season, they finished in third place in the Eastern Division with a 29–21 record and lost the Eastern Division semifinal game to the Sioux Falls Skyforce 128–105.

The team did not return for the 2007–08 season as they were not profitable for Southwest Basketball, LLC. There was talk of the Flyers moving to Reno, Nevada, and of the D-League placing another team in Fort Worth, citing their proximity to the Dallas Mavericks.[3] The D-League returned to the metroplex in 2010 with the Texas Legends, affiliated with the Mavericks.

Season-by-season

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Season Division Regular season Playoffs
Finish Wins Losses Pct.
Fort Worth Flyers
2005–06 1st 28 20 .583 Won Semifinals (Roanoke) 87–78
Lost D-League Finals (Albuquerque) 119–108
2006–07 Eastern 3rd 29 21 .580 Lost Semifinals (Sioux Falls) 128–105
Regular season record 57 41 .582
Playoff record 1 2 .333

Notable players

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NBA affiliates

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References

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  1. ^ "Thunder moving 66ers from Tulsa to Oklahoma City". Tulsa World. July 19, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  2. ^ "NBADL homepage with relocation announcements". NBADL. August 1, 2005. Archived from the original on August 1, 2005.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ Fort Worth Star-Telegram [dead link]
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