skip navigation

2018 CBA Season Preview: Former championship coaches return to thwart Fort Wayne three-peat

03/23/2018, 11:30am CDT
By CBA Staff

This weekend marks not only the beginning of the 2018 Central Basketball Association season, but also the CBA's sixth season of minor league basketball competition in the United States.

With Fort Wayne winning back-to-back championship titles, will the return of two former championship coaches (Bowling Green, Middle Tennessee) and last year's coach of the year (Indianapolis) prevent Fort Wayne from a three-peat? Below are the profiles of the eight organizations competing in the 2018 season. 

2018 CBA Season Preview

Team Name: Jackson Eagles (formerly Mississippi Eagles)

Team Venue: Lane College (545 Lane Ave, Jackson, TN 38301)

First Year in CBA: 2015

2017 Season Record:

·        4-4 Regular Season (2-2 home, 2-2 away)

·        0-1 Postseason (0-1 away)

Organizational History:

·        9-15 Regular Season (5-7 home, 4-8 away)

·        0-2 Postseason (0-2 away)

·        9-17 Overall (5-7 home, 4-10 away)

·        2 playoff appearances (2015, 2017)

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        0-1 record v. Baltimore (0-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        1-4 record v. Bowling Green (1-3 home, 0-1 away)

·        0-2 record v. Fort Wayne (0-0 home, 0-2 away)

·        1-0 record v. Illinois (0-0 home, 1-0 away)

·        0-3 record v. Indianapolis (0-1 home, 0-2 away)

·        1-3 record v. Memphis (1-1 home, 0-2 away)

·        3-2 record v. Middle Tennessee (2-1 home, 1-1 away)

Head CoachJeremy McKinnie returns in his fourth season at the helm for Jackson, having a 9-16 overall head coaching record with two playoff appearances in the last three years for the team.

Players Sent Overseas:  Since 2015, Jackson has had 9 players receive opportunities to play on international soil after playing in the CBA. Furthermore, Jackson has had 6 players also receive opportunities to play in the NBA and the NBA D-League.

Key 2018 Additions: Jackson has a few key players returning from last year’s playoff roster, including forwards LaJarvis Webster (5.7 PPG & 5.7 RPG), Kendrick Coleman (6.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 SPG & 1.2 BPG), and Fredrick Mason (4.1 PPG & 3.9 RPG). They will also feature the addition of 6-foot-6 guard, Ervin Herron II, who played internationally in the NBL-Australia as well as in Bolivia.

Key 2018 Subtractions: Jackson loses key players from last year, including their all-time scoring leader and team most valuable player, guard Anthony Jones (20.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.6 APG & 3.2 SPG). The club also will not have the services of center Jerry Hampton (16.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG & 2.5 BPG), as well as guards Marico Stinson (14.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG & 1.8 SPG) and Gary Love (9.7 PPG & 3.2 RPG). 

Prediction: 2-6 regular season record; miss playoffs for second time in last three seasons.

----------

Team Name: Memphis Rail Runners

Team Venue: JIFF Center (254 S. Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38126)

First Year in CBA: 2016

2016 Season Record:

·        3-5 Regular Season (2-2 home, 1-3 away)

·        0-1 Postseason (0-1 away)

Organizational History:

·        3-5 Regular Season (2-2 home, 1-3 away)

·        0-1 Postseason (0-1 away)

·        3-6 Overall (2-2 home, 1-4 away)

·        1 playoff appearance (2016)

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        0-0 record v. Baltimore (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-2 record v. Bowling Green (0-1 home, 0-1 away)

·        0-0 record v. Fort Wayne (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-0 record v. Illinois (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-0 record v. Indianapolis (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        3-1 record v. Jackson (2-0 home, 1-1 away)

·        0-2 record v. Middle Tennessee (0-1 home, 0-1 away)

Head CoachAlondray Rogers returns back to the sidelines after a one year absence from the league, where she returns to her second season coaching the Memphis Rail Runners, after previously coaching two seasons with the Memphis Soul Kings in 2014 and 2015. She has a 12-18 career record with two career playoff appearances.

