LAKE MARY, FL, February 13, 2023) – The Florida Basketball Association (FBA) has approved the Kissimmee Lambs as a new expansion team for the upcoming 2023 season.
The Lambs are owned by the IBCK Educational Center, a private school in Kissimmee, Florida led by Edgar Vasquez and Benjamin Gonzalez.
Edgar A. Vasquez, one of the school’s top administrators and pastors, is also a Pastor at Central Baptist Church of Kissimmee. He received his BA and MA at Florida Christian University and has a background in construction and finance as well as a love of basketball.
Benjamin Gonzalez is an Electrical Engineer by trade and is the Administrative Director overseeing daily operations. He attended the Institute of Technology and the University of Puerto Rico where he studied Mechanical Engineering. Later he completed his BA degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Turabo, PR.
“We’ve been very strategic with FBA growth” said Greg Kite, Commissioner of the FBA. “It’s always quality over quantity for us. We are not in a hurry to be the largest minor league in the United States. Mr. Vasquez and Mr. Gonzalez checked several boxes in terms of what we are looking for from new team owners, and our collaboration of vision and resources will bring significant benefits to all parties.”
Vasquez also helps lead the Venezuela Basketball League, an initiative promoting camaraderie and integration of players, both amateur and professional, who do not have the opportunity to play in Venezuela due to the political and humanitarian crisis that exists in the country.
“Adding international partners and ownership groups is an important critical next step in terms of the FBA’s vision,” said Kite. “We of course want our players to reach the highest echelon of playing in the NBA, but we know that playing internationally is a more likely, practical destination for most of our players.”
“The FBA’s passion for the sport, its desire to include raw talent waiting to be discovered and their over 10 years of longevity and excellence in the basketball community resonated with IBCK Lamb’s values and ethical standards,” said Gonzalez. “We’re excited to collaborate with our FBA partners, further enhance the league’s connection to the Hispanic community, and help propel talent both within the US and Venezuela into the professional arena.”
The Lambs will officially begin play during the 2023 FBA season. For more information, visit www.thefba.com or email Edgar Vasquez at vasquez71979@gmail.com or Ben Gonzalez at ben.gonzalez.1212@gmail.com.
About the FBA: The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to enhance their professional basketball careers. For more information, please visit www.thefba.com.
(LONGWOOD, FL, May 18, 2022) – The Florida Flight grabbed their first win of the 2022 FBA season Sunday, defeating the Winter Park Storm in a thrilling overtime match 134 – 127.
The Flight led for most of the game, but saw a 24 point lead evaporate late in the fourth quarter after a barrage of 3-pointers by the Storm by Aaron Taylor and Ulrick Paul.
Paul tied the game after a key 3 pointer with just over 2 minutes to go in the game. The Storm’s Chris Williams hit another three with less than a minute remaining to give the Storm their first lead since the first quarter.
The score was tied at 113 with just under 6 seconds remaining when Taylor hit a one-legged three pointer to put the Storm up 116 – 113. With just .4 seconds left on the clock, Gullet responded with a three pointer of his own, sending the game into overtime.
“Coach asked me where I wanted it, and we executed what he drew up perfectly,” said Gullett after the game. “I’ve practice that shot hundreds of times. I knew if I got the ball in that spot I had a great chance of hitting it and sending it to overtime.”
The Flight controlled the game for most of the overtime, pulling off the 7 point win.
“This was easily one of the most incredible games I’ve ever experienced as a coach, and I think it says a lot about FBA basketball,” said Flight Head Coach Mark King. “The Storm are an exceptional team coached by a man that I have an incredible amount of respect for in Barry Mestel. I always enjoy playing chess against him. He brings out the best in me as a coach, and you can never count them out before the final buzzer sounds.”
The Flight are now 1-1 on the season. They lost another close one to the Palm Beach Titans 109 – 117 the night prior. Their next game is Sunday, May 29th at Lyman High School. Tip-off is slated for 4:00pm.
About the Flight: The Florida Flight is a member team of the Florida Basketball Association. The mission of the Florida Flight is to utilize the platform of professional basketball to invest in the lives of others.
About the FBA: The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to enhance their professional basketball careers.
Sam Vincent signed as coach of Bahrain’s national basketball team in 2020.
Orlando, FL – The Florida Basketball Association (FBA) today announced it has appointed former NBA player and coach Sam Vincent as the league’s first-ever Chief Advisor for Global Development.
