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Dallas Diamonds (basketball)
The Dallas Diamonds were an American women's professional basketball team. They played in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL), the first women's professional basketball team in the United States, from 1979 to 1981 and later in the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA) in 1984.
The star of both incarnations of the team was Nancy Lieberman, an Olympic medalist and former All-American.
The Diamonds were an expansion team for the 1979–80 WBL season, along with the California Dream, New Orleans Pride, Philadelphia Fox, San Francisco Pioneers, St. Louis Streak, and the Washington Metros.
The Diamonds owner, Judson Phillips, hired legendary women's basketball coach, Dean Weese, of the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens. They also secured radio rights for their games with KAAM of Dallas. These games were broadcast by Eric Nadel, who later became the voice of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
In the 1979 Draft the Diamonds selected: Alfredda Abernathy (1st), Valerie Goodwin (2nd), Christy Earnhardt (3rd), Sharon McClanahan (4th), Heidi Nolte (5th), Cindy Bruton (6th), Joanette Boutte (7th), Diann Nestle (8th), Deneice Gray (9th), and Beth Anman (10th). Several of these players were former Wayland Baptist stars under Dean Weese.
The 1979-80 season began 11/23/79 with a loss against New Orleans 106-93. Returning to the Dallas Convention Center the Diamonds beat California 116-100 to even their record at 1-1. They then lost their next 7 in a row. By the end of 1979 their record was 3-11.
The Diamonds biggest victory was over the New York Stars (28-7), who would become the WBL Champions for the 1979–1980 season. The 115-100 home victory would be the last Diamonds victory this season as they ended the year with an 11-game losing streak. When the losing streak reached 5 games (7-22), Dean Weese was relieved of his coaching duties in favor of Ray Scott. The team under Coach Scott lost their last 6 games to end the year 7-28.
From a statistical standpoint Alfredda Abernathy (Alabama State) had a phenomenal year as she averaged 27.0 points and 14.3 rebounds per game. As a team the Diamonds were 7-11 at home and 0-17 on the road. The Diamonds added new ownership during the season as Dallas real estate investor Mike Staver took over the team. Mike Staver, along with General Manager Nancy Nichols, began a search to improve the team. They hired Houston Angels' assistant coach Greg Williams as their new coach. Greg was instrumental in the Angels winning the 1st WBL Championship in 1978–1979. The Angels were also a playoff team in 79-80 as well.
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Dallas Diamonds (basketball)
The Dallas Diamonds were an American women's professional basketball team. They played in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL), the first women's professional basketball team in the United States, from 1979 to 1981 and later in the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA) in 1984.
The star of both incarnations of the team was Nancy Lieberman, an Olympic medalist and former All-American.
The Diamonds were an expansion team for the 1979–80 WBL season, along with the California Dream, New Orleans Pride, Philadelphia Fox, San Francisco Pioneers, St. Louis Streak, and the Washington Metros.
The Diamonds owner, Judson Phillips, hired legendary women's basketball coach, Dean Weese, of the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens. They also secured radio rights for their games with KAAM of Dallas. These games were broadcast by Eric Nadel, who later became the voice of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
In the 1979 Draft the Diamonds selected: Alfredda Abernathy (1st), Valerie Goodwin (2nd), Christy Earnhardt (3rd), Sharon McClanahan (4th), Heidi Nolte (5th), Cindy Bruton (6th), Joanette Boutte (7th), Diann Nestle (8th), Deneice Gray (9th), and Beth Anman (10th). Several of these players were former Wayland Baptist stars under Dean Weese.
The 1979-80 season began 11/23/79 with a loss against New Orleans 106-93. Returning to the Dallas Convention Center the Diamonds beat California 116-100 to even their record at 1-1. They then lost their next 7 in a row. By the end of 1979 their record was 3-11.
The Diamonds biggest victory was over the New York Stars (28-7), who would become the WBL Champions for the 1979–1980 season. The 115-100 home victory would be the last Diamonds victory this season as they ended the year with an 11-game losing streak. When the losing streak reached 5 games (7-22), Dean Weese was relieved of his coaching duties in favor of Ray Scott. The team under Coach Scott lost their last 6 games to end the year 7-28.
From a statistical standpoint Alfredda Abernathy (Alabama State) had a phenomenal year as she averaged 27.0 points and 14.3 rebounds per game. As a team the Diamonds were 7-11 at home and 0-17 on the road. The Diamonds added new ownership during the season as Dallas real estate investor Mike Staver took over the team. Mike Staver, along with General Manager Nancy Nichols, began a search to improve the team. They hired Houston Angels' assistant coach Greg Williams as their new coach. Greg was instrumental in the Angels winning the 1st WBL Championship in 1978–1979. The Angels were also a playoff team in 79-80 as well.