The Utah Stars history is one of remarkable success and loyal fan support. Known for their strong performance in the Utah Stars ABA era, the team quickly became a powerhouse in Utah Stars basketball. With talented players and thrilling games, they built a lasting legacy that still stands as a proud part of Utah’s sports history.
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
Stars – The Utah Stars were an American Basketball Association (ABA) team based in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1970-1976. The team was founded by local businessman Vince Boryla and originally named the Los Angeles Stars before relocating to Salt Lake City before the 1970-71 season. As one of the original ABA franchises, Utah Stars history made a lasting impression on basketball fans across America. But many may not know there’s more than meets the eye regarding how this beloved franchise got its name!
Utah Stars Origin
The story behind why they chose “Stars” as their nickname dates back to 1969 when Boryla first acquired ownership rights for an expanding professional basketball franchise in Los Angeles. At that time, he wanted something unique for his new club, so he decided on “Stars” because it represented excellence—a quality all teams strive for but few reach! He also liked how stars are visible no matter where you look up at night—an appropriate symbol considering his goal was bringing professional sports entertainment into people's lives regardless of location or circumstance.
Once relocated to Utah. However, some felt that a different nickname would be more fitting given its geographical context; there aren't any literal stars within state boundaries! Despite these concerns, everyone ultimately agreed to keep "stars" as part of their identity since it had already become established among fans locally and nationally by then anyway - plus, who could argue against such a powerful representation?
Today we still remember fondly those days spent cheering on our favorite players while proudly wearing our own "Utah Stars" apparel - proving just how much impact this legendary organization has left behind long after disbanding nearly four decades ago now...
Championship
ABA Championships 1
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
- 1970
- 1971
- 1976
-
Heading East to Utah
Despite a promising young roster, the Stars were more or less an afterthought in a market whose first choices were the Los Angeles Lakers and UCLA Bruins; they only averaged 2,500 fans per game. In June 1970, Kirst sold the team to Colorado cable TV pioneer Bill Daniels, who moved the team to Salt Lake City as the Utah Stars. ... -
ABA Championship 1971 – Utah Stars
The Stars defeated the Texas Chaparrals 4 games to none in the first round of the playoffs, beat the Indiana Pacers 4 games to 3 in a fiercely contested semifinal series, and edged out the Kentucky Colonels 4 games to 3 in another fiercely contested series, this time for the ABA championship. -
Stars Shut Down
Despite the Stars’ demise, Salt Lake City had proven it could support big-time professional basketball. With this in mind, in 1976 the owners of the Spirits of St. Louis announced that they were moving the team to Utah for the 1976 – 1977 ABA season, to play as the Utah Rockies. However, this was undone when the ABA–NBA merger closed ...
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.
Utah Stars History
The Utah Stars history is one of the most remarkable stories in professional basketball. Originally known as the Anaheim Amigos before relocating, the Utah Stars basketball team competed in the Utah Stars ABA from 1970 to 1975. The franchise quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of the most successful teams in the league’s history. Led by standout players like Zelmo Beaty, Willie Wise, and Ron Boone, the team built a legacy of excellence and excitement that still resonates with fans today.
Under the leadership of coach Bill Sharman, the Utah Stars basketball team made an immediate impact. In their early seasons, they dominated the court, winning division titles in their first three years and reaching the ABA Finals twice. Sharman’s disciplined coaching style and the team’s deep roster helped them become a model of consistency during the Utah Stars ABA era.
The Utah Stars history reached new heights with a remarkable 65-win season under Sharman’s direction—a record-setting achievement for an expansion franchise at the time. The team’s high-paced offense and solid defense turned them into fan favorites. Stars like Beaty and Wise became household names, while Ron Boone’s scoring ability made him one of the most respected players in professional basketball.
Stars Achievements
However, financial challenges shadowed their success. Despite being among the best teams in the Utah Stars ABA, low attendance figures strained the franchise’s finances. Even with impressive performances, including a thrilling comeback series win over the Kentucky Colonels and multiple record-breaking scoring nights against teams like the Indiana Pacers, sustaining operations proved difficult.
Still, the spirit of the Utah Stars basketball legacy lives on. Fans fondly recall the energy of their home games and the unity the team brought to Utah. Memorabilia from that golden era—jerseys, posters, and programs—remains prized among collectors who cherish the team’s enduring mark on basketball history.
The Utah Stars history includes numerous milestones that highlight their dominance and influence within the ABA. Their commitment to competitive excellence and their ability to perform against top-tier opponents earned them a respected place in the league’s legacy.
1971 ABA Championship Victory
One of the proudest moments in Utah Stars basketball came in 1971, when they captured the ABA Championship. Led by Zelmo Beaty and coach Bill Sharman, the Stars defeated the Kentucky Colonels in a thrilling series, cementing their place in Utah Stars ABA history as one of the league’s finest teams. This championship remains a defining moment, symbolizing Utah’s short but shining era of professional basketball greatness.
Sports Fan Products
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