The New Jersey Nets history reflects a remarkable journey from their ABA roots to their NBA presence. Established in 1967, the franchise became a defining part of New Jersey Nets basketball through thrilling seasons, iconic players, and playoff runs. This page highlights the team’s evolution, memorable achievements, and its impact on professional basketball.
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
Nets - The New Jersey Nets have a long and storied history in the NBA, but many sports fans may not know the origins of their nickname. The team was founded in 1968 as part of the ABA (American Basketball Association) and originally called themselves “the Americans.” In 1972, they changed their name to “the New York Nets” after merging with another ABA franchise from Long Island; however, when they moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey, in 1977, they became known as “the New Jersey Nets.”
New Jersey Nets Origin
The origin story behind this new name is quite interesting: it came about due to a contest held by then-owner Roy Boe who asked local schoolchildren for suggestions on what he should call his newly relocated basketball team. One student suggested that since many highways were near the arena, including Route 3, which runs through NJ, why not call them "The Highwaymen" or "Networkers"? Boe liked these ideas so much that he chose them both! He combined them into one word – NETS – which has been used ever since! It's also worth noting that before being named after highways and networks, some people had referred to this particular franchise as either 'New Yorkers' or 'Jerseyites.'
This unique moniker has become an iconic representation of everything related to basketball within the Garden State over time; even today, you can still find plenty of merchandise featuring its logo around town! So next time you're watching your favorite NBA game at home or Barclays Center cheering on Brooklyn's version of The Net Workers, remember how it all began in 1972 with Roy Boe's creative idea for naming his beloved team: The NJ NETS!
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
- 1977
- 1978
- 2001
- 2004
-
Move Back to New Jersey
Due to the team’s low attendance and poor financial picture in Long Island, Boe decided to move the franchise back to New Jersey prior to the 1977 – 1978 season. The Knicks once again became an obstacle and threatened to block the move because it would infringe on their exclusive territorial rights to New Jersey. The Nets responded by suing ... -
Renamed New Jersey Nets
With the move official, the team was renamed the New Jersey Nets after its new home state. While the team awaited the completion of a new arena at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, they played four seasons at the Rutgers Athletic Center at Rutgers University in Piscataway. The 1978 – 1979 season saw the team, aided by the ... -
Trade for Jason Kidd
On the night of the 2001 Draft, the Nets traded the rights to their first-round selection (Eddie Griffin) to the Houston Rockets for Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, and Brandon Armstrong, and selected Brian Scalabrine in the second round. The trade was widely considered a smart move by the Nets as they needed to get younger and clear out much of ... -
Sold to Bruce Ratner
In 2004, after failing to secure a deal for a new arena in Newark, New Jersey (eventually a new arena, the Prudential Center, was built in Newark for the New Jersey Devils), the YankeeNets sold the franchise to a group headed by real estate developer Bruce Ratner for $300 million, beating out a group led by Charles Kushner and Jon ...
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 Nets History
The New Jersey Nets history began in 1967 when the franchise joined the American Basketball Association (ABA) as the New Jersey Americans before becoming the New York Nets. After winning two ABA Championships in 1974 and 1976, the team entered the NBA following the ABA–NBA merger. This shift marked the start of a new chapter for New Jersey Nets basketball, bringing both challenges and opportunities.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the New Jersey Nets history included a mix of playoff appearances and rebuilding years. Players like Buck Williams, Dražen Petrović, and Derrick Coleman became fan favorites and helped shape New Jersey Nets basketball culture. However, the franchise’s true resurgence came in the early 2000s under coach Byron Scott.
Between 2001 and 2003, the New Jersey Nets history reached a peak with back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. Led by Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson, and later Vince Carter, the team dominated the Eastern Conference. Although they lost the Finals both times, this era cemented New Jersey Nets basketball as a top force in the league.
Nets Achievements
After their Finals runs, the team faced challenges, including injuries and roster changes. The New Jersey Nets history then shifted again with the move to Brooklyn in 2012, rebranding as the Brooklyn Nets. Even during the transition, achievements such as multiple playoff berths and the emergence of stars like Brook Lopez and Caris LeVert kept the franchise competitive.
Today, the legacy of the New Jersey Nets history lives on in Brooklyn with the Nets’ continued pursuit of an NBA title. Fans remember the team’s two ABA Championships, two NBA Finals appearances, division titles, and countless memorable moments as a proud part of New Jersey Nets basketball and professional basketball history.
Sports Fan Products
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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