Also the Head Coach of the Bahrain Men’s National Team, Vincent is excited to offer his extensive international basketball knowledge to create new opportunities both for the FBA and his own team. Discussions are already in the works to bring the Bahrain squad to Florida to compete against FBA franchises in the not-so-distant future. In addition to Bahrain, Vincent has also played or coached professionally in Greece, the Netherlands and Nigeria.
“Over the many years I have been a player, coach and league executive, I have developed a countless number of contacts both in the United States and abroad,” Vincent said. “The FBA exists to create opportunities for players to find jobs in other countries … and there is no doubt this league features players who would help many such teams. As a result, my job will include creating additional knowledge of the FBA and helping supply deserving players to teams in need of their services.”
Vincent and longtime FBA Commissioner Greg Kite were teammates on the Boston Celtics’ 1986 NBA Championship team, and the duo is excited at the opportunity to once again work together – this time under the FBA umbrella. “I have spent a great deal of time with Sam over the years, first with the Celtics and most recently with the Florida chapter of the NBA Retired Players Association. His experience, contacts and professionalism will make him an invaluable resource for our league, its teams and its players.”
On May 25, 2007 Vincent was introduced as the new head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats of the NBA.
Vincent also has numerous ties to Central Florida and was an integral part of the Orlando Magic’s inaugural 1989 season.
Chosen Michigan’s “Mr. Basketball” coming out of high school, Vincent played collegiately at Michigan State. While there, he was a Sporting News All-American in 1985 and played alongside future Magic teammate Scott Skiles, comprising arguably the nation’s best backcourt. Vincent was drafted by the Celtics in the first round of the 1985 NBA draft and enjoyed a seven-year career in the NBA with four teams before playing overseas and then turning his focus to coaching – including a stint as the Head Coach of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats.
The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball careers.
(Clermont, FL) – The Florida Basketball Association (FBA) has awarded an expansion franchise to the city of Clermont. The team has been named the Crocodiles (“Crocs”) and will begin league play in the upcoming 2021 season.
Team owners are Daniel, David and Max Luna, three brothers with extensive playing and coaching experience both in the United States and abroad. Twins Daniel and David, former professional players in Catalonia, Spain and current executives with Hilton, will handle the sales and marketing side of the team, with older brother Max, who coached at Life Pacific College in California, handling Head Coach and General Manager duties.
“Re-involving myself with the game of basketball has been my passion,” said Daniel Luna. “I have been researching the FBA since 2015. We are convinced Clermont will be a great place for a franchise because it’s relatively close to a number of other teams – but not too close.”
David Luna is also heavily involved in the fashion industry. He not only has his own clothing line but has also done online promotional work for Kanye West’s Yeezy brand, Forever 21 and Kenneth Cole, among others. Due to these connections, the Crocs’ have teamed with representatives of the Yeezy brand to design their inaugural uniform. “They will surely be unique and our logo will be fantastic for team merchandise items,” Daniel Luna said.
“We are excited to welcome the Clermont Crocs to the FBA,” said league Commissioner Greg Kite. “The Luna brothers’ experience, business acumen and enthusiasm for the game of basketball make this an expansion team to watch.”
The FBA now consists of eight teams, with the Crocs joining the Brevard Bobcats, Florida Flight, Gainesville Mighty Oaks, The Pride (Poinciana), St. Pete Tide, Tampa Gunners and Winter Park Storm.
The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball careers.
This past March, an FBA expansion franchise was awarded to David Smith, who placed the team in Gainesville and named it the Mighty Oaks. Since his arrival in the area, Smith has set the wheels in motion for success, including hiring AJ Stallworth to fill the roles of Head Coach and General Manager. During a recent Zoom call with Smith and Stallworth, we discussed a number of topics pertaining to their new team, as well as their vision for the future.
John Weis: Tell me about your backgrounds and what led you to where you are today.
David Smith: This is my first entrance into the world of basketball but I have decades of experience in professional sports. I grew up around horses and was a harness racing trainer at the highest level for 44 years. In 2013, my horse finished second in the $1.5 million Hambletonian Stakes. I also have an extensive background in minor-league hockey. For two seasons, I was part-owner of a team based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina called the Twin City Cyclones that played in the Southern Professional Hockey League. After that I was a scout for the Federal Hockey League for nine years.