Players Sent Overseas:  Memphis has had 9 players receive opportunities to play on international soil after playing in the CBA.   

Key 2018 Additions: Memphis has two key players returning from their 2016 roster, including guards Tavin Cummings (20.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, & 1.8 SPG) and Keith Barron (18.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG & 2.8 APG). Memphis also has newly acquired 6-foot-9 center, Jameel Best, who played tight end for NCAA Division-I Ole Miss.

Key 2018 Subtractions: Memphis has many new faces on this year’s roster, as they have lost five critical pieces from their 2016 playoff team, including guards Myron Strong (19.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.1 APG & 2.1 SPG) and Bobby Jones (13.5 PPG, 6.4 RPG & 1.8 SPG), as well as forwards Jonathan Stevens (10.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG & 1.9 BPG) and Lewis McCaster, Jr. (8.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG), along with center Bouna Niang (7.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG & 1.4 BPG).  

Prediction: 3-5 regular season record; miss playoffs in their return back to the league.

----------

Team Name: Illinois Coal Miners

Team Venue: Schlarman Academy (2112 N. Vermillion St, Danville, IL 61832)

First Year in CBA: 2017

2017 Season Record:

·        4-4 Regular Season (3-1 home, 1-3 away)

Organizational History:

·        4-4 Regular Season (3-1 home, 1-3 away)

·        0-0 Postseason

·        4-4 Overall (3-1 home, 1-3 away)

·        0 playoff appearances

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        1-0 record v. Baltimore (1-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-1 record v. Bowling Green (0-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        1-1 record v. Fort Wayne (1-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        1-1 record v. Indianapolis (1-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        0-1 record v. Jackson (0-1 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-0 record v. Memphis (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        1-0 record v. Middle Tennessee (0-0 home, 1-0 away)

Head CoachKristopher Bell takes over the head coaching duties for John Spezia, who was named the head coach of the Antigua & Barbuda National Team this past offseason. Bell has been elevated from his assistant coaching duties from last season, where he had a 1-1 record as an interim head coach.

Players Sent Overseas:  Since their inception last year, Illinois has had 1 player receive an international opportunity to play on an international soil after playing in the CBA.    

Key 2018 Additions: Illinois has two key returning players from last year in the form of forwards Deavis Johnson (11.0 PPG & 9.0 RPG) and Ayron Worthington (14.9 PPG & 6.4 RPG). Joining the team for the first time will be guard Matt Neaville, who played international basketball in Mexico, as well as 7-foot center, Alex Brown, who played collegiate basketball at NCAA Division-I San Jose State University, averaging nearly two blocked shots per game in college.

Key 2018 Subtractions: Illinois loses last year’s CBA Most Valuable Player in the form of former NBA D-Leaguer, Tyron Criswell (21.6 PPG & 8.5 RPG), who is currently playing overseas in Israel. Illinois also will not have the services of forward Nashorn Maynard (7.8 PPG & 8.2 RPG) who returned back to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts & Nevis this past offseason.

Prediction: 3-5 regular season record; miss playoffs for second consecutive season.

----------

Team Name: Baltimore Shuckers

Team Venue: Annapolis Area Christian School (109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn, MD 21144)

First Year in CBA: 2017

2017 Season Record:

·        3-5 Regular Season (3-1 home, 0-4 away)

Organizational History:

·        3-5 Regular Season (3-1 home, 0-4 away)

·        0-0 Postseason (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        3-5 Overall (3-1 home, 0-4 away)

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        0-1 record v. Bowling Green (0-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        1-2 record v. Fort Wayne (1-1 home, 0-1 away)

·        0-1 record v. Illinois (0-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        0-1 record v. Indianapolis (0-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        1-0 record v. Jackson (1-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-0 record v. Memphis (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        1-0 record v. Middle Tennessee (1-0 home, 0-0 away)

Head CoachLlewellyn Smalley returns for his second season as the head coach for Baltimore. 

