| Santa Cruz Warriors | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | Western |
| League | NBA G League |
| Founded | 1995 |
| History | Dakota Wizards 1995–2012 IBA: 1995–2001 CBA: 2001–2006 NBA G League: 2006–2012 Santa Cruz Warriors 2012–present |
| Arena | Kaiser Permanente Arena |
| Location | Santa Cruz, California |
| Team colors | Royal blue, California golden yellow, white[1][2] |
| General manager | David Fatoki[3] |
| Head coach | Lainn Wilson |
| Ownership | Golden State Warriors |
| Affiliation | Golden State Warriors |
| Championships | IBA: 1 (2001) CBA: 2 (2002, 2004) D-League/G League: 2 (2007, 2015) |
| Conference titles | CBA: 3 (2002, 2003, 2005) D-League/G League: 1 (2015) |
| Division titles | IBA: 2 (2000, 2001) D-League/G League: 4 (2007, 2008, 2015, 2019) |
| Website | santacruz |
TheSanta Cruz Warriors are an American professionalbasketball team in theNBA G League based inSanta Cruz, California, and are affiliated with theGolden State Warriors. The Warriors play their home games atKaiser Permanente Arena. Prior to the move to Santa Cruz for the 2012–13 season, the team was known as theDakota Wizards. The team has won a championship in each of three leagues it has been a part of, and they are the only NBA G League team to reach the championship in three consecutive seasons.
The Warriors began play in 1995 in theInternational Basketball Association (IBA), and in 2001, withDave Joerger at the helm, they won the IBA championship in the league's final year of operation.[4]
Following the 2000–01 season, the IBA merged with several teams from theContinental Basketball Association (CBA), and in their first year in the new CBA, Joerger and the Wizards won the league title, defeating theRockford Lightning. After making it to the semifinals in the 2002–03 season, the Wizards again won the league title in 2004 over theIdaho Stampede, giving Joerger his third title as the Wizards' head coach.[4]
Joerger left the Wizards following the 2003–04 season, and after his departure, the Wizards made it to the semifinals in 2004–05 then missed the playoffs the following season.[4]
Prior to the 2006–07 season, the Wizards joined theNBA Development League, and Joerger returned to Dakota as head coach. He won his fourth title with the Wizards in their first year in the D-League. In the Championship Game, forwardDarius Rice came off the Wizards bench to put together a record-setting night that led the Wizards to a 129–121 overtime victory over the Colorado 14ers. Rice scored 52 points and made 11 three-pointers, including one with 4.5 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 109. Rice's points and three-point field goal totals set D-League championship game records.[4]
Between 2007–08 and 2009–10, the Wizards made the playoffs every season but were unable to return to the Finals. This was followed by a 2010–11 season that saw the Wizards miss postseason action for the first time since 2006.
On June 28, 2011, theGolden State Warriors, led by Co-Executive Chairmen Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, purchased the Wizards franchise from Bismarck Professional Basketball LLC. The Warriors became the fourth NBA team to own and operate their own NBA D-League affiliate, joining San Antonio, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers.[5]
The Wizards remained in Bismarck during the 2011–12 season, but the Warriors were open to relocating the team to Northern California in 2012. To reflect the new ownership, the Wizards debuted with a new color scheme, the Warriors' blue and gold, used as an alternative to the purple and green, which dates back to their IBA days. The old color scheme was still used with the team's road uniforms, while the blue and gold was used with the home uniforms and the logo. The Wizards were led byEdwin Ubiles in 2011–12, as he helped the team return to the playoffs with a 29–21 record. However, they were unable to move on past the first round following a 2–0 defeat at the hands of theBakersfield Jam.[6]
Following intense off-season discussions regarding a move, on October 10, 2012, the Golden State Warriors announced that the Dakota Wizards would relocate to Santa Cruz beginning with the 2012–13 season. The team was subsequently renamed the Santa Cruz Warriors.[7][8]
In the2012 NBA Development League Draft, the Warriors selectedTravis Leslie with their first pick (13th overall), as Leslie became a star for the team during the 2012–13 season. On December 23, 2012, the Warriors played their first home game at theKaiser Permanente Arena after beginning their campaign with seven-straight road games.[9] With Leslie leading the way alongside teammatesJeremy Tyler andMaurice Baker, the Warriors made it through to the D-League Finals in their first season. However, they were defeated 2–0 by theRio Grande Valley Vipers in the best-of-three series.[10] Highlights from the team include Golden State assigneesKent Bazemore andScott Machado, former NBA playerHilton Armstrong,Most Improved Player recipientCameron Jones, andStefhon Hannah, who wonDefensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row.[11]
Santa Cruz embraced the team during their first season in the city, as the Warriors placed first in the NBA Development League for overall revenue. The team sold $1.2 million in tickets. The average ticket revenue per game, at $52,651, was the highest in the 16-team league. But while the Warriors' ticket prices were the highest in the league – from $15 for bleachers to $140 for courtside seats – popularity was also key to the financial success. The team had the highest average number of individual tickets sold per game at 709, approximately 130 tickets more than its nearest competitor, theMaine Red Claws.[12]
In 2013–14, the Warriors again finished second in the Western Conference – behind theLos Angeles D-Fenders – and despite only the sixth best record in the G-League standings, the Warriors again reached the Finals.[13] However, they were once again outclassed in the best-of-three Finals series, this time losing 2–0 to theFort Wayne Mad Ants.[14] Highlights from the team include the Santa Cruz Warriors' G-LeagueSplash Brothers, withSeth Curry andMychel Thompson emulating their respective brothers playing for Golden State,Stephen Curry andKlay Thompson.[15]
In 2014–15, the Warriors finished with a 35–15 record, good for the best record in the Western Conference. Guard Aaron Craft was named theNBA D League Defensive Player of the Year, leading the league with 2.5 steals per game.[16] The Warriors made it through to the Finals for the third consecutive year and swept theFort Wayne Mad Ants to claim their first G-League championship since 2007, with Finals MVPElliot Williams leading the way with a game-high 23 points in Game 2.[17]
Following their 2015 championship, the Warriors failed to make the postseason in the 2015–16 season after finishing with a 19–31 record. GuardElliot Williams set a Franchise record 48 points in a double overtime victory against theRio Grande Valley Vipers. The Warriors returned to the postseason in 2016–17, following a 31–9 record, but ultimately fell to the Oklahoma City Blue in their first round series, 1–2.
