Decatur gets Pro Basketball Team

The city of Decatur has most everything its residents need. To the list of shopping, schools, restaurants and bars, one can now add professional sports team–for the summer.

The Decatur Court Kings and the World Basketball Association (WBA) will kick off its 2009 season with home games played at Agnes Scott College. The Court Kings are following up on their 2008 championship season.

Founded in 2002 by Leroy McMath, the WBA was created to generate exposure for players who are trying to make it to the NBA. Players who are seeking a career in basketball outside of the NBA also use the WBA as a stepping stone, according to McMath. Markell King, the current Court Kings head coach, played in the WBA and has played professionally in Lebanon. Basketball players can make $25,000 per month playing abroad, according to King, a healthy stipend for those who don’t make to the NBA.

Players, many of whom attended a tryout camp to make the team, are given a small stipend to play in the WBA. McMath said the business model of the WBA is a low overhead community-driven business. The emphasis is not on paying players lots of money, rather the league tries to help players stay in shape and attract the attention of pro scouts.

Several NBA players have either played or had roles in the league, including Harold Ellis from the Denver Nuggets, Lionel Garrett, a former Harlem Globetrotter, and Jamario Moon, a forward for the Miami Heat. Former Atlanta Hawk Mike Glenn and Josh Powell, who played for the Dallas Mavericks, also had roles in the league. Theo Ratliff, a former Atlanta Hawk, was a WBA team owner and Tree Rollins was a former WBA coach.

Nine teams make up the WBA. Six of the teams are located in Georgia. Others are located in Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida. The season consists of a combined 30 games. Decatur will play 10 games from May 23 until June 28. The first home game takes place June 4. “This is a community team,” said King. “Everyone can’t go downtown to watch the Hawks play, but there’s a professional basketball team playing quality basketball in Decatur.”

Season tickets are $25, $6 for general admission and $10 for VIP.