Players Sent Overseas:  Since last year, Baltimore has had 3 players receive an opportunity to play on an international soil after playing in the CBA.

Key 2018 Additions: Baltimore brings back forward Kendall Allison (10.8 PPG & 7.0 RPG) along with obtaining former Fort Wayne and NCAA Division-I Chicago State forward, Aaron Williams, who was the first overall selection in the 2017-2018 NBL-Canada Draft, becoming the highest ever draft pick for a CBA player in Canada.  

Key 2018 Subtractions: Baltimore loses four of the best players from last season, in which three will be playing in the Caribbean until at least the end of May: guard Jermaine Bolden (14.0 PPG & 3.6 APG), and forwards Benny Iko (9.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG & 1.3 BPG) and Torey Fassett (20.5 PPG, 10.9 RPG & 2.8 SPG). Baltimore also loses sharpshooting guard, Damarius Cruz (16.9 PPG) who was the league leader in three-point field goals last season.   

Prediction: 4-4 regular season record; miss playoffs for second consecutive season.   

----------

Team Name: Bowling Green Hornets

Team Venue: Logan County High School (2200 Bowling Green Road, Russellville, KY 42276)

First Year in CBA: 2013

2017 Season Record:

·        5-3 Regular Season (3-1 home, 2-2 away)

·        0-1 Postseason (0-1 away)

Organizational History:

·        24-17 Regular Season (16-5 home, 8-12 away)

·        3-3 Postseason (0-0 home, 3-3 away)

·        27-20 Overall (16-5 home, 11-15 away)

·        4 playoff appearances (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017)

·        2 championship game appearances (2013, 2015)

·        1 championship title (2015)

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        1-0 record v. Baltimore (1-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        3-2 record v. Fort Wayne (2-0 home, 1-2 away)

·        1-0 record v. Illinois (1-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-2 record v. Indianapolis (0-1 home, 0-1 away)

·        4-1 record v. Jackson (1-0 home, 3-1 away)

·        2-0 record v. Memphis (1-0 home, 1-0 away)

·        7-8 record v. Middle Tennessee (2-3 home, 5-5 away)

Head CoachNathan Thompson returns back to the sidelines for Bowling Green after a two-year hiatus, where the last time Thompson was coaching the team on a full-time basis, he led Bowling Green to a CBA Championship title in 2015. He currently holds a 13-11 career record with the team, including two championship game appearances, and has coached international competition in Brazil, Canada, and Taiwan.

Players Sent Overseas:  Since 2013, Bowling Green has had 74 players receive an opportunity to play on an international soil after playing in the CBA.   

Key 2018 Additions: Bowling Green brings back three critical players from its CBA Championship team that last played with Coach Nathan Thompson in 2015, including guard Kalen Kimberland (21.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.8 SPG), and forwards Teraes Clemmons (25.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG & 1.2 SPG), and Torrez Hampton (10.1 PPG & 10.7 RPG). Monte Burney (14.6 PPG & 4.9 RPG) also returns from last year’s playoff team.

Key 2018 Subtractions: Bowling Green loses forward Fred Sturdivant who was one of only four players last year to average a double-double in the league (16.1 PPG, 11.6 RPG & 2.6 BPG). The team also loses three double-digit scoring guards in Jared Stephens (13.8 PPG), Chris Kopooshian (12.2 PPG), and Damarius Smith (11.4 PPG).

Prediction: 4-4 regular season record; earns playoff berth as the fourth seed.