In 2017–18, the Warriors finished with a 23–27 record, missing the postseason for the third time since joining theNBA Development League in the 2006–07 season. Despite missing the playoffs, the Warriors led the league with an efficient 50.1% team field goal percentage.[18]
The Warriors returned strong in the 2018–19 season, finishing first in the Pacific division and earning a trip to the postseason with a 34–16 record. The Warriors defeated theOklahoma City Blue, 117–102, in the conference semifinals before falling to the eventual championRio Grande Valley Vipers, 125–144, in the conference finals.
TheCOVID-19 pandemic would cancel the 2019–20 season and lead to a reduced 2020-21 schedule. All games were played in the NBA G League bubble at theESPN Wide World of Sports Complex atWalt Disney World inBay Lake, Florida. Santa Cruz was one of 18 participating teams and finished 2nd in the league with an 11–4 record. In the postseason, the Warriors defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 110–81, before falling to theLakeland Magic, 96–108, in the conference semifinals.
In the 2021–22 season, theNBA G League returned to a traditional schedule and the Warriors finished with a 15–17 record, narrowly defeating the Austin Spurs in the overtime,118-112, in the final game of the regular season to secure a postseason berth. Following the exciting season conclusion, the Warriors would fall to theSouth Bay Lakers, 123–134, in the conference quarterfinals.
In 2022–2023, the Warriors finished with an 18–14 record, missing the postseason for the first time since the 2017–18 season. On April 4, rookie guardLester Quinones was named theNBA G League Most Improved Player.[19] Quinones was also named to the 2022-23NBA G League All-Rookie Team, averaging 21.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 31 games with Santa Cruz.[20]
In the 2023 NBA G League Winter Showcase, the Warriors scored a franchise high 153 points versus the G League Ignite.[21] The Warriors returned to the postseason in the 2023–24 season finishing with a 20–14 record. The Warriors defeated theSalt Lake City Stars, 113–11, in the first round before falling to theStockton Kings, 109–112, in the conference semifinals. Rookie guardKendric Davis was named to the 2023-24NBA G League All-Rookie Team, averaging 18.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in 34 games with Santa Cruz.[22]
| Season | League | Division/ Conference | Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Postseason results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Wizards | |||||||
| 1995–96 | IBA | 5th | 7 | 17 | .292 | ||
| 1996–97 | IBA | 2nd | 17 | 13 | .567 | Won Semifinals (Magic City) 2–1 Lost IBA Finals (Black Hills) 1–2 | |
| 1997–98 | IBA | West | 3rd | 14 | 20 | .412 | |
| 1998–99 | IBA | West | 5th | 12 | 22 | .353 | |
| 1999–2000 | IBA | West | 1st | 30 | 6 | .833 | Won Division Semifinals (Winnipeg) 2–0 Lost Division Finals (Magic City) 1–3 |
| 2000–01 | IBA | West | 1st | 30 | 10 | .750 | Won Division Semifinals (Magic City) 2–0 Won Division Finals (Saskatchewan) 2–0 Won IBA Finals (Des Moines) 3–2 |
| 2001–02 | CBA | National | 1st | 26 | 14 | .650 | Won Semifinals (Fargo-Moorhead) 3–0 Won CBA Finals (Rockford) 116–109 |
| 2002–03 | CBA | National | 1st | 31 | 17 | .646 | Lost Semifinals (Yakima) 1–3 |
| 2003–04 | CBA | 1st | 34 | 14 | .708 | Won Semifinals (Rockford) 3–1 Won CBA Finals (Idaho) 132–129 | |
| 2004–05 | CBA | Western | 1st | 32 | 16 | .667 | Lost Semifinals (Sioux Falls) 1–3 |
| 2005–06 | CBA | Western | 4th | 19 | 29 | .396 | |
| 2006–07 | D-League | Eastern | 1st | 33 | 17 | .660 | Won Division Finals (Sioux Falls) 115–113 Won D-League Finals (Colorado) 121–129 (OT) |
