Jersey Express Basketball
Formerly 'Garden State Warriors'
The Jersey Express Professional Basketball Team has been in existence since 2005, and play in the Historic American Basketball Association (ABA). We continue to be committed to becoming an integral part of the communities in which we play. Our Community service efforts are what we are most proud of, and would like to continue to grow.
Ø 2005: Purchased the NJ territory and launched the Newark Express
o Hired Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins as the 1st Head Coach of the franchise
o We were commissioned Newark’s team, and added us to the City’s website as a destination
o BOMBO Sports & Entertainment (www.bombo.com) signed on to do a Documentary/Pilot. They documented our 1st season in the ABA, and it is still in there catalog of projects.
o Signed Shaheen Holloway, former Seton Hall star, and now Assistant Coach at Iona College to be the teams 1st and starting point guard.
o Signed Rasheed Sparks form Newark, NJ as the teams star player
o Participated in the playoffs
- Sent 6 players overseas to continue their professional careers
2006: Hired Ron Moore (former Detroit Piston) as new Head Coach
o Missed the playoffs
o Lost 2 players to overseas signings
- Partnered with renowned Orthopedic Surgeons Dr. James M. Lee Sr. & Jr. “Official Physicians”
2007: Changed name to the Jersey Express, to incorporate ALL of New Jersey
o Partnered with the NJ Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, in an effort to help offset childhood obesity
o Partnered with several Not-for-Profit Organizations to help in the growth of our Communities
o Participated in the playoffs
o Lost 4 players to overseas signings
2008: Hired Jerry “Ice” Reynolds as Head Coach (former Orlando Magic player)
o Extended the relationship with team Orthopedic Surgeons Dr. James. Lee Sr. & Jr.
2009: Finished our 4th season in the ABA, by making the final 8 in the playoffs
o Participated in the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Family Day
o ABA signed a deal with NASCAR driver Danny O’QUINN to have the ABA LOGO on its Race Car and marketing material
* Promoted long-time Assistant Coach Quaasim Austin to Head Coach
* Hired Casaundra Smith as Assistant Coach
* ABA signed a Cable TV Deal with Versus TV www.versus.com
* Partnered with Newark Downtown Radio to provide LIVE webcasting of ALL home games www.newarkdowntownradio.com
2010: Named Cassndra Smith, Head Coach
- 2009-2010 Northeast Division Champions
- Elite 8 Playoff Appearance
- 3 Players named to ABA All Star team
- 3 Players named to the ABA All Rookie team
- Ahmad Mosby named ABA League Rookie of the Year
- Devin Davis & Anotinne Morgano - All ABA Team
- Participated in the ESPN/Tribeca Sports Family Fun Day
2011: Chengdu Invitational Basketball Tournament, Chengdu China
- Kayode Ayeni named to ABA All Star Team
- Kayode Ayeni won 2010-2011 ABA All Star Game MVP
- Kayode Ayeni NY Knicks Tryout
- Henan Invitational Basketball Tournament, Henan China (Hunan)
- Playoff berth for 4th straight season
- Named Luther Wright Player Development Life Strengthening & Big Man Coach
- Terry Dehere named Head Coach
2012: Became the ONLY Professional Basketball Team in the State of NJ (Nets moved to Brooklyn)
- Joseph Amador named Head Coach
- Time Warner Live Broadcast
2013: Ray Ortiz named Head Coach
- Almin Hodzic signed after returning from Bosnia & Germany overseas
- Almin Hodzic name ABA All Star
- Playoff berth 5th straight season
2014 ABA Playoffs
- ABA Elite8 Appearamce
2015: Antoine Obery ABA All Star
2016: ABA Playoff Appearance
- Antoine Obery ABA All Star
- Jason Smith ABA All Star
2017: ABA Playoff appearance
- Antoine Obery ABA All Star
- Jessie Jones ABA All Star
- Jessie Jones ABA All Star 3pt Shooting Contest Champion
2018: ABA Playoff appearance
- Antoine Obery ABA All Star
- Antoine Obery ABA MVP Runner-up
- Antoine Obery Selected to participate in ABA Gold
- Donald Hennie selected for ABA All Star 3pt shooting Contest
- Travis Conyers selected for ABA All Star skills challenge
- Donald Hennie recorded is 1st Triple Double
2019: ABA Playoff appearance
- Antoine Obery ABA All Star
- Elijah Thorpe took over as Head Coach
2020: Elijah Thorpe – Head Coach & GM
- Doionique Jones added to roster (USA 3x3 Champion)
- Antoinne Morgano – MVP candidate (39pts,11rbds avg)
- Joe Nickerson recorded the 1st Quadruple Double – 36pts, 13rbds, 10asts, 11sts
- COVID19 – Playoffs Cancelled
2021: Officially Changed Team Name – Garden State Warriors
- Dominique Jones ABA All Star
- ABA Playoffs
2022-23: Trevor Stanley Named Head Coach
- Dominique Jones ABA All Star & All Star Game MVP
- ABA Playoffs Quarterfinals
- Antoine Obery, Chris Mosely, Dominique Jones (Northeast Region All Stars
2023-24:
- Dominique Jones ABA All Star
- Antoine Obery & Denzel Banks ABA All Star Honorable Mentions
- ABA Playoffs
- Elijah Thorpe returned as Assistant Head Coach
2024-25: Returned to the Jerrsey Express Team Name
IG @jerseyexpressaba www.RealABALeague.com
