Jacksonville Giants

Jacksonville Giants
Founded2010
Folded2022
LeagueABA (2010–2022)
Team historyJacksonville Giants (2010–2022)
Based inJacksonville, Florida
ArenaVyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
ColorsNavy Blue, Orange    
OwnerRon Sholes
Head coachJerry "Mouse" Williams
Championships7 (2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
Regional titles3 (2011, 2012, 2013)
DancersGems and Jewels
MascotMr. Biggs

The Jacksonville Giants were a professional minor league basketball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They were the 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 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 VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. In addition to their six 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.

History

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.[1][2]

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.[1]

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.[1][3] The Giants debuted on December 4, 2010, defeating the San Francisco Rumble 182–124.[4] They excelled on the court, going 23–0 in the regular season and advancing to the league playoffs, but were ultimately knocked out.[5] They claimed an average attendance of 2000 in their inaugural season.[6]

2011–2012

The Giants had their 2011–2012 opener on December 3, 2011, defeating the Gulf Coast Flash by 1 point on a buzzer beating 3-pointer by Shooting Guard Currye Todd on an inbound pass from former National Basketball Association player and 1992 US Dream Teamer Christian Laettner. Laettner joined the Giants for all 11 of their home games that season. The Giants played two home games at UNF Arena at the University of North Florida, and played the remaining nine at the Veterans Memorial Arena. The Giants won the 2012 ABA Championship, defeating the South Carolina Warriors 2–0 in a best-of-three series.[7]

2012–2013

Giants finished the season with a 29–1 regular season record and hosted the ABA Final Four tournament. Giants won second ABA Championship in a row, defeating the North Dallas Vandals, from whom they received their only loss of the regular season, 2–0 in a best-of-three series.

2013–2014

Giants finish season with 29–1 record for the second straight season and advanced through the playoffs to the ABA National Championship game for the third straight season. The Giants fell to the Shreveport-Bossier Mavericks 2–0 in a best-of-three series. The first game was lost in overtime and the second was lost on a botched inbound attempt that sealed the game for the Mavericks. The 2013–2014 season saw a lot of positives for the Giants as they broke the ABA Regular Season Attendance record with 8,345 fans in attendance on February 2.

2017–2018

Finishing the season with a 19–1 record the Giants head to the ABA Final Eight in Austin, TX. In Austin, TX the Jacksonville Giants go 3-0 defeating the Steel City Yellow Jackets (125-103), the DMV Warriors (111-102) and the Austin Bats (119-114) to claim the 2018 ABA National Championship title. With this title the Jacksonville Giants complete the three-peat making this their third championship in a row and their fifth overall championship for the city of Jacksonville.

2018–2019

The Jacksonville Giants finish the regular season with a 20–1 record and head to the ABA Final 8 in St. Louis, MO. The Giants take a 129–98 win over the Steel City Yellow Jackets in the first round of playoffs and advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals the Giants take on the Syracuse Stallions and are able to pull off a 149–129 win which advanced them to the 2019 ABA National Championship game. In the championship the Jacksonville Giants get a rematch with the South Florida Gold, the only team to defeat the Jacksonville Giants in the regular season. In the regular season the Gold took down the Giants with only a 5-point lead. In the title game the Jacksonville Giants were able to redeem themselves with a 116–112 win over the South Florida Gold to claim the 2019 title. The 2019 National Championship win makes it the 6th overall title for the Giants and the 4th in a row.

2019–2020

The 2019–2020 season marks the 10th Anniversary of the Jacksonville Giants conception.

2021–2022

Following elimination from the 2021–22 playoffs by the Steel City Yellow Jackets,[8] the Giants ceased operations.

Giants Dance Team

The Jacksonville Giants had the largest ABA dance team. Over 40 girls, ages 13 through 25, danced on two separate teams. The junior (or teenage) dance team was titled the Jacksonville Gems, while the adult dance team wascalled the Jacksonville Jewels.

Television

All Jacksonville Giants home games played in the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena were televised on WCWJ in high-definition. Broadcaster and sports talk radio host Richard Miller formerly hosted the Giants broadcasts starting during Season One in 2010. Arley Johnson and Matt Potak were later featured on the broadcast of the Jacksonville Giants home games.

Radio

All Jacksonville Giants home games aired on WJXL 1010XL. Spencer Luthin (aka Spencer "Balls" Davis) hosted Giants radio since December 6, 2013.

Records and recognition

February 7, 2014 – Most Points Scored in Basketball History – 222 points

February 5, 2012 – Most Points Scored in Basketball History – 211 points

February 1, 2014 – Highest Regular Season Attendance in ABA History – 8,354.

February 19, 2016 - Highest Regular Season Attendance in ABA History – 8,987.

June 1, 2014 – National ABA Charity Award for Outstanding Service to the Community.

