Established
1946
City
Cleveland
League History
1946 - 1947 / Basketball Association of America
Team History
1946 - 1947 / Cleveland Rebels
Nickname
Rebels - Sports fans in Cleveland are sure to be familiar with their hometown's NBA team's beloved nickname: The Cleveland Rebels. But where did this name come from? In this blog post, we'll explore the origins of The Cleveland Rebels and how it has become such an essential part of sports culture in the city.
The origin story for The Cleveland Rebels started in 1970 when a group of local businessmen purchased an expansion franchise for the National Basketball Association (NBA). They wanted a name that would capture both the spirit and history associated with their new team, so they looked to one particular event from World War II as inspiration – Operation Market Garden. This daring Allied mission involved paratroopers being dropped behind enemy lines into Nazi-occupied Holland in September 1944. It’s said that these brave soldiers were referred to as “rebels” by some Dutch citizens who saw them as heroes fighting against tyranny and oppression – which resonated strongly with many people at home in America too!
The nickname stuck, becoming even more popular following its use on merchandise items like t-shirts or hats sold around town before games began or after wins were celebrated. Over time it became synonymous with basketball and other teams playing out of Quicken Loans Arena, such as hockey's Lake Erie Monsters (now known simply as ‘the Monsters’) - further cementing its place within sports culture locally in Ohio!
Today, no matter what game you attend at Quicken Loans Arena, you will see plenty of supporters wearing apparel adorned proudly displaying 'Cleveland' alongside 'Rebels.' There is now even an official mascot named Rebel Man whose job is to fire up crowds before tipoff each night - genuinely making him one modern-day embodiment embodying all those heroic WWII paratroopers who inspired his namesake decades ago!
Championship
NBA Championships 0
BAA Championship 0
Arena
1946 - 1947 / Cleveland Arena
Owner
1946 – 1947 / Unknown
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
- 1946
- 1946
- 1947
- 1947
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Rebels Team Formation
The Cleveland Rebels were among the 11 teams in the newly established Basketball Association of America. The new basketball league had a distinct advantage over two other established professional basketball leagues, in that it had the backing of major arena owners looking to fill their buildings. Playing at the Cleveland Arena, the Rebels hosted the Toronto Huskies in their first ... -
The Rebels play their first regular season game
In November 1946: The Rebels play their first regular season game, defeating the Toronto Huskies 71-60 at home. The Rebels are led by rookie forward Leo Mogus, who averages 14.3 points per game in his first season. -
Roy Clifford as the head coach
In February 1947: The Rebels fire Dehnert and replace him with Roy Clifford as the head coach. -
The Rebels disband after their only season
In May 1947: The Rebels disband after their only season, along with three other teams from the BAA. Cleveland would not have another NBA team until the Cavaliers joined the league in 1970.
History of the Rebels
The Cleveland Rebels were a professional basketball team that played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1946 to 1947. The team was founded by Al Sutphin, who had been involved with various other teams in the NBA since its inception. They played their home games at Cleveland Arena and finished with an overall record of 8-45 during their two seasons.
Despite their poor performance on the court, the Rebels did make history when they became one of only three teams to sign African American players during this era; Chuck Cooper was signed as part of a multi-team trade, and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton joined them shortly after that. This made them pioneers for racial integration within professional sports leagues, leading to further progress throughout subsequent decades.
Ultimately, however, it wasn't enough for success on or off the court: after just two years in operation due to financial difficulties caused by low attendance rates at games - despite having talented players like Allie McGuire and Otto Graham -the franchise folded before ever making it into post-season play. Despite not achieving much success while active, the legacy left behind by these trailblazers is still remembered today as a crucial moment for inclusion within sports leagues across North America.
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