NBDL cuts Greenville, Mobile teams, to go with six franchises

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The National Basketball Development League will not field teams in Greenville and Mobile next season, leaving six squads when it starts play in the fall.

Mobile, which won the championship this year, was folded. Greenville, which won the inaugural title in 2002, will be re-evaluated and could return for the 2004-05 season.

The remaining league teams are in North Charleston; Asheville and Fayetteville, N.C.; Roanoke, Va.; Huntsville, Ala.; and Columbus, Ga. The NBDL is the NBA's minor league for players 20 years and older.

Greenville made headlines two years after hiring Stephanie Ready, who became the first female assistant coach of a pro men's basketball team. NBDL president Phil Evans said Ready would continue to be paid by the league and reassigned if an opening comes up.

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