Chris Stephenson Named FBA Player of the Week

Tampa Bay Rebels guard Chris Stephenson has been named Player of the Week by the Florida Basketball Association. Stephenson averaged 26.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1 block as the Rebels won back to back games and remained undefeated. “Chris is doing a good job on both ends of the floor. He can play several positions effectively, however, his leadership skills have been the most important addition to the team,” stated Head Coach / GM Fernando Rojas. Through the first five games of the 2013 season, Stephenson is averaging 22 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. 

Please visit www.tampabayrebels.com to follow Chris and get the latest information on the Tampa Bay Rebels.

Rebels Win 5th Straight

The Tampa Bay Rebels won their 5th straight game with a 127-95 victory over the Palm Beach Knights this past Saturday night at Freedom High School. Both teams played the game at a fast pace. Unlike last weekend, the Rebels started the game playing strong defense and running the floor effectively to take control of the game early on. 

Rebels guard Robert Fuchs continues to improve his game, grabbing 9 rebounds and adding 10 points in the contest. “Rob is becoming a solid defensive player, tonight he took a defensive charge, and his rotation on the defensive end is helping our transition game,” Coach Rojas commented after the game. Center Charles Okwandu had another strong showing with 32 points and 16 rebounds. Guard Stan Bufford also added a double-double of his own with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rebels will hit the road again next weekend when they face-off against the Heartland Prowl in Lake Wales. Please visit www.tampabayrebels.com for additional information.

Police Athletic League Welcomes Rebels

The Tampa Bay Rebels moved their weekly practices to the recently updated Police Athletic League (PAL) facility in Tampa. PAL is a registered non-for profit organization that is dedicated to providing affordable after school, summer, and athletic opportunities to Tampa Bay’s youth. PAL partners with numerous organizations to provide a unique program that consists of crime prevention, crime intervention, mentoring, homework assistance, and self-esteem programs. 

“The entire Staff at PAL has been very supportive by allowing the Rebels practice time in the gym and the use of special areas to watch film in preparation for weekend games. PAL does a fundamental job in our society allowing cultural and educational opportunities for the youth in Tampa. We look forward to being part of this engine of community support. We have already presented one project that can bring benefits to the PAL organization,” GM Fernando Rojas commented.

Next week, the Rebels will return to Freedom high school to continue practices for the remainder of the season.

Rebels Sweep Weekend

The Rebels faced their first road test of the season as they played a back to back series against the Palm Beach Knights. The renovated Knights are loaded with young talent this year. “Coach Spruill Jr. has done a great job revamping the Knights roster. I have no doubt he is going to have a successful season,” Coach Rojas commented.

The first game, on Saturday May 11th, saw the return of Tampa’s point guard Jonathan Brown, who had been sidelined since training camp after suffering a leg injury. When asked about his injury, Brown replied, “My leg feels fine. I’m just glad to be back.”

The Knights started the contest by implementing a half-court press that allowed Palm Beach to play up-tempo basketball, keeping the score close at the half. The game, however, was dominated by Rebels center Charles Okwandu, who patrolled the paint efficiently and finished the game with 27 points, 20 rebounds and 5 blocks. Forward Jamison Clark also contributed 22 points for Tampa Bay as the Rebels pulled out a 128-106 victory. Earl Mills led the Knights with 22 points while Anthony Daniels chipped in 20 in the loss.

The following day, both teams headed back to Inlet Grove High School to face off in the weekend finale. The home team came out of the gate running the floor hard and made consecutive 3-point shots to end the first half 14 points ahead of the visiting team. The Knights’ Germer Kinsey teamed with Earl Mills and Anthony Daniels to score a combined 52 points throughout the game. In the third quarter, however, Tampa Bay made a comeback thanks to outstanding defensive efforts from guards Stan Bufford, Aubrey West, and Jonathan Brown. Rebels shooting guard Robert Fuchs took full advantage of his time on the court, producing 25 points and 5 rebounds. Stan Bufford finished with a double-double adding 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Rebels completed the weekend sweep with a 118-97 victory.

The Rebels, who now stand at 4-0, return to action on Saturday, May 18th as they face the Palm Beach Knights at 7pm at Freedom High School in New Tampa. Children under 13 receive free admission to the game and tickets cost only $10 for those 13 and older. Tickets may be purchased at the gym on the night of the game or at the R●Sole store located within University Square Mall near the USF campus. For additional information, please visit www.tampabayrebels.com.

