- New Mexico Thunderbirds
-
New Mexico Thunderbirds 
Founded 2005 Folded 2011 (relocated to Canton) History Huntsville Flight
2001–2005
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
2005–2010
New Mexico Thunderbirds
2010–2011
Canton Charge
2011-presentArena Santa Ana Star Center City Rio Rancho, New Mexico Team colors Dark Yellow, Black, Gray, White
(New Mexico Thunderbirds - 2010-2011)
Orange, Dark Yellow, Black, White
(Albuquerque Thunderbirds - 2005-2006 through 2009-2010)
Red, Yellow, Navy, White
(Huntsville Flight - 2001-2002 through 2004-2005)
Head coach Darvin Ham Owner Sam & Jackie Bregman Championships 1 2005-06 (as Albuquerque) Division titles 0 Affiliations New Orleans Hornets
Orlando MagicWebsite www.nba.com/dleague/newmexico/ The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional NBA Development League minor league basketball team which played from 2005-2011. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Thunderbirds first played their home games at Tingley Coliseum as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, then played at the Santa Ana Star Center under the New Mexico Thunderbirds name for their final season of 2010-11.
On July 7, 2011, it was announced the Thunderbirds had been purchased by the Cleveland Cavaliers and are moving to Canton, Ohio for the 2011-12 season, where they now play as the Canton Charge. [1]
Contents
Franchise history
See also: Huntsville FlightThe team was formed as the Huntsville Flight and were established in Huntsville, Alabama in 2001 as a founding member of the NBDL, the affiliate minor league of the NBA. The team ended its tenure in Alabama at the conclusion of the 2005 season after finishing 3rd in the overall NBDL standings at 27-21. They became the Albuquerque Thunderbirds the following season. In 2006, the team also won the D-League Championship game over the Fort Worth Flyers in their first year of existence in Albuquerque. They are directly affiliated with NBA teams the Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, and the Phoenix Suns. In the 2006-2007 season, along with the Tulsa 66ers (formerly the Asheville Altitude), the Austin Toros (formerly the Columbus Riverdragons), and the Florida Flame (formerly the Charleston Lowgators), who are not playing for the 2006-2007 season. The Albuquerque Thunderbirds (formerly the Huntsville Flight) are playing in their sixth season in the National Basketball Association Development League.
For the 2010 season, the Thunderbirds moved from Tingley Coliseum to the Santa Ana Star Center and were re-named the New Mexico Thunderbirds. The team was then purchased by the Cleveland Cavaliers and moved to Canton, Ohio, where they are now the Canton Charge.
Season-By-Season
Season Division Regular Season Playoffs Finish Wins Losses Pct. Huntsville Flight 2001–02 5th 26 30 .464 2002–03 8th 22 28 .440 2003–04 3rd 24 22 .522 Won Semifinals (Charleston) 108-100
Lost D-League Finals (Asheville) 108-1062004–05 3rd 27 21 .563 Lost Semifinals (Asheville) 90-86 Albuquerque Thunderbirds 2005–06 2nd 26 22 .542 Won Semifinals (Florida) 80-71
Won D-League Finals (Fort Worth) 119-1082006–07 Western 3rd 24 26 .480 Lost Semifinals (Colorado) 130-100 2007–08 Southwestern 4th 22 28 .440 2008–09 Southwestern 3rd 24 26 .480 2009–10 Western 7th 18 32 .360 New Mexico Thunderbirds 2010–11 Western 9th 20 30 .400 Regular Season Record 233 265 .468 2001–2011 Playoff Record 3 3 .500 2001–2011 Current roster
New Mexico Thunderbirds roster13 
Edwards, Shane 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Arkansas-Little Rock G 21 Giddens, J.R. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) New Mexico F 24 Hubbard, Marcus 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Angelo State G 11 Jalloh, Abdulai 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) James Madison* F 12 Peterson, Jamine 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Providence G 17 Raivio, Nik 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Portland F 42 Sharpe, Walter 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Alabama–Birmingham G 10 Tucker, Dar 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) DePaul - Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (IN) Inactive
- (S) Suspended
- (NBA) Assigned from NBA team
Injured- * High school
Roster • Transactions
Last transaction: January 21, 2011Affiliates
- Cleveland Cavaliers (2006–2007)
- Dallas Mavericks (2008–2010)
- Indiana Pacers (2006–2007)
- Miami Heat (2008–2009)
- New Orleans Hornets (2009–2011)
- Orlando Magic (2010–2011)
- Philadelphia 76ers (2007–2008)
- Phoenix Suns (2005–2008)
- Sacramento Kings (2005–2006)
- Seattle SuperSonics (2005–2006)
- Utah Jazz (2005–2006)
References
External links
Categories:- New Mexico Thunderbirds
- Sports clubs established in 2005
- Sports clubs disestablished in 2011
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
