The New Jersey Americans history is a vital part of professional basketball’s growth. Founded in 1967, this short-lived ABA team later became the New York Nets. Known for laying the groundwork for New Jersey Americans basketball, the franchise helped shape the path to championships and NBA success in the years that followed.
Established
1967
City
New Jersey - New York - New Jersey - Brooklyn
League History
1976 - Present / National Basketball Association
1967 - 1976 / American Basketball Association
Team History
2012 - Present / Brooklyn Nets
1977 - 2012 / New Jersey Nets
1968 - 1977 / New York Nets
1967 - 1968 / New Jersey Americans
Nickname
Americans - Sports fans have long been fascinated by the origins of their favorite teams’ nicknames, and the New Jersey Americans are no exception. The NBA franchise was founded in 1967 as an American Basketball Association (ABA) member. At that time, two other professional basketball leagues existed – the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL). As such, it made sense to adopt a name representing all three leagues: “Americans.”
New Jersey Americans Origin
The nickname also paid homage to New Jersey's rich history as one of America's original 13 colonies. The state has had many famous historical figures associated with it over its centuries; among them are founding fathers Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, President Grover Cleveland, inventor Thomas Edison, and industrialist John D Rockefeller Jr., to name a few. It is fitting then that such an iconic team would take on this moniker which honors its home state's illustrious past and its place within US professional sports history at large.
In addition to being rooted in local pride for their home state, the "Americans" nickname was also chosen because it served another purpose - helping distinguish itself from other ABA franchises who took up more traditional monikers like "Jets," "Colonels" or even something more outlandish like "Conquistadors." By choosing something simple yet meaningful - much like how they chose colors red, white & blue for their uniforms - they created an identity that could easily be recognized by fans everywhere while still allowing them to stand out from competitors.
Ultimately, this decision proved successful; after merging with NBA following the 1975 season, New Jersey Americans became known simply as ' Nets,' but the legacy left behind continues live on today through stories passed down generation after generation about why the team initially chose to call themselves ' Americans.'
Championship
NBA Championships 0
ABA Championships 0
1976, 1974
Arena
2012 - Present / Barclays Center
*New Jersey*
2010 - 2012 / Prudential Center
1981 - 2010 / Izod Center
1977 - 1981 / Rutgers Athletic Center
*New York*
1972 - 1977 / Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
1969 - 1972 / Island Garden
1968 - 1969 / Long Island Arena
*New Jersey*
1967 - 1968 / Teaneck Armory
Owner
2010 - Present / Mikhail Prokhorov
2003 - 2010 / Bruce Ratner
1999 - 2003 / YankeeNets
1998 - 1999 / Raymond Chambers and Lewis Katz
1978 - 1998 / Secaucus Seven
1969 - 1978 / Roy Boe
1967 - 1969 / Arthur Brown
- 1967
- 1968
-
New Jersey Americans Formation
Initially looking to play in New York, but blocked by the Knicks, the Americans’ first season was played in a converted armory in Teaneck, New Jersey. The Americans took the floor on October 23rd against the Pittsburgh Pipers in front of 3,000 fans with a group of semi-pro players as a new league known as the American Basketball Association tried ... -
Move to New York and Nickname Change
After a planned move to Newark, New Jersey fell through the team opted to stay at the Long Island Arena for the second year, and changed its name to the New York Nets. The name “Nets” was used because it rhymes with the names of two other professional sports teams that played in the New York metropolitan area at the time: ...
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.
New Jersey Americans History
The New Jersey Americans history began in 1967 when the franchise joined the newly formed American Basketball Association (ABA). This team, which played its home games at the Teaneck Armory, became an important part of professional basketball’s growth. The New Jersey Americans basketball franchise was one of the original 11 ABA teams and quickly built a passionate fan base.
In the early years, the New Jersey Americans history included several standout players and memorable games. Although the team struggled with stability and facilities, it laid the groundwork for future success. Under the ownership of Arthur Brown, the Americans relocated after one season to Long Island, becoming the New York Nets in 1968. This move marked the first major turning point in New Jersey Americans basketball.
The team’s relocation and rebranding allowed the franchise to attract Hall of Famers like Julius Erving and Rick Barry. In the ABA, the former New Jersey Americans basketball team—now the New York Nets—won two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976, cementing its place in league history. When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, the Nets became one of four ABA teams to join the NBA, carrying the legacy of the New Jersey Americans history with them.
Americans Achievements
After entering the NBA, the franchise eventually moved back to New Jersey, becoming the New Jersey Nets in 1977. Under this name, the team reached back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 with Jason Kidd leading the way. Although they fell short of a championship, these appearances were the most successful NBA runs connected to the New Jersey Americans basketball lineage.
Today, the franchise is known as the Brooklyn Nets. It continues to build on the foundation set during the New Jersey Americans history. With star players such as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in recent years, the team has remained a strong contender in the Eastern Conference. The journey from the humble beginnings of the New Jersey Americans basketball team to the modern Brooklyn Nets showcases one of the most remarkable transformations in professional basketball.
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Retired Number
3 / Dražen Petrović
5 / Jason Kidd
23 / John Williamson
25 / Bill Melchionni
32 / Julius Erving
52 / Buck Williams
*Blue is this team’s history