Professional basketball will return to Oklahoma City this fall, although it will be a different league

AP

The
Continental Basketball Association said Wednesday it will place an expansion
franchise next season in

Oklahoma City,
where the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets played most of their home games the past
two seasons following Hurricane Katrina.

“We
are very excited about being a part of the CBA,” majority owner Baron Hopgood
said in a statement released by the league. “Joining the CBA creates an
opportunity to keep professional basketball in

Oklahoma City with an established and
credible league.

”

Oklahoma City loves
basketball and our team will provide exciting and competitive professional
basketball for the city.”

Oklahoma City

previously hosted a CBA team, the
Cavalry, from 1990-97.

“We
are glad to be able to bring

Oklahoma
City back into the CBA,” CBA director of
operations Dennis Truax said. “Baron Hopgood will bring his business
expertise and extensive business contacts to the CBA and we expect this
franchise to be successful on and off the court.”

The team
will have former

Oklahoma City

University basketball player
Brian Hopgood as general manager and assistant coach.