Photo | Courtesy of A.J. Stephens
A.J. “Beast” Stephens and La' Toya Bentick, co-founders of Beast 'Em Basketball Training Academy in Framingham
December 10, 2020
New ABA team will come to Worcester for 2021-22 season
The WooSox aren’t the only new sports team coming to town. A new American Basketball Association team plans to make Worcester its home starting November 2021.
The yet unnamed basketball team is owned by Beast 'Em Basketball Training Academy of Framingham, a nonprofit co-founded by longtime student basketball coach A.J. “Beast” Stephens and La' Toya Bentick, the nonprofit’s president.
Stephens will oversee the new team as its president and general manager, according to Stephens. Worcester resident Bruce Marchand will serve as the team’s head coach.
The new team has recruited Worcester Bravehearts director of production Donald Porcor Jr. to serve as community relations and game day operations director.
Once off the ground, Stephens’ team will compete in the ABA’s northeast region against teams from New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
In an ABA press release, Stephens said they plan to hold a local contest to decide on the team’s name. Meanwhile, owners are exploring possible partnerships for practice locations, including St. Bernard's Catholic Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish in Worcester. All Worcester colleges and universities are open for consideration for home game venues.
The most recent ABA team to operate in Worcester were the Worcester 78s, who most recently played the 2018-2019 season. They changed their name to the North Shore 78s before announcing in a 2019 Facebook post the team would end.
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