AJ Stallworth: I was very fortunate to play my college ball at Life University in Marietta, Georgia, where we won the NAIA Championship in 2000. From there I played professionally in just about every minor league imaginable in the United States. In between, I was fortunate enough to play for the Harlem Ambassadors and the Harlem Globetrotters, which gave me the opportunity to tour much of the United States and be part of an iconic brand. At the very end of my playing career I also had a short stint playing in the top professional league in Korea. Once I retired as a player, I became a team owner, coach and general manager for a number of minor-league teams. When David reached out to me, it was quickly apparent that he and I had a similar mindset, so saying yes to him was an easy decision.
John: The FBA prides itself on providing career advancement opportunities for their players. Both of you seem eager to do this for your team. Why do you believe this is so important?
AJ: When you’re someone like me who played as long as I did, you learn important things over the years. I am happy to pass along the wisdom of my experience to others. There are a lot of talented players who don’t realize that just because you don’t make it to the NBA … it doesn’t mean your career is over. That’s not true at all; you can still do very well playing professional basketball. If you are willing to do whatever it takes to make it, there are lots of opportunities out there – and the game can provide a very good living for you. I made a lot of sacrifices but there is no question it was worth it. Hopefully, I can inspire and motivate our players to do the same; and if they do, good things will happen for them.
David: After I retired last year, I realized I still wanted to be involved in sports in some way because of my competitive nature. As a hockey executive, my goal was always to get players to the next level. To this day, I still receive calls from teams asking me for my opinion on players. Now that I am an FBA team owner, I am working hard to establish new connections in basketball to help our guys do the exact same thing – advance their careers. But for the most part, I am going to stay out of AJ’s way and let him run the team as he sees fit. Remember the old Bill Parcells quote where he says if he’s going to do the cooking he should also be allowed to buy the groceries? That’s how I feel … and it’s why I am going to let AJ do his thing. He’s a proven winner.
John: The Mighty Oaks is a unique team nickname. How did you decide upon it?
David: Once we were awarded our team, I began researching Gainesville to see if there was something about the city we could tie into the nickname. So when I Googled “Gainesville”, I discovered it’s known as “a tree city of the world” by the United Nations and the Arbor Day Foundation. And what tree better exemplifies strength than the Mighty Oak? To me, it’s the perfect name.
John: Discuss your philosophy on how you coach … and what kind of player you recruit for the Mighty Oaks.
AJ: I have the ability to reach players of all ages and skill levels. I understand players are motivated by different things. Some people need a pat on the back, some just need some instruction and others need a kick in the butt. As long as you are making your players better, they’ll respect you for what you’re doing for them. Of course, we want to put a winner on the floor for our fans. Winning is big but it’s not everything. We will not settle for players who are not good role models in our community, no matter how talented they are. We are going to do things the right way and keep pushing each other to be better players and people. We are also going to place a special emphasis on being very kid-friendly.
John: I know you are fairly new to the FBA but you have played a couple exhibition games already (winning both) … and I’m sure you’ve done some homework on the other teams. What are your initial thoughts about the talent that can be found across the league?
AJ: The talent level is high in the FBA and every player on every team is very capable – and of course, there are a small handful of players that can be called stars. But basketball is a five-man sport, so I preach togetherness and teamwork on and off the court. This is especially important for us as a first-year team, because we don’t have the advantage of playing together for a long time like most of the other FBA squads.
John: Any predictions on the upcoming season?
David: I am originally from Missouri – the Show-Me state. I don’t believe in doing a lot of trash talking about what’s going to happen on the track, on the ice or in this case, on the basketball court … and that’s because I know for certain that anything can happen. I’ve witnessed big-time horses get beat by ones with long odds … and I’ve seen highly skilled teams lose to opponents with far less talent. We have had some initial success including winning the recent Hard2Guard cash tournament in Clearwater, but rather than making any kind of prediction, I would say it’s best to let our performance do the talking for us.
The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball careers.
The year was 2008 and Meenyus “MJ” Miller Jr. was barely a teenager. While all his friends were worried about the time and location of their next pick-up basketball game, MJ was already dreaming about plans for his future … as the President of his own team. “I watched a lot of basketball as a kid and realized a player’s career doesn’t last forever; in fact, it can end at any moment. You’re not promised tomorrow. So I knew I had to figure out something else to do with the rest of my life while still being involved in the game I loved.”
Fast-forward to late last year, when Miller became the youngest team owner in the Florida Basketball Association at just 26 years of age. “All I asked for was the chance to show what I could do,” said Miller, whose expansion team will be called the Brevard Bobcats. “I have been preparing for this opportunity for many years. I take my hat off to (FBA Executives) Mark King and Greg Kite, who looked beyond my age and took the time to get to know me. Once they did, they realized I knew what I was talking about and that I had a blueprint for success.”
