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Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009

Lexington getting ABA team

Professional basketball is coming to town in 2009.

According to an announcement Monday by the American Basketball Association, the league is adding an expansion team in Lexington that is scheduled to begin play in November.

The team will be owned by local businessman and University of Kentucky graduate Anthony Chase and will join the Kentucky Bisons as the second ABA squad in the state.

"Lexington has a rich tradition of great basketball fans, and I believe they'll step up to support this team," said Chase, who will be the general manager. "Seeing Kentucky develop the Horsemen and the Legends, I just felt like this was a natural fit."

Lexington's team, which has yet to be named, probably will feature several local players.

Each member of the Bisons played college or high school hoops in Kentucky. Their roster includes former UK point guard Brandon Stockton and former Henry Clay and Georgetown player Aubrey White.

"We want to get local guys who at least played college basketball at Kentucky schools," Chase said.

Tryouts for the team are tentatively scheduled for July.

Players are likely to earn $300 to $400 a game in an inaugural season that will probably include 30 games, according to Chase.

Chase said he and his staff are in negotiations to establish Lexington Catholic High School as the venue for the new team.

"Nothing has been finalized right now, but that's certainly our prime plan," he said.