Rebels Rise Above Flight

The Tampa Bay Rebels won over the Florida Flight 124 – 107 in the second weekend of games for the Florida Basketball Association. Charles Okwandu scored 24 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Stan Bufford contributed with 23 points, 15 of them in the second half. Rebels forward Brant Leitnaker finished with 19 points on 9 for 11 (82%) shooting. With the win, the Rebels improve to 2-0 on the year.

The Flight were led by guard Ernest Jones, who was very active on both ends of the floor and scored 14 points in the first quarter. Forwards Adam Waldo and Corey Williams gave the Flight consistent rebounding and hustle work throughout the game. The loss drops the Flight to 2-1 in 2013.

The Rebels now prepare to hit the road for the first time this season as they face the Palm Beach Knights. The Rebels and Knights will play back to back games on May 11th and May 12th. Please visit www.tampabayrebels.com for more information.

Former Butler Star Shawn Vanzant Joins Rebels

Former Wharton High School and Butler University player Shawn Vanzant has joined the Rebels for the remainder of the 2013 FBA season. Vanzant is just returning to the area after having played the 2012-2013 season with the Springfield Armor of the NBA’s Developmental League where he was averaging over 15 minutes per game before an injury slowed him in the second half of the season.

Vanzant has enjoyed success at all levels of basketball throughout his career. He scored 1,192 points during his career at Wharton High School where he played for coach Tommy Tonelli, and led the team to a 29-2 record and a district championship as a senior. With his high school career over, Vanzant took advantage of the opportunity to play at Butler University, improving each year as the program made 4 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament and back to back appearances in the NCAA National Championship games in 2010 and 2011. He was also named to the 2011 Horizon League All-Tournament Team.

After college, Vanzant embarked on his professional career by playing for Korihait, a team from Finland’s top league, the Korisliiga. Following his time in the Korisliiga, Vanzant also played for Ura Basket from Finland’s First Division before heading back to the U.S. and entering the Developmental League draft. He was selected 62nd overall by the Springfield Armor, an affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, in the 2012 Developmental League draft.

“Shawn is a tremendous young man to coach. He is a winner and will always do whatever necessary to help his team at both ends of the floor. He competes and plays as hard as any player I have ever coached. His success as a player at Wharton and Butler speaks for itself,” stated Wharton Head Coach Tommy Tonelli.

The Tampa Bay Rebels will have Vanzant in uniform as they face the Florida Flight on Sunday, May 5th at Freedom High School in New Tampa. The game will start at 2pm. Tickets are free for children under 13 and are only $10 for those who are 13 and older, and may be purchased at the R●Sole store in University Square Mall or at the gate on the day of the game. Please visit www.tampabayrebels.com for additional information. 

Rebels Prevail in OT Thriller

The Tampa Bay Rebels started the 2013 season with a thrilling overtime victory against the Heartland Prowl, winning 123 – 122. Both teams offered fans the best basketball outside the NBA in this rematch of the 2012 FBA championship game.

Stan Bufford, guard for the Rebels, was hot in the first quarter with 12 points, all from behind the three-point mark. The Rebels pull away by 16 points in the first quarter, but Prowl’s sharpshooter Bryce Kachinski scored 14 points in the half helping the Prowl get back into the game as they trailed 60-50 at the half.

The Prowl made a second-half run with strong play from guard Junior Geidi, who finished with 26 points. As the horn sounded to end regulation, the teams were knotted at 107 points. Prowl power forward Derrell Hendrson finished the night with 12 points and made a crucial play in overtime to keep his team within striking distance. The Rebels, however, would not be denied in the extra period, and squeaked out the 1-point win.

Cornell Young, Head Coach of the Prowl, commented after the game, “It was a very competitive game. Both teams showed the same determination to win. It’s a tough loss, but we will be ready for the next game.”

Rebels’ center Charles Okwandu was a force throughout the game scoring a double – double with 22 points and 15 rebounds while shooting 75% from the free-throw line. As a team, the Rebels had a spectacular game from the free-throw line, shooting 87 percent. Chris Stephenson knocked down all 5 of his attempts, while forward Jamison Clark was a perfect 9 for 9 from the charity stripe.

