SPOKANE, Wash. – Starting in 2021, the Lilac City Legends will begin their inaugural season playing in the North Region of the Pacific Division of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The team plans to play games on Saturdays and Sundays against opponents, including the Seattle Transformers, the Quad City Flames, and the Idaho Outlaws.
Michael Bethely is the team’s president and is excited about what the Legends can provide to the community.
“We want to honor, encourage, inspire, and create legends within our community,” said Bethely, a Hoopfest 2017 Toyota Shootoff winner himself, who currently lives in Spokane, WA. “We are dedicated to serving the Spokane community through an engaging, entertaining, and enhancing basketball experience.”
“Plus, we want to highlight the value of community and show how it is so much bigger than basketball.”
The Lilac City Legends are among the latest additions to the ABA, which has over 100 teams spread across six divisions.
The ABA was established in 1967 before it merged into the NBA in 1976. The league disbanded but re-launched in 1999 and has been growing as a minor league outlet for players ever since. Some of the past ABA notable players were Julius Irving (Dr. J), George Garvin (The Iceman), Ricky Barry, and Moses Malone, along with many others that came to be NBA players. The ABA still uses a colorful red, white, and blue ball instead of the traditional orange ball.
Paul Butorac, who formally played basketball for Eastern Washington University and professionally abroad, will be the Legend’s head coach.
“We want to use the mutual love for the game of basketball as a change agent for the community,” said Butorac. “The Lilac City Legends will provide a new and fun way for the community to connect.”
With the talent hanging around the area, expect the Legends to put on an entertaining product. In anticipation of expanding the Lilac City Legends team, tryouts will be hosted in January 2021 to expedite the team formation process.
For more information about the team news, future events, and fandom opportunities, as well as sponsorship opportunities for businesses, please see more on the Lilac City Legends website.