December 20, 2005 > San Jose Ballers move to Fremont

The San Jose Ballers - a professional basketball team playing in the International Basketball League - announced on Friday that they have changed their name to the Tri City Ballers and are now representing Fremont, Union City and Newark.

Last year was the first year for the (San Jose) Ballers. The Ballers finished 10-10 and boasted the league's top two leading scorers Jovan Harris who averaged an astounding 35.3 points per game and Alejandro Thomas who averaged 28.3 points per game.

Two unique features distinguish the IBL from other professional basketball leagues: First, is their extremely low travel cost. The IBL promises a maximum of one trip requiring air travel. This means that teams will survive and thrive (financially) and IBL teams will be responsible members of their communities. All 17 teams that played in the inaugural 2005 season finished the season. Secondly, they are entertaining games. By allowing only one timeout per quarter and reducing the time between plays with an immediate inbounds, IBL games were fast and entertaining. In 2005 the IBL team scoring average was 127 points per game (two hour games).

The owner, Ivan White is the founder and CEO of Medelex-a medical and industrial diagnostics imaging company in Sunnyvale. He can be contacted at (408) 593-6989.

The first home game will be on April 7 against the Portland Chinooks. Home games will be played at Newark Memorial High School in Newark and/or Logan High School in Union City.

Tryouts will be held on four separate days: Jan. 8 and 22, Feb. 19 and March 5 at the Silliman Center in Newark. If you are interested in joining this team, contact Tri City Ballers at (408) 593-6989 or (408)999-0701.

Tri City Ballers Tryouts
Jan. 8 and 22, Feb. 19 and March 5
11a.m. - 1p.m.
Silliman Community Center
6800 Mowry Ave., Newark.
Cost is $75
GM/Head Coach Ward Farris at (510) 750-5944