| Augusta Groove | |
|---|---|
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| Leagues | ABA 2005–2006 CBA 2007–2008 |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Folded | 2009 |
| History | Charlotte Krunk 2005–06 Atlanta Krunk 2006 Atlanta Krunk Wolverines 2006–07 Atlanta Krunk 2007–08 Augusta Groove 2008–09 |
| Arena | Cricket Arena 2005–06 John H. Lewis Gymnasium 2006–08 Richmond Academy gymnasium 2008–09 |
| Location | Augusta,Georgia |
| Team colors | Purple & Orange |
| Head coach | Rick Brown |
| Ownership | Gary Perry LaVon Mercer Ricky Brown |
TheAugusta Groove was a team in thePremier Basketball League (PBL) that previously played in theContinental Basketball Association (CBA) and the modernAmerican Basketball Association (ABA). Formerly, the team was known as theCharlotte Krunk in the ABA, where they played atCharlotte, North Carolina'sCricket Arena, and theAtlanta Krunk of the CBA.
The franchise began operations in 2005 as the Charlotte Krunk. It never actually played a game in Charlotte, however. Just before the 2005-06 season, nearly all of the teams in their division shut down, forcing the team to suspend operations between December 2005 and January 2006. Team owner Duane "Spyder-D" Hughes announced the suspension of operations in an emotional letter on the team's website, thanking the city of Charlotte and the businesses that helped his team. In the letter he announced plans for a celebrity basketball game, and youth concert to be held at Cricket Arena.
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On August 7, 2006, the team announced they would be moving to theContinental Basketball Association as theAtlanta Krunk. On the 21st, they announced that they would by playing at theJohn H. Lewis Gymnasium atMorris Brown College.[1] Finally, on the 24th, they announced they would be called the Atlanta Krunk Wolverines in honor of Morris Brown's athletics program, now discontinued.[2]
Prior to the 2007–2008 season, the team changed their name back toAtlanta Krunk.[3] The Krunk also added a majority owner,Freedom Williams.
Next, the owners announced their new head coach, formerGeorgia Tech andNBA standoutKenny Anderson. As a general manager, the owners and coach selected Vincent Smith, a basketball trainer who is also the brother ofTNT basketball analystKenny Smith.
The team then revealed that they had signedGrayson Boucher, known as "The Professor" during his days on theAnd 1 streetball tour. Further, the team added the brother ofStephon Marbury, known as "Zeck" Marbury according to the team's website and the CBA, or "Zech" or "Zach" Marbury from his NBA days.[4][5]
In another announcement prior to the 2006–2007 season,Starbury, Stephon Marbury's clothing company, was revealed as the designer of the Krunk uniforms.[6]
Some footage has also been shot for a reality show about the Atlanta Krunk, featuring owners Freedom Williams, Duane "Spyder D" Hughes, and other team personnel and players.[7] Plans for the release of the show have not yet been announced.
The Atlanta Krunk made it through the season with the assistance of new owners. After the John L. Lewis Gymnasium was deemed unsuitable for CBA games, the team finished its schedule on the road. The Krunk ended the year 9–41, including nine forfeit losses. The season was noted for several missed paychecks, and an ever-shifting roster after the first month due to financial woes. The Krunk appeared on the road without uniforms, and completed one road trip with just five players.
The team was purchased byGary Perry,LaVon Mercer, andRicky Brown in the middle of the '07–'08 season, and looked to relocate elsewhere in Georgia. Leading candidates wereColumbus (where they would play at theColumbus Civic Center) andAugusta (where the venue would be theJames Brown Arena). Augusta was chosen and the team was renamed theAugusta Groove.[8] However, the James Brown Arena was ruled out as a home.[9]
On June 5, 2008, the team announced its move to the Premier Basketball League.[10] and on July 10, the Groove announced they would be playing at theChristenberry Fieldhouse on theAugusta State University campus.[11] This did not hold, as on November 12, they announced they would play in the gym atRichmond Academy.[12] The team finished the year with a .500 record amid controversy about player pay[13] and remuneration for hotel stays.[14]
In an interview on 3 November 2009 that Perry conducted with theAugusta Chronicle, he announced both his affiliation with theContinental Basketball League and the official end of the Groove.[15]
Note: W = wins, L = losses, % = win–loss %
| Season | W | L | % | Playoffs | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Krunk | |||||
| 2005–06 | 0 | 0 | .000 | ||
| Atlanta Krunk | |||||
| 2007–08 | 9 | 41 | .180 | ||
| Augusta Groove | |||||
| 2008–09 | 10 | 10 | .500 | ||
| Totals | 19 | 51 | .271 | ||