After the game, Coach Rojas said, “I am glad about the win. We played hard and won against one of the best clubs in the FBA. We had good moments of basketball, but we still need to work on the defensive end.”

The Tampa Bay Rebels will return to action on Sunday, May 5th at Freedom High School in New Tampa as they face the Florida Flight. The game will start at 2pm. Tickets are free for children under 13 and are only $10 for those who are 13 and older, and may be purchased at the R●Sole store in University Square Mall or at the gate on the day of the game. Please visit www.tampabayrebels.com for additional information.

Rebels Sign Florida Southern College Product

The Tampa Bay Rebels have announced the signing of Brant Leitnaker from nearby Florida Southern College. The 6’10” forward/center is expected to help bolster the front line of the Rebels. Prior to his time at Florida Southern, Leitnaker played at Indiana State University, where he also completed his undergraduate degree. 

Since 2007, the Rebels have provided an opportunity for local college players to begin their professional careers. During that time, the team has worked with players from schools across the Tampa Bay region including the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa, Eckerd College, and Florida Southern. “With so many programs of all sizes in our area, local colleges and universities provide a great pool of players for our team. In return, we are able to give players from schools throughout the Tampa Bay area their first taste of basketball at a professional level,” said Andrew Phillips, the Director of Scouting for the Rebels. 

The Rebels will host their season-opener on Saturday, April 27th at 7pm as they face the Heartland Prowl in a rematch of the 2012 Florida Basketball Association championship game. All home games will be played at Freedom High School in New Tampa. Children under 13 receive free admission while those over 13 can purchase tickets for $10 at the R●Sole store located inside the University Square Mall or at the gymnasium on the night of the game.

Tryouts Net NCAA Champion from UConn and UNC-Asheville Product

The Tampa Bay Rebels held tryouts on March 23rd at Freedom High School in New Tampa in preparation for the 2013 Florida Basketball Association season. Players from the Tampa Bay area and other cities across the state of Florida were put through various drills during the 2-hour workout under the instruction of the Rebels’ staff. Following the workouts, the Rebels reached agreements with two players and extended training camp invitations to a handful of other prospects.

The Rebels were able to reach an agreement with Charles Okwandu, a seven-foot center from the University of Connecticut , who will provide the Rebels with a battle-tested big man to anchor the post. Okwandu, who was born in Nigeria, played for legendary coach Jim Calhoun at UConn, and was a key role player for the 2011 National Champion Huskies, scoring 2 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and blocking a shot in the NCAA Championship game. While at UConn, Okwandu played with Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Bobcats and Jeremy Lamb of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Following his time at Connecticut, Okwandu moved on the play for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA’s Developmental League. When asked why the Rebels are a good fit for him, Charles replied, “I want to improve my game. I work hard and am always ready to learn from the coaches and my teammates.”

Chris Stephenson, a 6’3” guard from UNC-Asheville of the Big South Conference, also reached an agreement to play for the Rebels during the 2013 season. A versatile wing player, Stephenson was a key part of the Bulldogs as they reached back to back NCAA Tournaments in 2011 and 2012. A native of Punta Gorda, Florida, Stephenson played in Europe for BC Siaulai in Lithuania in his first pro season. “The Tampa Bay Rebels are a wonderful program,” Stephenson stated. “The Rebels are relatively close to me, so it feels good to play in my home state again. They play in the off-season of the European leagues so it is a great way to stay in shape plus be around athletes that have the same thought process, which is to get better collectively.”

The Rebels will play their season-opener at home on April 27th at 7pm as they face-off against the Heartland Prowl in a rematch of the 2012 championship game. All games will be played at Freedom High School in New Tampa. Children 13 and under receive free admission to the game, while those over 13 can purchase tickets for $10. Tickets can be purchased at R●Sole, located in University Square Mall, during store hours, or you can purchase them at the Freedom High School gymnasium on the night of the game. Please visit www.tampabayrebels.com for the complete schedule and the latest news on the Tampa Bay Rebels.

R•Sole Becomes Official Ticket Distributor

 

The Tampa Bay Rebels have reached an agreement with R•Sole, the premier supplier of urban clothing for men in the Tampa Bay area, to become an official ticket distributor for the 2013 FBA season. Fans wishing to purchase tickets for Tampa Bay Rebels home games may do so by visiting the R•Sole store located within the University Square Mall. Tickets for all home games will be $10 for those over 13 years of age, while kids 13 and under will receive free admission to all games.