One thing’s for certain: no one will outwork Miller, who toils tirelessly to be a good example for his one-year-old daughter, Gihanna. In addition to owning and operating the Bobcats, he currently has an IT job and also trains young athletes using the knowledge he gained at Methodist University in North Carolina, where he earned a degree in Sports Therapy. In 2017, he attended the US Olympic Sports Clinic in Miami, where he became Olympic Certified in Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology. “I tell the kids I train and the guys I coach that if they put God at the head of the table and are dedicated to their craft, anything is possible. But you have to be willing to put in the work and make sacrifices. I waited for my opportunity for a long time, and now my patience has paid off.”
Miller played semipro ball in Central Florida for two seasons but the experience was not a completely positive one for him. “I liked playing at that level but a lot of guys were only there for themselves,” recalls Miller. “You would hear people bragging about how they scored 30 points but they didn’t mention it took them 40 shots to get there … or that their team lost by 25 points. Because I was a more team-oriented guy, playing in that environment took away some of the fun.”
Miller is ready to bring an exciting brand of team basketball to the Brevard area that fans will appreciate. “I have been in this area for about 20 years and I know the community has already proven they’re receptive of professional basketball here. I hold my team to a high standard and do things right, so when people in our community hear the Brevard Bobcats name mentioned, it will give them a feeling of pride,” he explained.
Once the COVID period passes, he plans on opening a Brevard chapter of the FBA Junior League. Just after Thanksgiving, he’ll be organizing a 3-on-3 league to give his players more opportunities to play in real games. “It’s also a unique way for guys to try out for the team under fire,” says Miller. “I will even have a second group of guys I’m calling the Farmhouse team, equivalent to what a G-League team is to an NBA franchise. This gives additional players the opportunity to keep getting better and gaining more experience.”
Though Miller is new to the FBA, the league is not new to him as he’s been researching its teams for several years. “The talent level is amazing in the FBA. I have already seen the existing teams and I know the reputation of Coach AJ (Stallworth) with the other new team in Gainesville (the Mighty Oaks) – he’ll make sure they’re very good. In the FBA you have to bring it every game; if you don’t, I feel sorry for you!” Miller will also coach the team and is excited to pit his skills against the other FBA floor generals.
According to Miller, there is one big reason he decided to set up shop in Brevard County. “There is so much high-quality talent here and I am excited to be able to put it on display. I want players to know they don’t need to go to a bigger city to get exposure; they can get it right here as long as they’re willing to work their tails off. The ultimate goal of the Brevard Bobcats is helping people pursue their dreams – and I’m going to do everything within my power to help them get to the next level. I worked hard to fulfill my dream to become an owner and I will get just as much joy from watching others achieve their goals, knowing I played a part in that success.”
“Brevard has a strong minor league basketball history, going back to the Brevard Blue Ducks of the old USBL,” said Kite, the FBA Commissioner. “Meenyus has a very solid plan to impact Brevard in the same manner, putting a competitive group together while also focusing on community outreach. They had a great first showing in Gainesville, defeating the Florida Flight in the Corona Classic tournament last month. We’re pretty excited to see how they will fare in the 2021 regular season.”
The aforementioned Corona Classic was broadcast online and gained 2,500 views. “Many of those views were attributed to our fans so I know there is already a great deal of interest in us,” Miller said “There are a lot of people who are rooting for me to succeed … people who have heard about our plan and are excited to come along with us on this journey. I want the Bobcats to become one of the biggest things we have in Brevard and I’m going to do what it takes to make sure that gets done.”
The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball careers.
The Winter Park Storm of the Florida Basketball Association (FBA) spent their inaugural 2019 season gaining a foothold in their home city and going through the typical growing pains you might expect from a first-year franchise. But that didn’t stop them from putting first-class products both on and off the court – and winning over the hearts of a large number of fans in the process.
The Storm’s Braylen Pickens lays one up in traffic.
Storm Coach Barry Mestel believes the winning culture starts at the top and is confident his team is fortunate in that regard. “Our owner, Ernest Jones, sets the tone by creating as much of a professional environment as possible. We have created an exciting brand of entertainment for our fans, and we are very appreciative of them for the support they’ve given us.”
The Storm is one of eight teams in the FBA, which considers itself a developmental league. “Our goal is to help our guys get opportunities to play and be seen,” said Jones, a former FBA player. “Even if they aren’t able to get to the NBA, there are many opportunities overseas for players who still want to play professionally. This is the type of player we look for; someone who is willing to work hard to do what it takes to further their careers and win games in Winter Park with the Storm.”