----------

Team Name: Indianapolis Blaze

Team Venue: Broad Ripple High School (1115 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220)

First Year in CBA: 2016

2017 Season Record:

·        6-2 Regular Season (4-0 home, 2-2 away)

·        1-1 Postseason (1-1 away)

·        2017 CBA championship game appearance

Organizational History:

·        10-6 Regular Season (6-2 home, 4-4 away)

·        2-2 Postseason (1-1 home, 1-1 away)

·        12-8 Overall (7-3 home, 5-5 away)

·        2 playoff appearances (2016, 2017)

·        1 championship game appearances (2017)

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        1-0 record v. Baltimore (1-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        2-0 record v. Bowling Green (1-0 home, 1-0 away)

·        1-5 record v. Fort Wayne (1-2 home, 0-3 away)

·        1-1 record v. Illinois (1-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        3-0 record v. Jackson (1-0 home, 2-0 away)

·        0-0 record v. Memphis (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-0 record v. Middle Tennessee (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

Head CoachPhillip Washington returns for his second year with Indianapolis after receiving 2017 CBA Coach of the Year honors last year as led his team to the best record in the league during the regular season and their first ever championship game appearance.

Players Sent Overseas:  Since 2016, Indianapolis has had 2 players receive an opportunity to play on an international soil after playing in the CBA.   

Key 2018 Additions: Indianapolis brings back the dominating backcourt duo of former local NCAA Division-I stars, Chrishawn Hopkins (19.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG & 3.9 APG) and Anthony White, Jr. (18.9 PPG & 3.8 RPG) along with forward Dion Smith (8.7 PPG & 6.7 RPG).

Key 2018 Subtractions: Indianapolis loses forward William McClure (13.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, & 3.2 BPG) who was one of only four athletes in the league last year to average a double-double. The team also loses Joe Retic (11.2 PPG & 2.6 APG) who was a critical component of their playoff run late in the season last year.

Prediction: 4-4 regular season record; earns playoff berth as the third seed. 

----------

Team Name: Fort Wayne Flite

Team Venue: Horizon Christian Academy (2000 N. Wells St, Fort Wayne, IN 46808)

First Year in CBA: 2014

2017 Season Record:

·        5-3 Regular Season (4-0 home, 1-3 away)

·        2-0 Postseason (2-0 away)

·        2017 CBA championship title

Organizational History:

·        20-10 Regular Season (15-2 home, 5-8 away)

·        6-2 Postseason (3-1 home, 3-1 away)

·        26-12 Overall (18-3 home, 8-9 away)

·        4 playoff appearances (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

·        3 championship game appearances (2015, 2016, 2017)

·        2 championship titles (2016, 2017)

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        2-1 record v. Baltimore (1-0 home, 1-1 away)

·        2-3 record v. Bowling Green (1-1 home, 1-2 away)

·        1-1 record v. Illinois (1-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        5-1 record v. Indianapolis (2-0 home, 3-1 away)

·        2-0 record v. Jackson (2-0 home, 0-2 away)

·        0-0 record v. Memphis (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        3-3 record v. Middle Tennessee (3-1 home, 0-2 away)

Head Coach: Former NBA D-League player development coach, Rod Wilmont, returns for his fifth season as the head coach of Fort Wayne and as the all-time winningest coach in league history with 26 career victories, as well as the most playoff appearances (4), championship game appearances (3), and championship titles (2).

Players Sent Overseas:  Since 2014, Fort Wayne has had 39 players receive an opportunity to play on an international soil after playing in the CBA.   

Key 2018 Additions: Fort Wayne brings back former league Most Valuable Player, Antonio Cannon (21.4 PPG, 6.4 RPG, & 2.9 APG) who is currently the team’s all-time scoring leader with the potential of becoming the first league player to score 1,000 career points. Joining him will be forwards Wadner Joseph (7.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG & 1.5 SPG) who is the team’s all-time leader in steals and Antonio Wilson (9.3 PPG, 9.2 RPG, & 2.1 BPG) as the team’s all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots.