| 2007–08 | D-League | Central | 1st | 29 | 21 | .580 | Lost First Round (Sioux Falls) 89–101 |
| 2008–09 | D-League | Central | 2nd | 27 | 23 | .540 | Won First Round (Iowa) 114–109 Lost Semifinals (Utah) 93–103 |
| 2009–10 | D-League | Eastern | 3rd | 29 | 21 | .580 | Lost First Round (Austin) 1–2 |
| 2010–11 | D-League | Eastern | 4th | 19 | 31 | .380 | |
| 2011–12 | D-League | Eastern | 2nd | 29 | 21 | .580 | Lost First Round (Bakersfield) 0–2 |
| Santa Cruz Warriors | |||||||
| 2012–13 | D-League | Western | 2nd | 32 | 18 | .640 | Won First Round (Fort Wayne) 2–0 Won Semifinals (Austin) 2–0 Lost D-League Finals (Rio Grande Valley) 0–2 |
| 2013–14 | D-League | Western | 6th | 29 | 21 | .580 | Won First Round (Los Angeles) 2–0 Won Semifinals (Rio Grande Valley) 2–1 Lost D-League Finals (Fort Wayne) 0–2 |
| 2014–15 | D-League | Western | 1st | 35 | 15 | .700 | Won First Round (Oklahoma City) 2–0 Won Semifinals (Austin) 2–1 Won D-League Finals (Fort Wayne) 2–0 |
| 2015–16 | D-League | Pacific | 5th | 19 | 31 | .380 | |
| 2016–17 | D-League | Pacific | 2nd | 31 | 19 | .620 | Lost First Round (Oklahoma City) 1–2 |
| 2017–18 | G League | Pacific | 3rd | 23 | 27 | .460 | |
| 2018–19 | G League | Pacific | 1st | 34 | 16 | .680 | Won Conf. Semifinal (Oklahoma City) 117–102 Lost Conf. Final (Rio Grande Valley) 125–144 |
| 2019–20 | G League | Pacific | 2nd | 21 | 21 | .500 | Season cancelled byCOVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020–21 | G League | 2nd | 11 | 4 | .733 | Won Quarterfinal (Rio Grande Valley) 110–81 Lost Semifinal (Lakeland) 96–108 | |
| 2021–22 | G League | Western | 6th | 15 | 17 | .469 | Lost Quarterfinal (South Bay) 123–134 |
| 2022–23 | G League | Western | 7th | 18 | 14 | .563 | |
| 2023–24 | G League | Western | 4th | 20 | 14 | .588 | Won Quarterfinal (Salt Lake City) 113–111 Lost Semifinal (Stockton) 109–112 |
| 2024–25 | G League | Western | 4th | 20 | 14 | .588 | Lost Quarterfinal (Valley) 127–131 |
| IBA regular season | 110 | 88 | .556 | 1995–2001 | |||
| CBA regular season | 142 | 90 | .612 | 2001–2006 | |||
| D/G League regular season | 439 | 334 | .568 | 2006–present | |||
| Dakota Wizards regular season totals | 418 | 322 | .565 | 1995–2012 | |||
| Santa Cruz Warriors regular season totals | 308 | 231 | .571 | 2012–present | |||
| Regular season total | 726 | 553 | .568 | 1995–present | |||
| Dakota Wizards playoff totals | 27 | 19 | .587 | 1995–2012 | |||
| Santa Cruz Warriors playoff totals | 18 | 13 | .581 | 2012–present | |||
| Playoffs totals | 45 | 32 | .584 | 1995–present | |||
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach Assistant(s)
Legend
Roster |
| # | Head coach | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Achievements | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | Win% | G | W | L | Win% | ||||
| 1 | Duane Ticknor | 1999–2000 2007–2009 | 136 | 86 | 50 | .632 | 9 | 4 | 5 | .444 | |
| 2 | Dave Joerger | 2000–2004 2006–2007 | 226 | 154 | 72 | .681 | 21 | 16 | 5 | .762 | |
| 3 | Rory White | 2009–2011 | 100 | 48 | 52 | .480 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | |
| 4 | Nate Bjorkgren | 2011–2013 | 100 | 61 | 39 | .610 | 8 | 4 | 4 | .500 | |
| 5 | Casey Hill | 2013–2017 | 200 | 114 | 86 | .570 | 17 | 11 | 6 | .647 | NBA D-League champion:2015 |
| 6 | Aaron Miles | 2017–2019 | 100 | 57 | 43 | .570 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | |
| 7 | Kris Weems | 2019–2021 | 57 | 32 | 25 | .561 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | |
| 8 | Seth Cooper | 2021–2023 | 67 | 33 | 34 | .493 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | |
| 9 | Nick Kerr | 2023–present | 68 | 40 | 28 | .588 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | |
| Eastern Conference | |
|---|---|
| Western Conference | |
