The first North American Basketball League (NABL) was an American professional basketball league that played from 1964 to 1968. The league played four full seasons, until the league folded after the 1967–1968 season.
7-594: The North American Basketball League began play in 1964–1965 with five charter franchises, some of whom had been members of the Midwest Professional Basketball League from 1961 to 1964. The Chicago Bombers, Grand Rapids Tackers, Muskegon Panthers, Pontiac Nationals and Twin City Sailors began play in 1964 as charter members. The Chicago and Grand Rapids franchises had been members of the MWL. In 1965–1966,
14-618: The Eastern Professional Basketball League in a post season championship. Allentown won the game by the score of 128–126. The 1963–1964 Most Valuable Player was Nick Mantis of Grand Rapids. The 1962–1963 First Team: Charlie North, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland; M.C. Burton , Toledo; George Knighton, Dayton; Floyd Campbell, Gary. The 1963–1964 First Team: Nick Mantis , Grand Rapids; Ed Burton , Holland; Willie Lee Bond, Chicago; M.C. Burton, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland. Reggie Harding ,
21-638: The Battle Creek Warriors, Dayton Little Mickeys, East Chicago Bombers, Gary Whips, Terre Haute All–Stars and Toledo Twisters. The Gary Whips had the best league record at 9–4. In 1962–1963, Battle Creek and Terre Haute did not return to Midwest Professional Basketball League play and were replaced by Holland and Grand Rapids franchises. The second season teams were the Chicago Bombers, Dayton Mickeys, Grand Rapids Tackers, Gary Whips, Holland Oilers and Toledo Tartans. The Holland Oilers defeated Toledo for
28-796: The Holland Carvers replaced the Pontiac Nationals and the North American Basketball League remained at five teams. The 1966–1967 North American Basketball League expanded from five to eight teams, adding the Battle Creek Braves, Columbus Comets and Lansing Capitals franchises. In 1967–1968 the North American Basketball League lost the Muskegon Panthers and the Twin City Sailors teams. Pontiac returned to play and
35-608: The MPBL Championship. In 1963–1964, the Midwest Professional Basketball League began the season with five teams and dropped to four, with the season divided into halves. Gary folded after the first half. The five teams to begin the season were the Battle Creek Warriors, Chicago Bombers, Gary Steelers, Grand Rapids Tackers and Holland Oilers. Grand Rapids won both halves and played the Allentown Jets of
42-638: The league played in two divisions. Columbus, Battle Creek, Lansing and Pontiac were the Eastern Division. Chicago, Grand Rapids and Holland comprised the Western Division. Chicago finished last in each of the four seasons, with Grand Rapids taking three of the four league championships. Porter Meriwether (Chicago) led the league in Scoring in the first three seasons, averaging 28.1, 28.3 and 29.9 points. Art Crump (Battle Creek) averaged 29.6 in 1967–68 to lead
49-447: The league. Midwest Professional Basketball League The Midwest Professional Basketball League was a professional American basketball league. The six–team league existed for three seasons, playing from 1961 – 1962 through 1963 – 1964 until the league folded after the 1964 season. The league was composed of six teams per season. The charter members of the Midwest Professional Basketball League in 1961–1962 were
#384615