The Anaheim Amigos history is a short but fascinating chapter in professional basketball. As part of the Anaheim Amigos ABA franchise, the Anaheim Amigos basketball team competed in the league’s inaugural 1967–68 season. Despite financial challenges, they helped introduce exciting ABA-style basketball to California fans and left a lasting legacy in the sport.
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?
Anaheim Amigos Origin
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.
Anaheim Amigos History
The Anaheim Amigos history holds a unique place in American basketball, representing one of the original franchises that helped launch the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967. The Anaheim Amigos basketball team was founded as part of the league’s vision to bring fast-paced, exciting basketball to new markets across the United States. Despite their brief existence, they played an important role in shaping the early years of the ABA.
During their inaugural 1967–68 season, the Anaheim Amigos basketball team competed as one of the eleven founding ABA teams. They played their home games at the Anaheim Convention Center under coach Al Brightman. The team featured players like Ben Warley and Les Selvage, known for his impressive three-point shooting — a new feature introduced by the ABA. However, the Anaheim Amigos ABA franchise faced tough competition and finished the season with a 25–53 record, missing the playoffs.
After just one season in Anaheim, mounting financial losses led to the sale and relocation of the franchise. The team moved to Los Angeles and became the Los Angeles Stars for the 1968–69 season. The transition marked the end of the Anaheim Amigos history, but the franchise continued to evolve and eventually found success as the Utah Stars, one of the ABA’s most prominent teams.
Amigos Achievements
Although the Anaheim Amigos basketball team had a short lifespan, its contribution to the American Basketball Association (ABA) was significant. They were part of the league’s innovative approach to entertainment-focused basketball, helping introduce features like the red, white, and blue ball, and the three-point line.
Memorable Achievement: Laying the ABA Foundation
The most notable achievement in the Anaheim Amigos history was their role as a founding member of the ABA. Without teams like the Anaheim Amigos basketball squad, the league’s creative style and entertainment-driven format might never have gained traction. Their willingness to take financial and competitive risks paved the way for future success stories like the Indiana Pacers and New York Nets.
Though their time was short, the Anaheim Amigos ABA legacy endures as part of the rich foundation that influenced the merger between the ABA and NBA, forever changing the landscape of professional basketball.
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
