Salem Capitals

Salem Capitals
Salem Capitals logo
LeagueThe Basketball League
Founded2020
HistorySalem Capitals
2022–
ArenaSalem Armory
LocationSalem, Oregon
Team colors     
Head coachKevin Johnson Jr.
OwnershipJason Conrad
WebsiteOfficial website

The Salem Capitals are an American professional basketball team based out of Salem, Oregon, and a member of The Basketball League (TBL). They play their home games in the Salem Armory, which seats 3,000 for basketball.

History

On December 6, 2020, Evelyn Magley, CEO of The Basketball League (TBL), stated that Salem, Oregon, was approved as a basketball franchise with Jason Conrad the inaugural team owner.[1] The Capitals opted to sit out the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

2023 season

The Capitals began the season 5-7 before winning 10 of the 13 remaining regular season games, finishing with a regular season record of 15-10, good for second place in the Northwest division (within the West conference). They won a thrilling first round playoff game over the Vancouver Volcanoes 117-114[3] before falling to the Seattle SuperHawks during the West Conference Semi-Finals in a best two out of three series.

Player awards

Joseph (Allen) Billinger Jr - TBL All-Star, All West Conference First Team, Averaged 20.2 points and 4.8 assists per game.[4]

Preston Whitfield - All West Conference Third Team, Averaged 19.1 points per game and 43.6% from three point range.[5]

2022 season

On March 4, 2022, the team's inaugural season began with a 116-100 win[6] over the Vancouver Volcanoes. They went on to win their next seven consecutive games before a 127-125 loss[6] to the California Sea-Kings on April 1. They finished the regular-season with a record of 20-7,[6] good for third place in the West Conference. They swept the Vancouver Volcanoes in the First Round of the playoffs and then fell to the California Sea-Kings during the West Conference Semi-Finals in a best two out of three series.[6]

Player awards

Montigo Alford - All West Conference Second Team, Averaged 19.8 points and 4.4 assists per game.[7]

Vincent Bowman - TBL All-Star, All West Conference First Team, Averaged 24.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.[7]

Dominique Lawrence - TBL "Spirit of the Game Award" winner for his commitment to the fans and the community.

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Salem Capitals roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
Head coach
  • United States Kevin Johnson Jr.
Assistant coach(es)
  • United States Beau Rinker
  • United States Taylor Kelly
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured

References

  1. ^ "THE BASKETBALL LEAGUE AWARDS SALEM NEW TEAM". TBL. December 6, 2020.
  2. ^ "A new playbook being used for the return of minor league basketball to Salem". Statesman Journal. 6 June 2021.
  3. ^ hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com https://hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/TBBL/en/competition/35345/match/2278376/boxscore?. Retrieved 2024-12-13. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com https://hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/TBBL/en/competition/35345/person/1800690?. Retrieved 2024-12-13. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com https://hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/TBBL/en/competition/35345/person/1813818?. Retrieved 2024-12-13. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ^ a b c d "TBL Genius Salem Capitals 2022 Schedule". hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  7. ^ a b "TBL Genius Stats". hosted.dcd.shared.geniussports.com. Retrieved 2022-08-06.