The Bakersfield Jam are an expansion franchise of the National Basketball Association Development League (D-League) that began play in 2006-07. They play their home games at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California, United States.
Founded in the new American Basketball Association (ABA) as the Long Beach Jam, they were coached in their inaugural season by Earl Cureton. Former members include Dennis Rodman, Derrick Dial, Joaquin Hawkins, Yuta Tabuse, and DerMarr Johnson. They were the ABA champions in 2004.
In May 2005, the Long Beach Jam withdrew from the ABA, citing a lack of stability and structure within the league. As a result, they applied for admission into the D-League for the 2006-07 season and relocated to Bakersfield.
In 2007, there was a contest where the fans could decide on a new name for the team. The choices were to rename the team Desperados, Roughnecks, Oilers, or keep the name Jam. On Thursday, May 17, the team announced that the team will remain the Bakersfield Jam, as that name won the poll in a landslide vote. http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3471293
