American Basketball League

The American Basketball League (ABL), a professional league for women in the United States, began play in 1996, allowing Edwards a first chance to compete professionally in her home country. She first played for the Atlanta Glory, and in 1997–98 she also served as the team’s…

…as a threat to the American Basketball League (ABL). He played with the Cleveland Rosenblooms, leading them to successive championships (1929–30) until the ABL went out of business in 1930. He then played with the original Celtics, who barnstormed throughout the United States but themselves disbanded in 1936.

…the dissolution of the rival American Basketball League in 1999, the WNBA grew in the early years of the 21st century to become the most successful American women’s professional sports league ever, helped along by the popularity of outstanding players such as Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson.