Established
1967
City
Houston – Greensboro, Charlotte, Raleigh – St. Louis – Salt Lake City
League History
1967 – 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1976 / Utah Rockies (Never Played a Game)
1974 – 1976 / Spirits of St. Louis
1969 – 1974 / Carolina Cougars
1967 – 1969 / Houston Mavericks
Nickname
Mavericks – The Houston Mavericks have become one of the most popular sports teams in recent years, but many fans may not know the origins of their nickname. The story dates back to when the team began playing in 1987.
At that time, a group of young men from Houston were passionate about basketball and wanted to start their team. They decided to call themselves “Mavericks” after a character from an old Western movie called Maverick (starring James Garner). In this film, Maverick was an independent cowboy who always did things his way and never followed anyone else’s rules – precisely how these young men saw themselves as they created their new basketball team!
From then on, any player or fan associated with the Houston Mavericks has been known as a “Maverick” – someone who stands out among others by being unique and differentiating himself or herself through hard work and dedication. It is also fitting since Texas is home to iconic characters like John Wayne (who starred in numerous Western films), so having such an iconic name for your hometown sports team only adds more pride for all Texans!
Today you can find plenty of merchandise featuring both current players wearing jerseys with "Houston Mavericks" printed across them and classic designs celebrating its roots - making it clear why this beloved franchise has left such a lasting impression over three decades later!
Championship
ABA Championships 0
Arena
*St. Louis*
1974 – 1976 / St. Louis Arena
*North Carolina*
1969 – 1974 / Greensboro Coliseum
1969 – 1974 / Bojangles’ Coliseum
1969 – 1974 / J.S. Dorton Arena (Raleigh)
*Houston*
1967 – 1969 / Sam Houston Coliseum
Owner
1974 – 1976 / Ozzie Silna and Daniel Silna
1969 – 1974 / Southern Sports Corporation
1967 – 1969 / T. C. Morrow
- 1967
-
Houston Mavericks Team Formation
The Mavericks were one of the first ABA franchises, announced on February 2, 1967, when the ABA was formed. They were owned by businessman T. C. Morrow. One of the minority partners was Bud Adams, who owned the Houston Oilers of the American Football League. Houston native and former NBA great Slater Martin was hired as general manager and head ...
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 Mavericks
The Houston Mavericks, presently known as The Spirits of St. Louis, is one of the American Basketball Association (ABA) 's storied teams. Founded in 1967, they were part of the original ABA expansion and quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. During their nine seasons in the ABA, they made four trips to the playoffs, won two division titles, and advanced to conference finals twice. The team was led by legendary players such as Connie Hawkins and Moses Malone, who both had Hall-of-Fame careers after leaving Houston.
In 1975, when it became clear that several teams would not survive financially into the 1976 season due mainly because of competition from NBA franchises for players' services, The Mavericks franchise folded along with five other former ABA teams at that time. Despite this sudden end for many fans across Texas, memories remain strong about those exciting days when professional basketball first came alive through games played by these talented athletes wearing red, white & blue uniforms representing their beloved city -Houston!
Though short-lived compared to other long-standing sports franchises like NFL's Dallas Cowboys or MLB's Astros, there is no denying that during its brief reign over Texas skies, the Houston Mavericks left an indelible mark on local sports culture which still resonates today among diehard basketball fans throughout the state. With the recent rise in popularity around vintage jerseys & apparel celebrating old-school style, it’s safe to say the modern generation has embraced the legacy left behind by this historic team!
Coaches
1976 / Joe Mullaney
1975 / Rod Thorn
1974 – 1975 / Bob MacKinnon
1972 – 1974 / Larry Brown
1971 – 1972 / Tom Meschery
1971 / Jerry Steele
1970 – 1971 / Bones McKinney
1968 – 1969 / Art Becker and Jim Weaver
1967 – 1968 / Slater Martin and Art Becker
*Blue is this team’s history