Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Encyclopedia
The Rio Grande Valley Vipers are a 2007-08 expansion team in the NBA Development League
. They play their home games at the State Farm Arena, in Hidalgo, Texas
.
The Vipers have a single-partnership affiliation agreement with the Houston Rockets
for the 2009–10 season. Previously, they were also affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers
for 2007–08 and the New Orleans Hornets for 2007–09.
In 2009, the Vipers and the Houston Rockets
entered into a single affiliation partnership in which the Rockets controlled the Vipers' basketball operations while the franchise remains under local ownership. The result paid immediate dividends in the 2009–10 season, as the Vipers enjoyed their most successful season. Led by league MVP Mike Harris
, and coach of the year Chris Finch, the Vipers went 34–16, tops in the Western Conference, and earned the franchise's first playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Vipers beat both Reno and Austin
in 3 games, and swept Tulsa
in the Finals to earn the franchise's first championship.
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
. They play their home games at the State Farm Arena, in Hidalgo, Texas
Hidalgo, Texas
Hidalgo is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 11,198 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Rio Grande Valley Magic of the Southern Indoor Football League, the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League, and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA...
.
The Vipers have a single-partnership affiliation agreement with the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
for the 2009–10 season. Previously, they were also affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
for 2007–08 and the New Orleans Hornets for 2007–09.
History
After the finish of the 2007 season, the D-League expanded to Hidalgo, Texas. They announced the team there would be named the "Vipers". In their debut, they finished with a 21–29 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs. In 2008–09, they finished with the same record, failing to advance to the playoffs for the second year in a row.In 2009, the Vipers and the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
entered into a single affiliation partnership in which the Rockets controlled the Vipers' basketball operations while the franchise remains under local ownership. The result paid immediate dividends in the 2009–10 season, as the Vipers enjoyed their most successful season. Led by league MVP Mike Harris
Mike Harris
Michael Deane "Mike" Harris was the 22nd Premier of Ontario from June 26, 1995 to April 15, 2002. He is most noted for the "Common Sense Revolution", his Progressive Conservative government's program of deficit reduction in combination with lower taxes and cuts to government...
, and coach of the year Chris Finch, the Vipers went 34–16, tops in the Western Conference, and earned the franchise's first playoff berth. In the playoffs, the Vipers beat both Reno and Austin
Austin Toros
The Austin Toros are a NBA Development League minor league basketball team based in Cedar Park, Texas, United States.The team plays home games at Cedar Park Center.Their logo is the design of a bull and basketball with the state of Texas in the background...
in 3 games, and swept Tulsa
Tulsa 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their logo design is a basketball behind mountains with a road leading up to them, all on a U.S...
in the Finals to earn the franchise's first championship.
Season By Season
| Season | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | Postseason Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Valley Vipers | ||||||
| 2007–08 | Southwestern | 5th | 21 | 29 | .420 | |
| 2008–09 | Southwestern | 4th | 21 | 29 | .420 | |
| 2009–10 | Western | 1st | 34 | 16 | .680 | Won Round 1 (Reno) 2–1 Won Semifinals (Austin Austin Toros The Austin Toros are a NBA Development League minor league basketball team based in Cedar Park, Texas, United States.The team plays home games at Cedar Park Center.Their logo is the design of a bull and basketball with the state of Texas in the background... ) 2–1 Won D-League Finals (Tulsa Tulsa 66ers The Tulsa 66ers are an NBA Development League team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their logo design is a basketball behind mountains with a road leading up to them, all on a U.S... ) 2–0 |
| 2010–11 | Western | 2nd | 33 | 17 | .660 | Won Round 1 (Bakersfield Bakersfield Jam The Bakersfield Jam is an expansion franchise of the National Basketball Association Development League that began play in 2006-07. It plays its home games at the newly-built Jam Events Center in Bakersfield, California, United States, which had been built as their practice facility... ) 2–1 Won Semifinals (Reno) 2–0 Lost D-League Finals (Iowa Iowa Energy The Iowa Energy are a 2007-08 expansion team of the NBA Development League, of which they are the current defending champions. They play their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena at Iowa Events Center.... ) 1–2 |
| Regular season | 109 | 91 | .545 | |||
| Playoffs | 11 | 5 | .688 | |||
Current roster
Past coaches
- Bob HoffmanBob Hoffman (basketball coach)Bob Hoffman is an American college basketball coach and current head men's basketball coach at Mercer University. He was hired on March 27, 2008 to replace Mark Slonaker. Hoffman had previously coached at the Division I level at the University of Texas-Pan American.-References:...
, Head Coach (2007–08) - Clay Moser, Head Coach (2008–09)
Past players
- Aaron BrooksAaron Brooks (basketball)Aaron Jamal Brooks is an American basketball player who is currently a point guard for the Guangdong Southern Tigers. He was selected 26th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft...
, G, 6'0, University of OregonUniversity of Oregon-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
(2007) - Steve NovakSteve NovakSteve Novak is an American professional basketball player who last played with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. He is listed as 6'10", 240 lbs. He played college basketball in the NCAA at Marquette University...