Rebels Unveil E-Newsletter

With the 2013 Florida Basketball Association season less than two months away, the Tampa Bay Rebels have announced a new platform to allow fans, business partners, and community members to stay up to date on the latest Tampa Bay Rebels news. Followers of the Tampa Bay Rebels can sign up to receive the team’s E-Newsletter by visiting www.tampabayrebels.com and clicking on the “Subscribe To Our E-Newsletter” link, which is located below the video player on the Rebel’s homepage. Visitors will only need to submit a valid email address to begin receiving the latest news about the Tampa Bay Rebels.

“We are always looking for ways to interact with our fans and our community along with current and potential business partners. The addition of the E-Newsletter provides a valuable avenue for members of those groups to learn more about our organization and develop a relationship with our team,” stated Rebels staff member Andrew Phillips.

The Rebels also maintain a presence on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRebels), Twitter (@tampabayrebels), and LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/tampa-bay-rebels) and invite you to connect with us on all of those platforms as well.

2013 Pre-Season Update

 As the 2013 season approaches, the Tampa Bay Rebels will be adding a new feature for fans who want to receive the latest news from the team. In mid-February, the Tampa Bay Rebels will be launching an E-Newsletter that will include updates about team activities in addition to other articles and interviews. Fans can also “Like” the Rebels on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRebels) and on follow us on Twitter (@tampabayrebels).

 

The Rebels’ staff has spent countless hours this off-season scouting potential players in international leagues, local recreational leagues, and throughout the college ranks. The Rebels will hold open tryouts for prospective players on March 23rd from 11am until 2pm in the open courts behind Freedom High School in New Tampa. The tryouts will be open to any interested player with a non-refundable registration fee of only $20 that must be paid the day of the event.  

Following the tryouts, the Rebels will invite those players who have made the cut to training camp, which will take place in mid-April. “Training camp will be intense. We will be having daily practices over those two weeks as we prepare to defend our 2012 FBA Championship. It will be very important for us to build familiarity with each other so that we have a successful season. We had a solid camp last year and it showed throughout the season,” said AndrewPhillips, the Rebels Director of Scouting.  

While the league schedule has not yet been finalized, the season is expected to begin in late April. Please sign up for our E-Newsletter to ensure you are among the first to know when the Rebels’ 2013 season schedule has been released.

Recap of FBA Owners Meeting in Orlando

On the heels of a successful first season, the Florida Basketball Association held their owners meeting in preparation for the second season of the FBA which will take place over the summer of 2013. The semi-pro basketball league, which includes franchises located in Palm Beach, Lake Wales, Orlando and Tampa Bay, brought owners together to discuss various ways to improve the league. Team owners discussed league expansion, the playoff schedule and format, and the possible addition of an All-Star game.

The Florida Basketball Association welcomed the Palm Beach Knights as the new team for the 2013 season. A new playoff system with a final four tournament that will give more teams the opportunity to win the FBA Championship, regardless of their record during the season was also established by the league. Additionally, the FBA announced that it will host its inaugural All-Star game in July. 

Following the meeting, Tampa Bay Rebels GM Fernando Rojas commented, “The new playoff format and the All-Star game are things that we discussed last year, but the owners agreed to wait until this season to execute this plan. This is an ambitious goal for a two year old league; however, all the owners are behind it. We look forward to another great season of exciting basketball.”

Rebels' Kendrick Signs Contract With Mexican Club



After winning the 2012 Florida Basketball Association Championship (FBA) with the Tampa Bay Rebels, center Matt Kendrick was signed to play in the Liga Estatal de Basquetbol (LEB) in Mexico. Matt will play for the Choriceros de Camargo, located in the State of Chihuahua. This is Matt's second international stint, as he was previously hired by Sokol de Antofagasta of the Chilean professional league.

With the Rebels, the seven-foot Kendrick posted 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks per contest. His best overall performance came June 16, 2012, against the Florida Flight when he posted a triple-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 blocks while hitting 9 of 12 shots from the floor. Coach Rojas commented, "The LEB is a good choice for Matt. He will be able to help his club and keep developing his game."

