Owensboro Colonels Tickets

The Owensboro Colonels were a professional basketball team that played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for only one season, during the 1949-1950 campaign. Although their time in the league was brief, the Colonels left an indelible mark on the sport of basketball and helped pave the way for future teams.

The Owensboro Colonels were founded in 1946 as a member of the National Basketball League (NBL). The NBL was one of the premier professional basketball leagues in the United States at the time, and the Colonels quickly established themselves as contenders. In their first season, they finished with a record of 28-20, good enough for third place in the Eastern Division.

After two successful seasons in the NBL, the Colonels joined the newly-formed NBA for the 1949-1950 season. The team was coached by Buddy Jeannette, a former All-Star player and future Hall of Famer. Jeannette led the team to a record of 19-46, which placed them last in the Western Division.

Despite their poor record, the Owensboro Colonels were notable for several reasons. For one, they were one of the first NBA teams to feature African American players on their roster. This was particularly noteworthy at a time when segregation was still rampant throughout much of the country and many sports teams remained exclusively white.

Additionally, the Colonels were known for their fast-paced, high-scoring style of play. Led by future Hall of Famer Alex Groza and sharpshooter Ralph Beard, the team averaged over 81 points per game, which was among the highest totals in the league that season.

Ultimately, however, the Owensboro Colonels’ time in the NBA was short-lived. Due to financial struggles and low attendance, the team folded after just one season. Many of the players from the team went on to have successful careers elsewhere, with Groza and Beard both winning multiple championships with the dominant Minneapolis Lakers during the early 1950s.

Despite their brief existence, the Owensboro Colonels left a lasting legacy on the sport of basketball. They were pioneers in terms of racial integration and helped pave the way for future NBA teams to embrace diversity and inclusivity. Their exciting style of play also served as an inspiration for generations of basketball players and fans. Although they may be long gone, the Owensboro Colonels will always hold a special place in the annals of basketball history.