Key 2018 Subtractions: Fort Wayne loses a pair of guards who helped them win the last two championship titles in Greg Foster (20.0 PPG & 7.0 APG) and Corey Wickware (12.0 PPG & 2.0 SPG), along with a pair of forwards Raymon Austin (11.7 PPG & 7.7 RPG) and Mikel Brigham (12.4 PPG & 8.0 RPG).  

Prediction: 5-3 regular season record; earns playoff berth as the second seed.  

----------

Team Name: Middle Tennessee Storm

Team Venue: Fisk University (1000 17th Ave North, Nashville, TN 37208)

First Year in CBA: 2013

2017 Season Record:

·        1-7 Regular Season (1-3 home, 0-4 away)

Organizational History:

·        22-19 Regular Season (12-9 home, 10-10 away)

·        4-2 Postseason (2-0 home, 2-2 away)

·        26-21 Overall (14-9 home, 12-12 away)

·        3 playoff appearances (2014, 2015, 2016)

·        2 championship game appearances (2014, 2016)

·        1 championship titles (2014)

Matchup History Versus 2018 CBA Teams:

·        0-1 record v. Baltimore (0-0 home, 0-1 away)

·        8-7 record v. Bowling Green (5-5 home, 3-2 away)

·        3-3 record v. Fort Wayne (2-0 home, 1-3 away)

·        0-1 record v. Illinois (0-1 home, 0-0 away)

·        0-0 record v. Indianapolis (0-0 home, 0-0 away)

·        2-3 record v. Jackson (1-1 home, 1-2 away)

·        2-0 record v. Memphis (1-0 home, 1-0 away)

Head Coach: After their worst regular season performance in team history last year, Middle Tennessee brings back head coach Nathan Willhite, who led the team to a championship title in 2014 and is the all-time winningest coach in team history with 17 career victories.

Players Sent Overseas:  Since 2013, Middle Tennessee has had 7 players receive an opportunity to play on an international soil after playing in the CBA.   

Key 2018 Additions: Middle Tennessee brings back much of its core from last year, as well as the 2016 playoff squad with guard Myles Thrash (27.3 PPG & 4.0 APG) returning for his sixth and final season with the team. Guard Marquis Patton (12.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.0 APG & 2.8 SPG) along with forwards Joshua Sain (13.2 PPG & 7.2 RPG) and Roy McFadgon (14.4 PPG & 11.6 RPG) also return for Middle Tennessee; as well as the return of forward Dominique Rouse (14.2 PPG & 5.2 RPG), who was part of their 2014 championship squad.

Key 2018 Subtractions: Three key players will not be on the opening day roster for Middle Tennessee, but each of them is expected to return to the club during the season: guard Lakory Daniels (18.8 PPG & 4.0 RPG) and forwards Torey Pelham (21.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG & 1.5 BPG) and Hunter Harris (9.5 PPG & 9.0 BPG)  

Prediction: 6-2 regular season record; earns playoff berth as the top seed.  

----------

2018 Projected Standings:

1. Middle Tennessee 6-2

2. Fort Wayne 5-3

3. Indianapolis 4-4

4. Bowling Green 4-4

5. Baltimore 3-5

6. Illinois 3-5

7. Memphis 3-5

8. Jackson 2-6

----------

2018 Projected Playoffs:

Semifinals:

(1) Middle Tennessee defeats (4) Bowling Green

(3) Indianapolis defeats (2) Fort Wayne

Championship:

(1) Middle Tennessee defeats (3) Indianapolis

 

The Central Basketball Association, founded in 2013, has served as a platform for advancing the careers of aspiring basketball athletes across the nation. With over 500 former NCAA players competing in the CBA in the last six seasons, the CBA has proven to be a stepping stone for athletes, as over 200 players have had the opportunity to play on international soil after competing in the CBA. 

Tag(s): Home  News  Teams  Baltimore Shuckers  Bowling Green Hornets  Fort Wayne Flite  Indianapolis Blaze  Middle Tennessee Storm  Jackson Eagles  Memphis Rail Runners