 | |
| Founded | 2013; 12 years ago (2013) |
|---|---|
| Folded | 2016; 9 years ago (2016) |
| League | PBL |
| Division | East 2013–2015 Northeast 2015–2016 |
| Based in | Buffalo, New York |
| Arena | Tapestry Charter School 2013–2015 Burt Flickinger Center 2015–2016 |
| Colors | Red, black, white |
| Owner | Tawan Slaughter |
| Head coach | Tawan Slaughter |
| Captain | Amir Billups 2013–2015 Devon Dawson 2013–2016 |
| Overall record | 25–24 (.510) |
| Playoff berths | 1 (2016) |
| Dancers | 716ers Girls 2013–2015 Lady 716ers 2015–2016 |
| Mascot | Blaze |
TheBuffalo 716ers were a basketball team based inBuffalo, New York. The team competed in thePremier Basketball League (PBL) for three seasons between 2013 and 2016 before suspending operations.
Tawan Slaughter partnered with Franklin Jackson to purchase anAmerican Basketball Association (ABA) franchise for the city in November 2012 at a cost of $5,000.[1] However, Jackson left the partnership soon after to form the ABA'sBuffalo Blue Hawks.[1]
Slaughter paid $3,500 in May 2013 for entry into thePremier Basketball League (PBL).[1] This was the second PBL franchise in city history, following theBuffalo Stampede.
In preparation for her team's first season, Slaughter had them participate in the July 2013Summer Pro League in Los Angeles.[2] The leading scorer at that showcase was Amir Billups, formerFredonia Blue Devils player and second cousin ofChauncey Billups.[3]
In November 2013, it was announced that Slaughter was launching the Buffalo 716ers for the 2013–14 PBL season.[4] The team takes its name from the716 area code, widely known as thearea code for Buffalo and much of Western New York.[5] Slaughter simultaneously launched a second PBL team, theErie Hurricane inErie, Pennsylvania.[4]
The team's inaugural season began with a 92–108 road loss to theRochester RazorSharks atBlue Cross Arena on December 31, 2013.[6]
Home games were played atTapestry Charter School, which the team referred to asThe Thunderdome due to its raucous crowds.[7]
Glenroy Carr was named to the 2014 All-PBL Team for his performance during the season.[8] Carr led the team in rebounding, with Kelvin Agee leading in both scoring and assists.[9]
Tawan Slaughter coached her team to an 8–7 record in the East Division, but the club failed to qualify for the playoffs.[8]
Team co-captain Amir Billups was killed in a February 2015 car accident.[10] The teamretired his jersey prior to their 143–114 home win over the Philadelphia Flight on February 21, 2015.[11]
For the second consecutive year, Glenroy Carr was named to the All-PBL Team for his performance during the 2014–15 season.[12]
After the team finished with a 7–10 record in the East Division, it was originally announced that the club had made the playoffs.[12] However, PBL owners changed the playoff structure after top seedBloomington Flex was expelled from the league, ending Buffalo's season.[13]
In protest of the league's actions, Tawan Slaughter made plans for her team to join theAmerican Basketball Association for the2015–16 ABA season.[13] Just prior to the season starting, Slaughter changed course, and the 716ers returned to thePremier Basketball League.[14] The ABA consequently brought suit against the team, claiming Slaughter was in breach of contract.[15]
FormerBuffalo Braves starErnie DiGregorio was hired as Director of Operations for the 2015–16 PBL season, and to help market tickets for the team's new home venue ofBurt Flickinger Center.[16] DiGregorio replaced outgoing general manager Donald Felice, who had left to found theWestern New York Thundersnow.[17]
Tawan Slaughter moved the Erie Hurricane toDunkirk, New York and renamed them toChautauqua Hurricane for the 2015–16 PBL season.[18]
In their final season, the 716ers finished with an 9–6 record in the Northeast Division and qualified for the playoffs.[19] They were eliminated in the semifinal round by theRochester RazorSharks.[20]
Tawan Slaughter folded the team after the 2015–16 season and sold theChautauqua Hurricane to new ownership.[21]
| League champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth |
| Season | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head coach | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | — | — | East | 3rd | 8 | 7 | .533 | — | Did not qualify. | Glenroy Carr (All-PBL) | Tawan Slaughter | [8] |
| 2014–15 | — | — | East | 3rd | 7 | 10 | .412 | — | Did not qualify. | Glenroy Carr (All-PBL) | Tawan Slaughter | [12] |
| 2015–16 | — | — | Northeast | 3rd | 9 | 6 | .600 | — | Won quarterfinal (Jackals) 92–87 Lost semifinal (RazorSharks) 88–125 | Tawan Slaughter | [19] |
| 2013–14 game log Total: 8–7 (Home: 2–4; Road: 6–3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 1–1 (home: 0–1; road: 1–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 1–4 (home: 0–3; road: 1–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 6–1 (home: 2–0; road: 4–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–15 game log Total: 7–10 (Home: 5–3; Road: 2–7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
December: 2–2 (home: 2–0; road: 0–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 1–4 (home: 1–2; road: 0–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 4–2 (home: 2–0; road: 2–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–16 game log Total: 9–6 (Home: 5–3; Road: 2–7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January: 4–0 (home: 3–0; road: 1–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 2–3 (home: 1–0; road: 1–3)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 2–2 (home: 1–1; road: 1–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
April: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 playoff game log Total: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterfinals: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
| ||||||||||||||||||
Semifinals: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
| ||||||||||||||||||
