Delaware 87ers
| File:Delaware Blue Coats logo.svg Logo of the Delaware Blue Coats | |
| Company type | Professional basketball franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports |
| Predecessor | Utah Flash, Delaware 87ers |
| Founded | 2007 (as Utah Flash) |
| Headquarters | Wilmington , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Josh Harris, David Blitzer (owners) |
| Products | Basketball team |
| Owner | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment |
| Parent | Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment |
| Website | www |
The Delaware Blue Coats represent a professional basketball franchise competing in the NBA G League, located in Wilmington, Delaware. They function as the official G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers and host their home contests at Chase Fieldhouse. Ownership resides with Josh Harris and David Blitzer through their company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), which also controls the 76ers.
Originally established in 2007 as the Utah Flash with ties to the Utah Jazz, the organization was purchased by the 76ers in April 2013 and subsequently relocated to Newark, Delaware. There, they competed under the name Delaware 87ers—often called the Sevens—until 2018. Following this period, the franchise shifted to Wilmington and adopted the Delaware Blue Coats identity. The team achieved a major accomplishment by winning the 2022–23 G League championship, marking a landmark success in their competitive journey.
Utah Flash
In 2004, entrepreneur Brandt Andersen from Utah secured rights for a new NBA Development League franchise, which commenced play in 2007 in Orem, Utah at the McKay Events Center. The team name "Flash" was selected through a fan contest that received over 21,000 votes. The franchise maintained strong NBA partnerships, primarily aligning with the Utah Jazz, who appointed David Fredman—a former assistant coach and scouting director for Utah—and Brad Jones, a regional scout linked to long-time Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, as head coach. Initially, the Boston Celtics also served as affiliates.
During their debut season, guard Morris Almond set and then surpassed the D-League scoring record with performances of 51 and 53 points in separate outings, finishing as the league’s top scorer with a 25.6 points per game average. In July 2008, Fredman returned to Utah as a scout while Jones took on dual responsibilities as head coach and general manager. By 2009, affiliation shifted as the Celtics partnered with the Maine Red Claws, and the Atlanta Hawks joined forces with the Flash.
On December 8, 2009, a sold-out event featured a halftime charity exhibition falsely advertised to include Michael Jordan, but it was later revealed to be a prank involving an impersonator. Brad Jones stepped down as head coach in September 2010, with Kevin Young—previously assistant coach and director of basketball operations—assuming the role.
Despite ranking second in NBADL attendance during the 2010–2011 season—drawing over 100,000 spectators at an average of 4,237 per game—the Flash suspended operations after that season. Financial difficulties persisted due to challenges attracting sponsorships amid competition from both the Jazz and local minor league baseball team Orem Owlz, ultimately leading Andersen to divest his ownership stake.
Delaware 87ers
After a two-year hiatus, on April 27, 2013, ownership transferred to the Philadelphia 76ers, who rebranded the team as the Delaware 87ers. The name pays homage to Delaware’s distinction as the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787. Home games were held on the campus of the University of Delaware, with Aaron Moszer—formerly assistant VP of sales and marketing at Ripken Baseball Inc.—appointed as team president.
In September 2013, Brandon Williams was named the franchise’s inaugural general manager for its Delaware era, while Rod Baker took on head coaching duties for their first season. The team concluded their debut campaign with a 12–38 record. Two players earned Gatorade Call-Ups: Kendall Marshall was called up by the Los Angeles Lakers and Vander Blue by the Boston Celtics. Additionally, Thanasis Antetokounmpo became their first NBA draftee when selected 51st overall by the New York Knicks.
In August 2014, the organization unveiled Caesar—a fox mascot inspired by Delaware’s state animal and Revolutionary War figure Caesar Rodney. Prior to the start of the 2014–15 season, Baker transitioned into a scouting role for the Sixers; he was succeeded by Kevin Young as head coach. Under Young’s leadership, performance improved to a 20–30 record with a seventh-place ranking in D-League scoring. On April 10, 2015, Delaware earned recognition from the Delaware Small Business Chamber with both the Merit Award for Emerging Business of the Year and Voter's Choice Award for Community Involvement.
The following season saw offensive records broken when four players scored at least 45 points in individual games—a D-League first. Notably, Jordan McRae set a new single-game scoring high with 61 points before it was surpassed by Russ Smith, who scored 65 points. McRae and Sean Kilpatrick were named All-Stars; all three players including Christian Wood received NBA call-ups. Despite losing key contributors midseason, the team finished with a 21–29 record aided by former NBA All-Star Baron Davis, who played six games at season’s end.
