The Lake Michigan Admirals were a team of the
Premier Basketball League
The Premier Basketball League, often abbreviated to the PBL, is an American professional men's basketball minor league that began play in January 2008. The league folded after the 2017 season. It was announced that the league would be revived un ...
that began play in the
2009-10 season as a member of the
American Basketball Association. The Admirals are the second ABA team based in
Berrien County, Michigan
Berrien County is a county on the south line of Michigan, at the southwestern corner of the state. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 154,316. The county seat is St. Joseph.
Berrien County is included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, MI Me ...
, after the
Benton Harbor-based
Twin City Ballers folded after their only season of 2006-07. The Admirals played 15 home games, 10 in Lake Michigan Catholic High School in
Saint Joseph, Michigan and 5 at Benton Harbor High School in
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, o ...
.
The Admirals are owned by
Chris Glisson, former co-owner of fellow ABA teams the
Smoky Mountain Jam and
Tri-City Racers. Glisson hoped to set up a similar arena for the Admirals in time for the
2019 season but failed to do so. After the team folded, Glisson was arrested in the spring of 2020, while working with the Boys and Girls club for assaulting a student at the high school he was assigned to and subsequently fired from the organization.
The Admirals finished their inaugural
2009-2010 season with 13 wins and 7 losses, with a 122-117 loss to North Division rivals
Chicago Steam in the Division Championship Game. Captain and forward Dominick Melton was named to the ABA East All Star team, with Odgra Bobo, Antonio Griffin and Brandon Ball all honorary mentions in All Star voting.
For the 2012 season, the Admirals joined the
Premier Basketball League
The Premier Basketball League, often abbreviated to the PBL, is an American professional men's basketball minor league that began play in January 2008. The league folded after the 2017 season. It was announced that the league would be revived un ...
.
In October 2014, the Admirals signed Bob Wegner, who at 7'8" has claimed to be the world's tallest professional athlete.
In 2015 and 2016, the Admirals were back to back PBL Midwest Champions.
The focus of the Lake Michigan Admirals is to help prepare players mentally, physically, and spiritually before going to the next level. Owner Chris Glisson has helped 86 players get signed to over 58 different countries since 2009.
History season results
* 2009-2010 (14-6)
* 2010-2011 (22-6)
* 2011-2012 (4-14)
* 2012-2013 (4-11)
* 2013-2014 (6-12)
* 2014-2015 (12-4)
* 2016 (10-8)
Head coaches
*
Michael "Ace" Jackson (2014–present)
*
Jonathan Solomon (2014)
*
Michael "Ace" Jackson (2012-2013)
*
Che' D Eddie (2010–2012)
*
Buck Riley (2009-2010)
*
Mike Ahrens (2009)
*
Buck Riley
2014 roster
Stats for 2014 season
/ref>
2011-12 roster
2010-11 season schedule
References
External links
Lake Michigan Admirals official website
{{Michigan Sports
Former Premier Basketball League teams
Basketball teams in Michigan
Berrien County, Michigan
Basketball teams established in 2009
Defunct American Basketball Association (2000–present) teams
2009 establishments in Michigan