Step back in time with this authentic Worcester Counts Basketball team t-shirt, celebrating one of the most fascinating short-lived franchises in World Basketball League history. The Counts took Massachusetts by storm during their brief but memorable 1989 season, bringing professional basketball excitement to the heart of Worcester.
The Worcester Counts burst onto the basketball scene in May 1989 as an expansion franchise in the innovative World Basketball League. Playing their home games at the Worcester Centrum, the Counts joined a growing list of professional sports teams that attempted to establish themselves in Worcester, including the Bay State Bombardiers of the Continental Basketball Association. The team made its debut on May 10, 1989, with an exciting 115-114 victory over the Youngstown Pride in front of an impressive crowd of 7,056 fans, many of whom attended thanks to a massive distribution of free tickets by the team's PR director.
Despite their brief existence, the Counts featured several notable basketball personalities that added legitimacy to the franchise. Keith Smart, the former Indiana University star who hit the game-winning shot for the Hoosiers in the 1987 NCAA Championship Game, was among the team's most recognizable players. The coaching staff included assistant coach Norm Van Lier, a three-time NBA All-Star point guard who had starred with the Chicago Bulls during the 1970s. The team also competed with the WBL's distinctive white globe basketball that featured all the continents painted in maroon, reflecting the league's international aspirations.
The Worcester Counts played their final game on August 25, 1989, falling to the Illinois Express 155-122, bringing an end to their single-season existence. Like many minor league teams of the era, the Counts struggled with attendance after their well-attended opener, facing challenges that included an unusual schedule featuring international opponents like the Estonian National Team and Computerij of Holland, which collectively posted a dismal 1-49 record against WBL clubs during the summer of 1989. Though short-lived, the Worcester Counts represent a fascinating chapter in both the city's sports history and the story of minor league basketball experimentation in America.
This premium quality throwback tee features the iconic Worcester Counts logo on the front, reproduced with a deliberately distressed, cracked, vintage feel that captures the nostalgic essence of this beloved team. The back remains blank, keeping the focus on the legendary emblem that represents a brief but memorable experiment in Massachusetts basketball history.
Product Specifications:
- Printed on premium Gildan 5000
- 5.3 oz, 100% preshrunk cotton for comfort and durability
- Tear-away label for maximum comfort
- Classic unisex fit looks great on everyone
- Available in sizes S-5XL
- Variety of popular colors available
- Created using cutting-edge direct-to-garment printing technology for exceptional detail and wash-resistance
Whether you were there cheering from the stands at the Worcester Centrum during their brief but memorable run, or you're just discovering the legend of the Worcester Counts, this shirt lets you carry a piece of Massachusetts basketball history wherever you go.
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