Jacksonville Giants: 5 Fast Facts
For anyone who wasn’t already aware, the Giants is one team you don't want to overlook.
The Jacksonville Giants are part of the American Basketball Association, and they're kind of a big deal!
The ABA started out in the late 1960s as a challenge to the NBA, bringing in popular athletes to play in a league that combines the rules of the NBA, NCAA and FIBA. Jacksonville joined the league during its resurgence in 2000. Starting as the Jacksonville Jackals, it wasn’t until the Jacksonville Jam in 2006 that the team began to gain momentum, and eventually evolved into the Jacksonville Giants in 2010. To date, the Giants have maintained a winning streak, and have brought home the ABA National Championship in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2017.
Five reasons (and key athletes) why the Jacksonville Giants should not be overlooked:
- The team is owned by local U.S. Navy Veteran and Attorney, Ron Sholes.
- Head Coach Jerry Williams once played for the Jacksonville Jam, and his brother is one of the Jacksonville Jaguars fan favorites Rashean Mathis.
- Jermaine Bell, who took on the role as the team's starting center, has been with the team since the inception of the Giants in 2010.
- RJ Wright and Bernard Nugent are Jacksonville natives, they both called Jacksonville home and played for local high schools.
- Bruce Brown, a former Globetrotter, was a notable addition to the team, who brings great excitement to the games.
The team's roots run deep, and if not for the team's diverse and outstanding players from near and far, the team would not be what it is today. The Jacksonville Giants will spread the love throughout the community this season by displaying their skills not only at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, but also at UNF and Edward Waters University arenas.
Jacksonville Giants
To date, the Giants have maintained a winning streak, bringing home the ABA National Championship in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2017.