Rebels Announce 2013 Tryout

Photo Courtesy of JD Pixology

The Tampa Bay Rebels are gearing up to defend their 2012 FBA title in the upcoming Florida Basketball Association season. The Rebels will hold tryouts on Saturday, March 23rd in the open courts of Freedom High School from 11 am until 2 pm. The cost will be $20 at the door, and players must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Local Businesses Partner With Rebels

During the off-season that followed their 2012 FBA Championship, the Tampa Bay Rebels were able to secure partnerships with several businesses in the community. Among the partners for the 2013 season are LA Fitness, R●Sole, and Peabody’s. These companies are well known for both the quality of their products and the services that they provide.

LA Fitness is a nationwide chain of health clubs that will be supporting the Rebels during the team’s training camp in April and throughout the season. R●Sole is the premier supplier of urban clothing for men. Amy Wright, Manager of the Tampa store said, “Many of our existing customers are basketball players from local colleges; we think partnering with the Tampa Bay Rebels is a natural extension of our business.” Peabody’s is a top notch sports bar located in New Tampa offering great food and entertainment since 1998. Initial cross-marketing is underway between Peabody’s and the Rebels advertising each other in their social media outlets.

5 Quick Questions With...Haywoode Workman - NBA Referee

Haywoode Workman is a former NBA player who is now working as a referee for the National Basketball Association.  Haywoode was originally drafted in the second round of the 1989 NBA Draft and played for the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Bullets, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors.  As a member of the Pacers, where he spent the majority of his career, Workman played a key role on some of the most talented Indiana teams in the organization's history, leading the team in assists during the 1993-94 season as the Pacers fell to the Knicks in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

After his playing career was finished, Workman began working to return to the NBA as an official.  As a resident of the Tampa Bay area, Workman took the lead on bringing back the Bay Pro-Am, an NBA Certified summer league that was held in the Tampa Bay area.  As he worked his way through the various levels of basketball, Haywoode also spent time refereeing games in pro-am events across the country and various minor leagues.  He was also the subject of an ESPN article which chronicled his journey back to the NBA as a referee.

The Rebels are glad to call Haywoode Workman a friend and sincerely appreciate him taking some time to provide insight on what it takes to referee the highest level of basketball in the world.

When did you first realize that you were interested in becoming a referee?

Summer of 2002, when I didn’t receive any offers to play basketball in the NBA or overseas, Bob Delaney (retired NBA Referee) asked if I ever thought about officiating.


What path did you have to take to become a referee at the NBA level?

I started by going to Coast to Coast Referee camp that was in Gainesville, FL at the time. I refereed pro-am ball in Los Angeles and worked for one year in the CBA and then was hired into the D-League where I worked for 4.5 years


What type of classroom training and physical conditioning are required of the NBA referees?

 I would say you should find some NBA rule books and become familiar with the rules of the game. Conditioning is different for everyone at the NBA level, but if you’re trying to be an NBA Official I suggest you be in the best shape possible. 


How has being a former player in the NBA, help you as a referee?

It’s all about mutual respect on the court.


Can you provide any advice to individuals who may want to pursue a career as a referee?

Find a league to referee that plays under modified NBA rules and get to know the referees there and they will point you in the right direction or you can register to tryout at the D-League Officials tryout.

Rebels Expand International Network

Tampa Bay Rebels General Manager Fernando Rojas visited Brazil last month to meet with professional teams from the Liga Paulista de Basquete (LPB) and the Novo Basquete de Brazil (NBB) and discuss the timetable and location for the games between the Tampa Bay Rebels and Brazilian teams in 2013. 

"I had the opportunity to meet with Managers and Coaches in Sao Paulo and other neighboring cities. They were very interested in playing the Rebels as part of their preseason program," Coach Rojas commented. Since 2006 Rojas has taken his teams to play in Argentina, Mexico and Cancun for exhibition games against professional foreign clubs. This visit focused on teams from the city of Sao Paulo, Sorocaba, Limeira and Sao Jose dos Campos.

Last April, the Rebels were invited to play against the 2012 Liga de las Americas Champions, Pioneros de Cancun. "Most people don't know, but the Liga de las Americas competition is the best basketball on this side of the world right after the NBA," Fernando said.

