 | |
| Founded | 2013; 11 years ago (2013) |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2016; 8 years ago (2016) |
| League | PBL |
| Division | East 2013–2015 Northeast 2015–2016 |
| Based in | Buffalo, New York |
| Arena | Tapestry Charter School 2013–2015 Burt Flickinger Center 2015–2016 |
| Colors | Red, black, white |
| Owner | Tawan Slaughter |
| Head coach | Tawan Slaughter |
| Captain | Amir Billups 2013–2015 Devon Dawson 2013–2016 |
| Overall record | 25–24 (.510) |
| Playoff berths | 1 (2016) |
| Dancers | 716ers Girls 2013–2015 Lady 716ers 2015–2016 |
| Mascot | Blaze |
The Buffalo 716ers were a basketball team based in Buffalo, New York. The team competed in the Premier Basketball League (PBL) for three seasons between 2013 and 2016 before suspending operations.
History
2012–2013: Franchise acquisition
Tawan Slaughter partnered with Franklin Jackson to purchase an American Basketball Association (ABA) franchise for the city in November 2012 at a cost of $5,000. However, Jackson left the partnership soon after to form the ABA's Buffalo Blue Hawks.
Slaughter paid $3,500 in May 2013 for entry into the Premier Basketball League (PBL). This was the second PBL franchise in city history, following the Buffalo Stampede.
In preparation for her team's first season, Slaughter had them participate in the July 2013 Summer Pro League in Los Angeles. The leading scorer at that showcase was Amir Billups, former Fredonia Blue Devils player and second cousin of Chauncey Billups.
In November 2013, it was announced that Slaughter was launching the Buffalo 716ers for the 2013–14 PBL season. The team takes its name from the 716 area code, widely known as the area code for Buffalo and much of Western New York. Slaughter simultaneously launched a second PBL team, the Erie Hurricane in Erie, Pennsylvania.
2013–2014: Inaugural season
The team's inaugural season began with a 92–108 road loss to the Rochester RazorSharks at Blue Cross Arena on December 31, 2013.
Home games were played at Tapestry Charter School, which the team referred to as The Thunderdome due to its raucous crowds.
Glenroy Carr was named to the 2014 All-PBL Team for his performance during the season. Carr led the team in rebounding, with Kelvin Agee leading in both scoring and assists.
Tawan Slaughter coached her team to an 8–7 record in the East Division, but the club failed to qualify for the playoffs.
2014–2015: Second season and playoff controversy
Team co-captain Amir Billups was killed in a February 2015 car accident. The team retired his jersey prior to their 143–114 home win over the Philadelphia Flight on February 21, 2015.
For the second consecutive year, Glenroy Carr was named to the All-PBL Team for his performance during the 2014–15 season.
After the team finished with a 7–10 record in the East Division, it was originally announced that the club had made the playoffs. However, PBL owners changed the playoff structure after top seed Bloomington Flex was expelled from the league, ending Buffalo's season.
In protest of the league's actions, Tawan Slaughter made plans for her team to join the American Basketball Association for the 2015–16 ABA season. Just prior to the season starting, Slaughter changed course, and the 716ers returned to the Premier Basketball League. The ABA consequently brought suit against the team, claiming Slaughter was in breach of contract.
2015–2016: Final season
Former Buffalo Braves star Ernie DiGregorio was hired as Director of Operations for the 2015–16 PBL season, and to help market tickets for the team's new home venue of Burt Flickinger Center. DiGregorio replaced outgoing general manager Donald Felice, who had left to found the Western New York Thundersnow.
Tawan Slaughter moved the Erie Hurricane to Dunkirk, New York and renamed them to Chautauqua Hurricane for the 2015–16 PBL season.
In their final season, the 716ers finished with an 9–6 record in the Northeast Division and qualified for the playoffs. They were eliminated in the semifinal round by the Rochester RazorSharks.
Tawan Slaughter folded the team after the 2015–16 season and sold the Chautauqua Hurricane to new ownership.
Season-by-season record
| League champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth |
| Season | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head coach | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | — | — | East | 3rd | 8 | 7 | .533 | — | Did not qualify. | Glenroy Carr (All-PBL) | Tawan Slaughter | |
| 2014–15 | — | — | East | 3rd | 7 | 10 | .412 | — | Did not qualify. | Glenroy Carr (All-PBL) | Tawan Slaughter | |
| 2015–16 | — | — | Northeast | 3rd | 9 | 6 | .600 | — | Won quarterfinal (Jackals) 92–87 Lost semifinal (RazorSharks) 88–125 |
Tawan Slaughter |
Game log
2013–2014
Regular season
| 2013–14 game log Total: 8–7 (Home: 2–4; Road: 6–3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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December: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
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January: 1–1 (home: 0–1; road: 1–0)
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February: 1–4 (home: 0–3; road: 1–1)
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March: 6–1 (home: 2–0; road: 4–1)
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2014–2015
Regular season
| 2014–15 game log Total: 7–10 (Home: 5–3; Road: 2–7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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December: 2–2 (home: 2–0; road: 0–2)
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January: 1–4 (home: 1–2; road: 0–2)
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February: 4–2 (home: 2–0; road: 2–2)
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March: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
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2015–2016
Regular season
| 2015–16 game log Total: 9–6 (Home: 5–3; Road: 2–7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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January: 4–0 (home: 3–0; road: 1–0)
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February: 2–3 (home: 1–0; road: 1–3)
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March: 2–2 (home: 1–1; road: 1–1)
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April: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1)
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Playoffs
| 2016 playoff game log Total: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1) | ||||||||||||||||||
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Quarterfinals: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
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Semifinals: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
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References
- ^ McKissic, Rodney (May 10, 2023). "Hoops team owner Slaughter makes nothing but net gains". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- "Buffalo 716ers accept invite to Summer Pro League - INTERVIEW". February 14, 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
- Bronstein, Jonah (August 24, 2013). "Former Starpoint star hopes success at L.A. Summer Pro League leads to NBA". Buffalo News. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "PREMIER BASKETBALL LEAGUE ADDS TEAMS IN NORTHEAST". All Sports WNY. November 26, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- "Former SUNY Fredonia player, Billups, killed". The Bradford Era. February 16, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- Vito, Chris (January 1, 2014). "RazorSharks top Buffalo in opener". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- "Buffalo 716ers Schedule". RealGM. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Premier Basketball League 2014, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. April 16, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- "Buffalo 716ers Stats". RealGM. January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- Athletics, Fredonia State University (February 15, 2015). "Fredonia State University Athletics". Fredonia State University Athletics. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- "716ers honor Billips, win". Buffalo News. February 22, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ "Premier Basketball League 2015, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. May 25, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Sevenonesixers, Buffalo (July 20, 2015). "716ers Join the American Basketball Association". buffalo-716ers. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- "716ers switch leagues". Buffalo News. November 26, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- "Basketball League Says Defections To Rival Flouted Contract". Law360. February 8, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- McNamara, Kevin (October 1, 2015). "Ernie DiGregorio back in basketball with Buffalo 716'ers". The Providence Journal. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- "Thundersnow give up 70 second half points in inaugural game". Niagara Gazette. January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- Gazette, Jamestown (September 8, 2015). "Chautauqua Hurricane Professional Basketball Team". Jamestown Gazette. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Premier Basketball League 2016, News, Teams, Scores, Stats, Standings, Awards". usbasket. April 25, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- "RazorSharks win to advance to PBL Finals". Democrat and Chronicle. April 17, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- "Chautauqua Hurricane optimistic for upcoming PBL season". Observer Today. January 2, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