Jones says his players are fortunate to be coached by someone with Mestel’s resume. “I know firsthand what a fantastic teacher he is. I met him several years back while playing for a team called the Orlando Aces. After that, we crossed paths again when he was training a group of players that included a good friend of mine, Alex Hill. That gave me the opportunity to get to know Coach Mestel even better. So when the opportunity came up with the Storm and I needed a coach, he was the obvious choice. Coach has more than 40 years of experience in the game – many of which were spent at the highest level.”
Mestel began his coaching career at his alma mater in Connecticut, where he compiled a 137-17 record. He then advanced to the college ranks, coaching under the legendary Fred Barakat at Fairfield University. After stints as a head coach at the JUCO level for both men’s and women’s teams in Connecticut, Mestel moved to Florida. Soon after, he met former Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks coach Richie Adubato, then the coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty – and the two became fast friends. Adubato invited him to the Liberty’s training camp to serve as a shooting coach. He later landed a scouting position with the Orlando Magic, working with then-General Manager John Gabriel and Director of Scouting Gary Brokaw.
Mestel and Adubato also co-host a weekly basketball-themed radio show called Full-Court Coverage, Monday evenings at 7pm EST on 96.9 FM in Orlando. The show is currently in its sixth year.
“We have an acronym we abide by with the Storm: ACE. It stands for Attitude, Commitment and Effort. We play for each other and because of that, it doesn’t matter who does the scoring as long as we put the ball through the hoop,” said Mestel, describing his coaching style. “Ernest and I expect complete buy-in from the players. If they cannot commit to the team 100% they will not play. Also, we make practices more demanding that any game could ever be. No team will outwork us and no team will be in better shape.”
Meanwhile, it’s up to Mestel to put his players in the best position to win. “To get positive on-court results from a team, a coach has to look at the players he has and determine what each one does best,” Mestel said. “Then, he exploits those abilities and makes sure what the players do well becomes part of the offensive and defensive game plans.”
The Storm, who play their games at the Winter Park Community Center, plan to continue being active participants in helping the city’s kids become better players – and better young people – once the COVID period is officially over. “We will be re-starting our Youth Basketball Academy, which helps not only improve their athletic skills, but also their life skills,” Mestel explained. “Once a game is over the scoreboard always goes back to 0-0 … but what you learn from the game of basketball – both on and off the court – these are lessons that add up for a lifetime. Whatever we can do off the court to positively influence young lives is just as important as what we do on the court.”
Winter Park Community Center, Home of the Winter Park Storm.
The Winter Park Storm is a Minor League Basketball Team playing in the Florida Basketball Association (FBA). The Storm is committed to having a strong sense of community and service, while upholding a standard of excellence throughout our organization. For more information on the team, please visit www.thestormhoops.com.
“Run! Run! Get back on defense!” yells Brandon Moss, shouting instructions to the kids in his charge at the Florida Flight Basketball Academy in Longwood, Florida. On this day, Moss is the special guest attraction and the young attendees are awestruck, mesmerized by his off-the-charts athleticism and 6’ 8” frame. As for Moss, he’s just happy to be part of the action. “Anyplace where there’s a court and a basketball I’ll be there … and I’ll always have a smile on my face.”
Brandon Moss greets kids during the 2019 Florida Flight China exposure tour.
That’s Brandon Moss in a nutshell.
Arguably the most talented player in the 11-year history of the Florida Flight of the Florida Basketball Association, Moss averaged 30 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game last season as the Flight captured its first FBA championship. “We played for each other. When you see everyone giving their best effort it makes you want do the same for them,” he said. “It was just a really good group of guys to be around.”
Flight Coach Mark King sees Moss not only as an extraordinary talent, but also someone with the passion to be the best. “Many times, a star player is content with just being the most talented player on his team. But that’s not the case with Brandon. He’s chasing greatness, which makes him a lot of fun to coach. Most people recognize Brandon for his high-flying dunks and spectacular blocks, but he’s a complete player who really excels on both ends of the court.”
Born and raised in Alabama, Moss attended Midfield High School. He initially split time between football and basketball but ultimately abandoned the gridiron to focus on hoops full-time despite being a talented prep wide receiver. “I remember the precise moment I made that decision,” he recalls. “I went over the middle to catch a pass and a linebacker lit me up. That quickly led me away from football. By the time basketball season came around I was 6’4” and I knew I was pretty good at it. From then on, basketball was my sport.”
