Founded | 2005 |
---|---|
League |
ABA 2005–2007 PBL 2008–present |
Team history | Rochester RazorSharks 2005–present |
Based in | Rochester, New York |
Arena | Blue Cross Arena |
Colors | Gray, Blue, & Black |
Owner(s) | Dr. Sev Hrywnak |
Head coach | Chris Iversen |
Championships | 7 (2006 ABA, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016 PBL) |
Division titles | 8 (2006 ABA Blue, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 PBL East Division) |
Dancers | LadySharks |
Mascot | Finley |
The Rochester RazorSharks are a professional basketball team based in Rochester, New York. They are members of the Premier Basketball League and play their home games at the Blue Cross Arena in downtown Rochester. The RazorSharks were founded in 2005 as a member of the American Basketball Association. They remained in the ABA until 2007, leaving the league to become founding members of the PBL. The RazorSharks have won seven championships to date – the 2006 ABA championship and PBL titles in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015 & 2016.
The Rochester RazorSharks were founded in 2005 as an American Basketball Association expansion team. The RazorSharks had much success during their first season, as they finished their inaugural regular season at 26–4, ranked #1 in the ABA Pit Bull Power Rankings, and were named as one of ProBasketBallNews.com's Top 10 Minor League teams. They also led the ABA in attendance. Their regular season high was 6,192 against Indiana. Due to their success at the gate, Rochester hosted the 2006 ABA Great Eight Tournament. On March 26, the RazorSharks won the ABA championship, defeating the SoCal Legends 117–114 in front of a then franchise record crowd of 6,377.
The RazorSharks won a league title in their first season, which continued a Rochester basketball tradition: a league title in a team's first season. The Rochester Royals won the 1950–51 National Basketball League championship and the Rochester Zeniths captured the 1978–79 Continental Basketball Association title.
During the team's first off-season, the RazorSharks re-signed head coach Rod Baker. The deal was a two-year contract, keeping the 2005–06 ABA Coach of the Year in Rochester until the end of the 2007–2008 season. Despite the loss of 2006 ABA MVP Chris Carrawell, the RazorSharks reloaded by signing key players such as C/F Mike Mackell and including the mid-season pickup of G/F Ricky Price.