, F, 6'10, Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityMarquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
(2007) - Jarred Merrill, F, 6'9, Oklahoma Christian (2007)
- Gabe MuonekeGabe MuonekeNnadubem Gabriel Enyinaya Muoneke is a Nigerian American professional basketball player. Despite being born in the United States, Muoneke represents Nigeria internationally....
, F, 6'7, University of Texas (2007) - Kenny Taylor, G, 6'3, University of Texas (2007–08)
- C.J. Watson, G, 6'2, University of TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeThe University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
(2007–08) - Kevin BookoutKevin BookoutKevin Bookout is an American professional basketball player. He played collegiately with the University of Oklahoma Sooners. While with the Sooners, Bookout scored 1,018 points and pulled in 682 rebounds...
, F, 6'8, University of OklahomaUniversity of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
(2007–08) - Cedric SimmonsCedric SimmonsCedric Simmons is an American professional basketball player for the Asefa Estudiantes of the Liga ACB. A 6'10",...
, F, 6'9, North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
(2008) - Shannon BrownShannon BrownShannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr...
, G, 6'4, Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
(2008) - Chris TaftChris TaftChris Taft is an American basketball player.-NCAA career:Chris Taft was born in Brooklyn, New York, and began his college career at the University of Pittsburgh after graduating from Xaverian High School in Brooklyn...
, F, 6'10, University of PittsburghUniversity of PittsburghThe University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
(2008) - Luke Anderson, F, 6'6, University of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaThe University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
(2008) - Kyle Davis, F, 6'9, Auburn UniversityAuburn UniversityAuburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
(2008)
Players assigned from NBA teams
- Steve NovakSteve NovakSteve Novak is an American professional basketball player who last played with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. He is listed as 6'10", 240 lbs. He played college basketball in the NCAA at Marquette University...
– assigned by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on November 11, 2007 - Aaron BrooksAaron Brooks (basketball)Aaron Jamal Brooks is an American basketball player who is currently a point guard for the Guangdong Southern Tigers. He was selected 26th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft...
– assigned by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on December 6, 2007 - Cedric SimmonsCedric SimmonsCedric Simmons is an American professional basketball player for the Asefa Estudiantes of the Liga ACB. A 6'10",...
– assigned by the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
on January 2, 2008 - Shannon BrownShannon BrownShannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr...
– assigned by the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
on January 11, 2008 - Joey DorseyJoey DorseyRichard Elmer "Joey" Dorsey is an American professional basketball player who plays for Caja Laboral. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis Tigers, where he was an interdisciplinary studies major...
– assigned by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on December 26, 2008 - Joey DorseyJoey DorseyRichard Elmer "Joey" Dorsey is an American professional basketball player who plays for Caja Laboral. He played college basketball for the University of Memphis Tigers, where he was an interdisciplinary studies major...
– assigned by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on November 13, 2009 - Jermaine TaylorJermaine Taylor (basketball)Jermaine Taylor is an American professional basketball player. Taylor was a starting guard for the University of Central Florida basketball team...
– assigned by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on January 28, 2010 - Ishmael SmithIshmael SmithIshmael Larry Smith is a professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA. He played college basketball at Wake Forest, then was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Rockets on August 23, 2010. On January 17, 2011, he was assigned to Rio Grande Valley Vipers...
– assigned by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on January 17th, 2011
Players recalled to the NBA
- Aaron BrooksAaron Brooks (basketball)Aaron Jamal Brooks is an American basketball player who is currently a point guard for the Guangdong Southern Tigers. He was selected 26th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft...
– recalled by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on December 14, 2007 - Steve NovakSteve NovakSteve Novak is an American professional basketball player who last played with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. He is listed as 6'10", 240 lbs. He played college basketball in the NCAA at Marquette University...
– recalled by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on December 17, 2007 - Cedric SimmonsCedric SimmonsCedric Simmons is an American professional basketball player for the Asefa Estudiantes of the Liga ACB. A 6'10",...
– recalled by the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
on January 11, 2008 - Shannon BrownShannon BrownShannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr...
– recalled by the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
on January 17, 2008
Players called up to the NBA
- C.J. Watson – called up by the Golden State WarriorsGolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
on January 8, 2008 - Jawad WilliamsJawad WilliamsJawad Hason Williams is an American professional basketball player. He played high school basketball at St. Edward High School of Lakewood, Ohio and collegiately for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels....
– called up by the Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
on April 9, 2009 - Mike HarrisMike Harris (basketball)Michael "Mike" Harris is an American professional basketball player.-College career:Harris played college basketball for Rice University and finished his career as Rice's all-time leading scorer and rebounder .-Pro career:Harris played professionally for BC Kyiv of the Ukrainian Super League...
– called up by the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on December 23, 2009 - Will Conroy – called up by the Houston Rockets from January 28 to February 8, 2010
- Garrett TempleGarrett TempleGarrett Temple is an American professional basketball player who plays for A.S. Junior Pallacanestro Casale in Italy. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.A 6'6" guard, Temple played at Louisiana State University from 2005 to 2009...
– called up by the Houston Rockets on February 8, 2010
Affiliates
- Cleveland CavaliersCleveland CavaliersThe Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
(2007–2008) - Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
(2007–present) - New Orleans Hornets (2007–2009)