video: 78’s Set to Bring Professional Basketball Back to Worcester
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
_360_360_90.jpg)
Jose Cruz Jr.
The Worcester 78’s will open their first season in the American Basketball Association (ABA) on November 5 at the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester.
The 78’s are Worcester first professional basketball team since 1989.
"It means something to me to bring a team to the city, and where we are playing and what we are doing for the community, as well as, Boys and Girls Club is also very important for me. We will see how city accepts it," 78's President and Owner Tom Marino told GoLocal.
Forming the 78’s
The 78’s were established in July of 2017 after completing a pilot season in the ABA in 2016-17 as the New England Anchors.
They finished with seven wins and four losses.
During the off-season following the 2016-17 season, Marino set a goal of finding a permanent home in Worcester.
Along with the announcement of the team in July, it was also announced they had an agreement with Boys & Girls Club of Worcester to host its home games at the Club’s Tainter Street headquarters.
Recent Signing
Most recently, the 78’s announced the signing of Shrewsbury High School alum Jose Cruz Jr.
Cruz is a 6'7” forward and has a 28” standing vertical, giving him the ability to play above the rim.
“Jose is a perfect fit for the mold of player we want to attract to our team: a good man who is smart, works hard and is active in the basketball community. He is frighteningly athletic for his frame, can defend several positions and can win tough rebounds against anyone,” said Marino.
Cruz graduated from Shrewsbury High in 2010 after being a two-time league All-Star and helping the team win a title in 2010.
He spent the next year at Worcester Academy, winning the Lawson Riley Award.
He graduated from NCAA Division II Southern Connecticut State University in 2015.
The ABA
The original ABA was launched in 1967 and played nine seasons. The league produced NBA stars such as Moses Malone and Julius “Dr. J” Erving.
Today ’s version of the league has more than 100 teams across the United States. It is the largest and most diverse sports league in the world.
Related Slideshow: 10 Biggest Games in Holy Cross Basketball History
Related Articles
- Holy Cross Men’s Basketball Announces Schedule Changes Due to Weather
- 15 Who Made a Difference in 2015: Bill Carmody, Men’s Basketball Coach Holy Cross
- 10 Biggest Games in Holy Cross Basketball History
- Shaq, Iverson Headline 2016 Basketball Hall of Fame Class
- Holy Cross Basketball to Play in Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational in 2016-17
- Holy Cross Basketball 2015-16 Season Preview
- NEW: First Top 25 Rankings of 2015-16 College Basketball Season Released
- NEW: Holy Cross Basketball Announces Completion of Coaching Staff
- Central MA’s Carter-Williams Invited to USA Basketball Camp
- Holy Cross Basketball Announces 2015-16 Schedule
- Holy Cross Basketball Picked to Finish 8th in Patriot League
- Holy Cross Basketball’s Cullen Hamilton Honored With Richard Maloney Award
- Holy Cross Basketball to Play UMass at DCU Center on November 20
- Holy Cross Basketball to Unveil 2016 Patriot League Championship Banner Sunday
- Holy Cross Basketball Set to Face UMass at DCU Center
- Two Teenagers Arrested Following Fight During North High School Basketball Game
- Former Holy Cross Basketball Star and Game of Thrones Actor Fingleton Dead at 36
- Holy Cross Basketball Announces 2017-18 Non-Conference Schedule
- Holy Cross Basketball Picked 4th in Patriot League Preseason Poll
- Holy Cross Names Metzendorf Director of Men’s Basketball Operations
- Holy Cross Basketball Names Joe Scott as Assistant Coach
- Legendary Basketball Coach Pat Summitt Passes Away at 64
- Holy Cross Basketball Releases 2016-17 Season Schedule
- Holy Cross Basketball Asst. Coach Kennedy to be in Tonight’s “House Hunters” Episode
- Basketball Tournament to Benefit Puerto Rico to be Held in Worcester
Delivered Free Every
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It