After high school, Moss opted for the JUCO college basketball route and by his sophomore season at Shelton State, he’d drawn the attention of several major schools. But his unwillingness to sit out a season led him to choose NAIA powerhouse LSU Alexandria in Louisiana – where he would be immediately eligible – for his final two seasons. Moss quickly went to work with his new team, setting a school record in points scored as a Junior and leading the Generals to a 31-0 undefeated 2016-17 regular season. He then exceeded those numbers as a Senior by more than 100 points, garnering All-American honors as the team advanced to the NAIA Final game, losing on an overtime buzzer beater to Graceland University.
Brandon Moss earns Player of the Week honors, LSU-Alexandria, Red River Conference.
While at LSUA, Moss forced his way into national prominence by winning the NAIA Slam Dunk championship. “We had just finished a playoff game that afternoon and I only had a couple hours to recover before the dunk contest,” he recalls. “People were asking me if I still wanted to participate. I told them there would be plenty of time to sleep after it was over, so I just gave it everything I had. I lined up my 6’11 and 6’9” teammates and a couple kids from the crowd – and did my famous jump-over.”
It was that same otherworldly athletic ability that captured the attention of every FBA executive in the building at the league’s annual combine in March 2019. “Brandon immediately stood out,” King said. “It took all of about 10 minutes – and me seeing four quick and easy dunks – to initiate a call to his agent.” The contract was signed the next day.
“When I found out the Flight were planning an extended trip to China I was very excited because it was a new way for me to get looks from teams in other countries,” Moss explained. “It was my first opportunity outside the United States. Once we got there, Coach King just told us to have fun and win games … and that’s what we did. Then we came back and won the league championship a few months later. I haven’t regretted joining the Flight for a second.”
Shortly after the conclusion of the FBA season, Moss was invited to attend tryouts for the NBA G League’s South Bay Lakers, the affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. Although he made a strong impression and performed well in several exhibition games, he was among the Lakers’ final roster cuts. “I learned from this experience that professional basketball is a business,” he said. “But being there was great for me because I proved I can compete with some of the best players in the world. It just wasn’t the right fit at that time but I’m determined to find the perfect one for me.”
Brandon Moss with the South Bay Lakers, NBA G-League affiliate for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Moss wasn’t without a team for long, though, as his agent, Tabetha Plummer, found a different opportunity for him. During the Flight’s trip to China he was discovered by a team in Chile, CDU de Concepcion, who kept him on their radar and eventually signed him to be one of the three allotted Americans on their roster.
Though unsure of what to expect at first, Moss thoroughly enjoyed his Chile experience. “In the United States, the fans cheer for you and that’s kind of where it stops. In Chile, they take their basketball very seriously. They’d practically die for you, especially when you’re winning,” Moss said. “We went from about 500 fans per game the year before to about 4,000 last year.”
Moss throws down a between-the-legs dunk on a fast break during a live game in Chile.
CDU de Concepcion languished in last place in the previous season but Moss and his new teammates elevated the team to a second-place regular-season finish. They then proceeded to sweep their first-round playoff series … and while waiting for the other series to end, the COVID pandemic hit the country and abruptly ended their season.
Now 26, Moss has relocated from the West Coast to the Orlando area since coming back from Chile, with a top priority of defending last season’s FBA Championship. “It is my goal to play at the highest level possible. I hope that’s the NBA but if it isn’t and I’m available, I’ll always come home to play for the Florida Flight.”
The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball careers.
(Orlando, FL) – The Florida Basketball Association (FBA) has selected Winter Park, FL-based Weis Words to be its official Content Provider.
Weis Words (www.weiswords.biz) is owned by John Weis, who previously served as Director of Media Relations for the Florida Flight, one of the league’s cornerstone franchises, from 2009-2016. He also spent six seasons as Broadcast Coordinator for the Orlando Magic Radio Network.
Weis Words will provide monthly content focusing on FBA players, coaches, ownership and key staff members; and participate in other league activities as needed.
“John is a gifted writer whose knowledge of the game and familiarity with our league made him the obvious choice,” said Greg Kite, FBA Commissioner. “We have exceptional players, coaches and support staff that make up our league and many of them have highly interesting stories that deserve to be told. John will be in charge of these efforts and he’ll do a fantastic job for us.”
“I am very excited to once again be part of the FBA family, and I thank (FBA Owner) Mark King and Commissioner Kite for this opportunity,” Weis said. “I look forward to bringing a new level of coverage and insider access to the league’s fans.”
The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball careers.
The Florida Basketball Association 
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