Delaware Blue Coats
Beginning with the 2018–19 campaign, the franchise adopted the name Delaware Blue Coats, paying tribute to the 1st Delaware Regiment, famously known as the "Delaware Blues," and their role in the Revolutionary War. The team’s emblem features Caesar Rodney, commemorating his legendary ride that secured Delaware’s pivotal vote for independence. This rebranding coincided with the inauguration of the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington. On September 20, 2018, general manager Elton Brand was elevated to the GM position of the Philadelphia 76ers.
During the 2020–21 NBA G League season, the Blue Coats advanced to the championship round but were defeated by the Lakeland Magic. Following this, GM Matt Lilly was dismissed and head coach Connor Johnson stepped down. Prosper Karangwa, serving as Sixers VP of player personnel, took over GM responsibilities, while Coby Karl, formerly head coach of the South Bay Lakers, was named head coach.
In the 2022–23 season, Delaware returned to the NBA G League Finals after overcoming Long Island, becoming the first team since the Santa Cruz Warriors to reach three straight Finals appearances. On April 6, 2023, they captured their inaugural NBA G League title by sweeping the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, avenging their previous finals defeat.
Season-by-season
| Season | Division | Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Wins | Losses | Pct. | ||||||
| Utah Flash | |||||||||
| 2007–08 | Western | 3rd | 24 | 26 | Template:Winpct | ||||
| 2008–09 | Western | 1st | 32 | 18 | Template:Winpct | Won First Round (Bakersfield) 94–81 Won Semifinals (Dakota) 103–93 Lost D-League Finals (Colorado) 0–2 | |||
| 2009–10 | Western | 4th | 28 | 22 | Template:Winpct | Lost First Round (Iowa) 1–2 | |||
| 2010–11 | Western | 5th | 28 | 22 | Template:Winpct | Lost First Round (Iowa) 1–2 | |||
| colspan="10" style="Template:NBA color cell;"|Delaware 87ers | |||||||||
| 2013–14 | Eastern | 6th | 12 | 38 | Template:Winpct | ||||
| 2014–15 | Atlantic | 4th | 20 | 30 | Template:Winpct | ||||
| 2015–16 | Atlantic | 4th | 21 | 29 | Template:Winpct | ||||
| 2016–17 | Atlantic | 2nd | 26 | 24 | Template:Winpct | ||||
| 2017–18 | Southeast | 4th | 16 | 34 | Template:Winpct | ||||
| colspan="10" style="Template:NBA color cell;"|Delaware Blue Coats | |||||||||
| 2018–19 | Atlantic | 4th | 21 | 29 | Template:Winpct | ||||
| 2019–20 | Atlantic | 2nd | 22 | 21 | Template:Winpct | 'Season cancelled by COVID-19 pandemic' | |||
Head coaches
| # | Head coach | Tenure | Regular season | Playoffs | Notable accomplishments | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | Win% | G | W | L | Win% | ||||
| 1 | Brad Jones | 2007–2010 | 150 | 84 | 66 | Template:Winpct | 6 | 3 | 3 | Template:Winpct | |
| 2 | Kevin Young | 2010–2011 | 50 | 28 | 22 | Template:Winpct | 3 | 1 | 2 | Template:Winpct | |
| 3 | Rod Baker | 2013–2014 | 50 | 12 | 38 | Template:Winpct | — | — | — | — | |
| 4 | Kevin Young | 2014–2016 | 100 | 41 | 49 | .410 | — | — | — | — | |
| 5 | Eugene Burroughs | 2016–2018 | 100 | 42 | 58 | .420 | — | — | — | — | |
| 6 | Connor Johnson | 2018–2021 | 108 | 53 | 55 | Template:Winpct | 3 | 2 | 1 | Template:Winpct | |
| 7 | Coby Karl | 2021–2023 | 64 | 42 | 22 | Template:Winpct | 9 | 7 | 2 | Template:Winpct | |
| 8 | Mike Longabardi | 2023–present | 68 | 33 | 35 | Template:Winpct | 2 | 1 | 1 | Template:Winpct | |
Utah Flash
- Boston Celtics (2007–2009)
- Atlanta Hawks (2009–2011)
- Utah Jazz (2007–2011)
Delaware 87ers/Blue Coats
- Philadelphia 76ers (2013–present)