Giants Go West! 10th Anniversary Season

Story by Matt Potak
Photograph By: Giants staff

With the season in full swing, the six time ABA Champion Jacksonville Giants are embarking on an exciting West coast road trip. The Giants will play six road games on the West coast swing against some of the leagues toughest teams. Three of the Giants opponents on the road trip are currently ranked in the top of the ABA Power Rankings.
 
“It’s a very exciting time for Giants basketball,” said Head Coach Jerry Williams who has won three (3) championships in each of his first three (3) years as Head Coach of the Giants, having defeating Chicago, Austin and Miami. 
  
The Giants landed in San Diego on Thursday morning, Pacific time. Several pictures were posted on the Giants social media accounts, with many fans offering words of encouragement for the team. “The Jacksonville fan base is very supportive of the franchise and has played a vital part in the Giants 10 year history,” added Williams. With six championships in its first nine (9) seasons of the franchise, Jacksonville fans have a lot to be proud of.

The Giants will kick off the road trip on Saturday evening (6:00 p.m. PST) with a game vs the San Diego Kings, who were in last years Finals.  The Giants will travel to Las Vegas on Monday for two games, including one against the 16th ranked Las Vegas Royals. The Giants will travel to California’s San Francisco Bay area for a showdown on December 13th vs the 11th ranked Team Trouble. The Team Trouble game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. PST in Stockton, California. Jacksonville will end their road trip on Saturday the 14th with the San Francisco City Cats, who were also in the ABA Finals last year after finishing the season ranked #3 in the Power Rankings. 
 
Jacksonville will be led by a strong core of veteran players, including reigning league MVP, Maurice Mickens, the 2017-2018 Finals MVP, Bernard Nugent, and All Finals power forward and 20 year veteran, Calvin Warner, who has been a member of each of the a giants last four (4) championships and has extensive professional experience. Two time ABA MVP and 7’0” center Jermaine “Slim” Bell, in his 10th year with the Giants, will also return this year.  The Giants have also picked up several newcomers that have helped lead the team to a 2-0 start in their first week of the season.
 
Asked about the team’s 10th year anniversary, Giants’ owner Ron Sholes said “I think we’ve lived up to our promise of bringing championship basketball to Jacksonville and being winners on and off the court.” 
 
The Giants will celebrate their 2019 championship with Champions Night on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Veterans Memorial Arena where they will host a championship rematch and have their championship ring ceremony and banner unveiling.
 
Keep up to date with scores and highlights by liking the Jacksonville Giants Facebook page.