Providence Steamrollers

Providence Steamrollers
Division	Eastern Division
Founded	1946
History	1946–49
Arena	Rhode Island Auditorium
Location	Providence, Rhode Island
Team colors	Red, White, and Black
Ownership	Louis Pieri
Uniforms
Home Away

The Providence Steamrollers were a Basketball Association of America team based in Providence, Rhode Island.^[1] As of 2016, the Steamrollers remain the last professional sports franchise from one of the Big Four leagues to be based in Rhode Island, and none are currently planned to relocate or expand to the state, (though the New England Patriots are represented as a regional team as its home stadium sits halfway between Boston and Providence).

Franchise history

The Steamrollers were one of the original eleven NBA franchises (when the league was called the Basketball Association of America). The franchise posted an all-time record of 46–122 (.274) before folding after three seasons.

The Steamrollers still hold the dubious NBA record for the fewest games won in a season with six, in the 1947–48 season. However, the 2011-2012 Charlotte Bobcats hold the record for the lowest winning percentage in NBA history, with .106. Also during the 1947–48 season, the Steamrollers' coach Nat Hickey activated himself as a player for one game two days before his 46th birthday, setting a still-standing record as the oldest player in NBA history.

Players of note

• Ernie Calverley – Second-team All-NBA and led league in assists during NBA's first season
• George Nostrand – Tallest player in the NBA's first year
• Howie Shannon – Leading NBA rookie in 1949
• Nat Hickey – Oldest player in NBA history
• Kenny Sailors – Led team in scoring in 1948 and 1949

Coaches and others

• Robert Morris (1946–47)
• Hank Soar (1947–48)
• Nat Hickey (1948)
• Ken Loeffler (1948–49)

Season-by-season records

References

External links

• Providence Steam Rollers history