Next year the club will defend its 2012 FBA Championship and get ready for their international tour. Coach Rojas explains, "We are going to be very busy starting in January. We are a young club always looking for ways to do basketball from a different angle. International exposure is a key component for undrafted players and something that makes our team standout in the minor league market.”

5 Quick Questions With...Greg Kite - Florida Basketball Association Commissioner

Greg Kite was named as the Commissioner of the Florida Basketball Association prior to the inaugural 2012 season. As a two-time NBA Champion as a member of the Boston Celtics in the early 80’s, Mr. Kite has achieved the ultimate success at the highest level of professional basketball. Mr. Kite also spent four seasons with Orlando Magic during his NBA career and has maintained a presence in the Orlando area since his time with the Magic.

Aside from his basketball experience, Mr. Kite also brings valuable experience from a business perspective to his role as FBA Commissioner. He serves as the Chief Marketing Officer of Global Asset Management Group and also serves as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Gift of Learning Foundation, which is a 501(c)3 that operates a private school in Orlando, Florida. He also holds a variety of licenses related to investments and insurance and is a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate in the State of Florida.

The Rebels would like to thank Mr. Kite for taking the time to participate in 5 Quick Questions with us!

You spent over a decade in the NBA and won a couple of championships with the Boston Celtics...Do you have a favorite memory from your NBA career?

My favorite NBA memory was playing in four NBA Final (84, 85, 85 & 87) and winning two NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics.

In your opinion, are there certain attributes that a player must possess to not only make it to the professional level, but to stick around for a long career?

Character, work ethic and persistence are three valuable qualities that increase the chances of a long NBA career. Size and skill per position are also very important. An undersized player is typically at a disadvantage in the making a NBA roster Players with specialized skills also can fill a valuable role for many years in the league. Taking care of your body with conditioning, rest and nutrition also helps to extend a basketball career.

Obviously, there is life after basketball, and you have become a successful businessman since you retired from the NBA. Are there any skills or lessons that you learned while in the NBA that you have carried over to your business career?

I think having a strong "Why" - a passion for what you do and a strong emotional reason why you do it keeps me going when things are difficult is very important lesson that I learned from basketball. Working hard to achieve goals and seeing the job through are other keys to being successful in business and basketball.

Why did you decide to become involved with the Florida Basketball?

I had been involved with minor league pro basketball in Florida for a couple of seasons. Mark King, owner of the Florida Flight, asked if I would play a role as the FBA was being organized. He presented the idea to the other team owners. They approved and I started helping with the FBA.

What is your vision for the Florida Basketball Association?

My vision for the FBA is that we can offer a quality pro basketball experience for players, coaches, owners, staff, sponsors, media and fans. The first priority is to have a successfully completed inaugural season with all games played and started on schedule. Players will gain experience and exposure for other pro basketball opportunities. I'd also like to have players develop off the court through community service, mentoring, education and career development programs. The FBA can also be a great training ground for coaches and staff as well. And fans can enjoy fast paced, exciting, competitive basketball and interact with the players and coaches beyond the game.

Tampa Hosts FBA Owners Meeting

The Florida Basketball Association held their first owners meeting in Tampa, two weeks after the 2012 season concluded with the Tampa Bay Rebels capturing the FBA Championship.

Two-time NBA Champion and FBA Commissioner Greg Kite, presided over the meeting. Among the items on the agenda were league sponsors, expansion teams, player trade regulations, and business development. The four participating teams, the Palm Beach Titans, the Florida Flight from Orlando, the Heartland Prowl of Lake Wales, and the Tampa Bay Rebels, also discussed, in detail, plans to improve game-day operations and statistical analysis for the 2013 season.

When asked for his assessment of the inaugural FBA season, Commissioner Kite stated, "Having 100% game completion in every participating city speaks clearly of the type of commitment we have to make the FBA succeed. We still have areas of improvement, but the first season was a great first step."

The next scheduled meeting for the owners is set for October 20th in Palm Beach, where the league will announce the date and location of the 2013 FBA All-Star game and discuss potential expansion teams.

Tampa Bay Rebels GM Fernando Rojas commented, "In the minor league circuit, it is very important to measure success the correct way. From a business perspective, all the owners worked together, supporting each other. From a basketball perspective, six FBA players participated in an international tour in the preseason, and, as a result, T.T. Hall from the Palm Beach Titans was hired by a European club and won a championship in the German league. I would say the FBA has a bright future".