Established
1967
City
Anaheim – Los Angeles – Salt Lake City
League History
1967 – 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1970 – 1975 / Utah Stars
1968 – 1970 / Los Angeles Stars
1967 – 1968 / Anaheim Amigos
Nickname
Amigos – As a sports fan, you may be familiar with the Anaheim Amigos – a professional basketball team based in California. But did you know that their nickname has an interesting origin story?
The name “Amigos” was chosen by owner Don Regan after he heard it being used to refer to the local Hispanic community when visiting his family in Los Angeles. He liked how friendly and welcoming they were, so he used it as the team’s nickname.
Regan also chose orange and purple as the official colors of Anaheim Amigos because they represent Mexico (orange) and South America (purple). This was intended to show respect for all cultures represented within Southern California at that time.
The logo for Anaheim Amigos features two hands shaking each other under a sunburst which is meant to represent the unity between different people from different backgrounds coming together through sport – something we can still appreciate today!
So next time you see an Anaheim Amigo game or merchandise, take some time out and think about the unique history behind its name!
Championship
ABA Championships 0
1971
Arena
*Utah*
1970 – 1975 / Salt Palace
*Los Angeles*
1968 – 1970 / Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
*Anaheim*
1967 – 1968 / Anaheim Convention Center
Owner
1975 / Snellen M. Johnson and Lyle E. Johnson
1974 – 1975 / James A. Collier
1970 – 1975 / Bill Daniels
1968 – 1970 / Jim Kirst
1967 – 1968 / Art Kim
- 1967
-
Amigos Team Formation
The team was founded as the Anaheim Amigos, a charter member of the ABA-based in Anaheim, California. They played at the Anaheim Convention Center. The team’s colors were orange and black. The Anaheim Amigos was founded by Art Kim, a Hawaii native who had long been active in basketball as a player, Amateur Athletic Union administrator, and owner. The Amigos ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Amigos
The Anaheim Amigos, became known as Los Angeles Stars, is one of the most storied teams in professional basketball history. Founded in 1967, they were one of eleven original American Basketball Association (ABA) members. The team moved to Los Angeles and played its second season at Loyola Marymount University's Gersten Pavilion. During their inaugural year, they finished with a record above .500 and made it to the semi-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Oakland Oaks.
In 1968, following a change in ownership, Anaheim Amigos moved from Los Angeles to Orange County, where they began playing home games at Long Beach Arena, alternating with another ABA franchise, The Floridians. Under new management led by owner Don Regan, who had previously been involved with other successful sports franchises such as the San Francisco Seals baseball team and Oakland Raiders football team, the Amigos enjoyed great success during this period, making four consecutive playoff appearances between 1969-1972; however, despite having some talent including future hall-of Famer Connie Hawkins on the roster for the majority that period none them resulted in championship wins or even finals appearance.
Unfortunately, financial issues related to relocation costs combined with weak attendance numbers caused severe economic strain on the organization, ultimately leading to its demise in 1974 when it folded midseason shortly after merging with Miami Floridians and became a "Floridian/Amigo" hybrid squad. While short-lived tenure may have ended end abruptly, day legacy still lives through many former players and coaches associated with the program; those who followed closely throughout the years will never forget what could have been if only circumstances would allow them to reach the heights promised in the early days to of ABA’s inception.
Sports Fan Products
Coaches
1975 / Tom Nissalke
1974 – 1975 / Bucky Buckwalter & Tom Nissalke
1973 – 1974 / Joe Mullaney
1971 – 1973 / LaDell Andersen
1969 – 1971 / Bill Sharman
1967 / Al Brightman/Harry Dinnel
*Blue is this team’s history