Dakota Wizards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dakota Wizards
League	NBA G League
Founded	1995
History	Dakota Wizards, 1995–2012 -> IBA: 1995–2001, CBA: 2001–2006, NBA D- League: 2006–2012; Santa Cruz Warriors, 2012–present
Arena	Bismarck Civic Center
Capacity	10,100
Location	Bismarck, North Dakota
Team colors	Royal Blue, Golden Yellow, White, Purple, Green
Affiliation(s)	Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards
Championships	(4) 2 CBA 1 IBA 1 D-League
Division/Conference titles	(7) 3 CBA 2 IBA 2 D-League
Uniforms
Home Away

The Dakota Wizards were a professional basketball team from Bismarck, North Dakota. They played in the NBA Development League (now called the NBA G League) from 2006 to 2012. After the 2011–12 season, the team moved to Santa Cruz, California. It is now known as the Santa Cruz Warriors. Before joining the D-League in 2006, the Wizards played for 11 years in smaller American leagues. These included the International Basketball Association (IBA) and the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).

Team History

Starting Years (1995–2006)

The Wizards began playing in 1995 in the International Basketball Association (IBA). In 2001, with Dave Joerger as their coach, they won the IBA championship. This was in the league's final year.

After the 2000–01 season, the IBA joined with some teams from the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). In their first year in the new CBA, Coach Joerger and the Wizards won another league title. They beat the Rockford Lightning in the finals. The Wizards reached the semifinals in the 2002–03 season. Then, in 2004, they won the league title again against the Idaho Stampede. This gave Coach Joerger his third championship with the Wizards.

After the 2003–04 season, Coach Joerger left the Wizards. He took a coaching job with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Casey Owens, a former assistant coach, became the new head coach. The Wizards lost their first two games to the Skyforce. However, they then went on a 12-game winning streak. This streak ended when they lost to Sioux Falls on New Year's Eve, 2004. Two potential all-stars, Billy Keys and Dickey Simpkins, also left the team. They went to play basketball overseas during the season. The Wizards secured home-court advantage for the 2005 playoffs. They had the best record in the league at 32 wins and 16 losses. Dakota split their first four playoff games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. But Sioux Falls won Game 5 with a 102–97 victory. This ended the Wizards' playoff run that year.

For the 2005–06 season, the Wizards hired Dave Bliss as their new coach. He had coached at Baylor University before. With this coaching change, the Wizards did not make the playoffs in 2006. They had finished first in 2005. Coach Bliss resigned after the 2005–06 season. The Wizards finished that season with 19 wins and 29 losses.

First Season in the D-League (2006–2007)

In April 2006, the Wizards and three other teams left the CBA. They joined the growing NBA Development League. These teams were the Colorado 14ers, Idaho Stampede, and Sioux Falls Skyforce.

For their first D-League season, the Wizards brought back head coach Dave Joerger. Coach Joerger led the Wizards to a 33–17 record in 2006–07. This was the best record in the Eastern Division. He then guided them to the Championship Game. Forward Darius Rice came off the bench in that game. He had an amazing night, leading the Wizards to a 129–121 overtime win. They defeated the Colorado 14ers. Rice scored 52 points and made 11 three-pointers. One of his three-pointers, with 4.5 seconds left, tied the game at 109. This sent it into overtime. Rice's points and three-point totals set new records for a D-League championship game.

Team Changes (2007–2011)

After the 2006–07 season, Coach Dave Joerger left. He was hired by the Memphis Grizzlies as an assistant coach. The Wizards then hired Duane Ticknor to take his place. In July 2007, the Wizards became connected with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Washington Wizards NBA teams.

In the 2007–08 season, the Wizards won their division again. This time, they were first in the Central Division. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs. Their rivals, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, defeated them. The Wizards continued to make the playoffs in 2008–09 and 2009–10. But in 2010–11, they missed the postseason. This was the first time since 2005–06, and only the second time since 1998–99. The Wizards ended the 2010–11 season with 19 wins and 31 losses. They finished fourth in the Eastern Conference.

New Ownership and Return to Playoffs (2011–2012)

On June 28, 2011, the Golden State Warriors bought the Wizards team. Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, who led the Warriors, made the purchase. The Warriors became the fourth NBA team to own their own NBA D-League team. The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Lakers also owned teams.

The Wizards stayed in Bismarck for the 2011–12 season. However, the Warriors planned to move the team to Northern California in 2012. To show the new ownership, the Wizards got new team colors. They used the Warriors' blue and gold as an alternative. Their old purple and green colors dated back to their IBA days. The old colors were still used for the team's road uniforms. The blue and gold were used for home uniforms and the team logo. Edwin Ubiles led the Wizards in 2011–12. He helped the team return to the playoffs with 29 wins and 21 losses. But they lost 2–0 to the Bakersfield Jam in the first round.

Team Relocation

After many talks about moving, the Golden State Warriors made an announcement. On October 10, 2012, they said the Dakota Wizards would move to Santa Cruz. This move happened for the 2012–13 season. The team was then renamed the Santa Cruz Warriors.

Season by Season Records

Retired Jersey Numbers

The Dakota Wizards honored these players by retiring their jersey numbers:

• Kevin Rice (#32)
• Kevin Beard (#35)
• Willie Murdaugh (#41)

All-Time Team

In May 2012, as the Wizards were about to move to Santa Cruz, a reporter named Lou Babiarz picked an all-time team. He worked for Bismarck Tribune for a long time. He chose 15 players for the Dakota Wizards' best team ever.

NBA Team Connections

The Dakota Wizards were connected to several NBA teams over the years:

• Chicago Bulls (2006–2007)
• Memphis Grizzlies (2007–2011)
• Washington Wizards (2006–2011)
• Golden State Warriors (2011–present as the Santa Cruz Warriors)