2015-2015 Season – ABA Team of the Year, Ron Sholes ABA Owner of the Year, Pam Masters general Manager of the year, Kevin Waters coach of the year

2018-2019 Season – Maurice Mickens received ABA Player of the Year

2011–2012 roster

Jacksonville Giants Season Two 2011–2012 roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F/C 4 Jermaine Bell 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Indian Hills CC
G 3 Anthony Lumpkin 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Southwestern Oklahoma State
F 13 Antonio Lawrence 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) San José State
G 5 Sherod Harris 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 160 lb (73 kg) SUNY–Brockport
G 12 Renaldo Norman 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Edward Waters
F 10 Matt Fields 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Georgia Southern
TBD A.J. Stewart 215 lb (98 kg)
G TBD Anthony Jackson Columbus State
2 Currye Todd Lamar
F 9 Lamar Sanders Lamar
F TBD Emanuel Jackson Stephen F. Austin
TBD Leon Smith
33 Sherard Reddick Savannah State
F 32 Tim Ware 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) Texas State
G 21 Kevin McDonald Savannah State
Head coach
  • Kevin Waters (Fisk)
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: 2010-12-1

2012–2013 roster

Jacksonville Giants Season Three 2012–2013 roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F/C 4 Jermaine Bell 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Indian Hills CC
F 3 Damone Brown 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Syracuse
C 13 Josue Mulamba 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Imperial Valley
G 5 Horton Ed 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Murray State
G 1 Tony Hooper 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Louisiana–Monroe
F 10 Matt Fields 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Georgia Southern
F 9 Freeman Taylor 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Robert Morris
G 3 Anthony Jackson 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Columbus State
F 20 Bernard Rimmer 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) North Georgia
G 2 Currye Todd 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Lamar
G 8 Thomas Kevin 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Murray State
F 21 Jerrod Tucker 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Bellevue
F 33 Eddie Brown 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) Campbell
G 33 Brad Clark 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
C 32 Gertavian Blake 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) Jackson State
Head coach
  • Kevin Waters (Fisk)
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: 2012-12-6

2013–2014 roster

Jacksonville Giants Season Three 2012–2013 roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F/C 4 Jermaine Bell 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Indian Hills CC
F 3 Damone Brown 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Syracuse
C 13 Josue Mulamba 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Imperial Valley
G 5 Horton Ed 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Murray State
G 1 Tony Hooper 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Louisiana–Monroe
F 10 Matt Fields 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Georgia Southern
F 9 Freeman Taylor 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Robert Morris
G 3 Anthony Jackson 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Columbus State
F 20 Bernard Rimmer 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) North Georgia
G 2 Currye Todd 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Lamar
G 8 Thomas Kevin 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Murray State
F 21 Jerrod Tucker 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Bellevue
F 33 Eddie Brown 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) Campbell
G 33 Brad Clark 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
C 32 Gertavian Blake 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) Jackson State
Head coach
  • Kevin Waters (Fisk)
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: 2012-12-6

2018–2019 roster

Jacksonville Giants Season Nine 2018-2019 Roster roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F/C 4 Jermaine Bell 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Indian Hills CC
G 11 Aaron Bowen 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Georgetown
F/C 44 Chris Brown 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg)
G 24 Dylon Cormier 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Loyola (MD)
G 8 Jeremiah Hill 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Valdosta State
G 1 Maurice Mickens 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg)
G 12 Bernard Nugent 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg)
G 10 Miguel Paul 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 178 lb (81 kg) East Carolina
F 21 Jerrod Tucker 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg)
F 13 Juandrico Walker 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 198 lb (90 kg)
F 40 Rodney Rodney 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg)
F 33 Calvin Warner 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg)
G 2 Brenton Williams 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) South Carolina
G 7 RJ Wright 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg)
Head coach
Assistant(s)
  • Marcus Thomas
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster

References

  1. ^ a b c Gurbal, Ashley (November 19, 2010). "Starting Jacksonville Giants a local lawyer's hoop dream". Jacksonville Business Journal. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  2. ^ Elliott, Jeff (October 20, 2010). "ABA pro basketball team coming to Jacksonville". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  3. ^ Richardson, Darcy G. (December 2, 2010). "Pro-Basketball in Jacksonville a 'Giant' Challenge". Jacksonville Observer. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  4. ^ Zima, Mike (December 5, 2010). "Jacksonville Giants romp in overwhelming debut". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  5. ^ Ledman, Gary (December 5, 2010). "Jacksonville Giants want to take it one step further in second season". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  6. ^ Gurbal, Ashley (February 25, 2011). "Giants on the court; not at the gate". Jacksonville Business Journal. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  7. ^ "Jacksonville Giants win ABA championship". The Florida Times-Union. April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  8. ^ "Steel City Yellow Jackets To Meet Team Trouble in ABA Finals". ABA News. The American Basketball Association. April 23, 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023. The Steel City Yellow Jackets defeated the defending ABA Champion Jacksonville Giants, 127-122, to advance to the ABA Finals...
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