This premium West Virginia Wheels Basketball tee commemorates an obscure piece of basketball history. The West Virginia Wheels were part of the short-lived All-American Basketball Alliance (AABA), a minor league basketball organization that lasted less than a month in January 1978 before folding in early February.
The team gained initial popularity among basketball enthusiasts in Wheeling as the Wheels made their debut on January 11, 1978, by defeating the Kentucky Stallions 109-107 at the Wheeling Civic Center. Local fans were drawn to the promise of professional basketball in their city and the team's dramatic come-from-behind victories. However, attendance issues plagued the franchise from the start, with only 1,108 fans attending their home opener. Financial troubles and severe winter weather led to three consecutive late January home games being cancelled when scheduled opponents couldn't afford to travel to Wheeling. The league ultimately collapsed after less than a month of play, with the Wheels playing their final game on January 31, 1978, finishing with a 3-8 record.
Our reproduction features the team's iconic logo with an authentically distressed, cracked, vintage feel that honors the original design while giving it that perfectly worn-in look of a treasured game-day shirt from the late '70s.
Product Details:
- Printed on premium Gildan 5000 blanks
- 5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk cotton for comfort and durability
- Classic unisex fit suitable for all fans
- Tear-away label for maximum comfort
- Available in sizes S-5XL
- Multiple popular colors available
- Front logo only (blank back)
- Produced using state-of-the-art direct-to-garment printing technology
Perfect for West Virginia sports enthusiasts, basketball history buffs, minor league memorabilia collectors, or anyone who appreciates the fascinating stories of short-lived sports franchises.
Own a piece of basketball history from a league that flashed across the sports landscape for just one fleeting month in 1978.