GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids will go without a professional basketball team, after the Drive opted to not play in the shortened 2020-2021 G League season.
In a release Friday afternoon, team president Steve Jbara announced the franchise decided it is not worth the risk of playing this season. The G League is scheduled to play the 20-21 season in Orlando, with games starting in February.
“This was the right decision for our team, as we discussed both the safety and logistics surrounding a shortened, single-site season in Orlando,” said Jbara. “Our focus turns now to the 2021-22 season, including an exciting new affiliate that will allow us to further elevate the professional basketball experience in West Michigan for our partners, players and fans.”
2020-2021 was due to be the Drive's last season as an affiliate with the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are creating their own G League team that will play at Wayne State University.
“Our team remains committed to Grand Rapids,” said Ben Wallace, co-owner of the Grand Rapids Drive. “A new affiliate announcement may mean a new team name and logo, but this is home and we’re looking forward to sharing more details about our future soon as decisions are finalized with both our new affiliate and the NBA.”
