Jacksonville Giants
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| Founded | 2010 |
|---|---|
| League | ABA (2010–present) |
| Team history | Jacksonville Giants (2010–present) |
| Based in | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Arena | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena |
| Colors | Navy Blue, Orange |
| Owner(s) | Ron Sholes |
| Championships | 4 (2012, 2013, 2016, 2017) |
| Mascot | Mr. Biggs |
The Jacksonville Giants are a professional minor league basketball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were the 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 National Champions of the new American Basketball Association (ABA), which they joined as an expansion team for the 2010–2011 season. They play most home games at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. In addition to their three national championships, the Giants won regional titles in 2011, 2012, and 2013. In 2014, the team was recognized for their off-the-court achievements with the ABA National Charity Award for their work in the Jacksonville community.
In May 2010 the American Basketball Association announced a new franchise based in Jacksonville would join the league for the 2010–2011 season. The name was announced as the Jacksonville Giants in November. The owner was Jacksonville attorney Ron Sholes, while the head coach and general manager was Kevin Waters, who previously owned and coached the Jacksonville Bluewaves of the World Basketball Association.
Jacksonville was home to an earlier ABA team, the Jacksonville Jam. The Jam played in the ABA for the 2006–2007 season before moving to the rival Premier Basketball League in 2008, but folded by the end of the season.
2010–2011
In 2010 owner Sholes stated that he hoped to avoid the fate of the Jam and other minor league basketball teams that have failed in Jacksonville with a more professional marketing strategy. He signed a contract with the city's major indoor venue, the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, to use for home games, and contracted with television and radio stations to broadcast games. The Giants debuted on December 4, 2010, defeating the San Francisco Rumble 182–124. They excelled on the court, going 23–0 in the regular season and advancing to the league playoffs, but were ultimately knocked out. They claimed an average attendance of 2000 in their inaugural season.
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