Washington Times
UPI
07 June 2004

Indianapolis, IN, Jun. 7 (UPI) -- The American Basketball Association is adding an expansion team based out of Albuquerque, N.M., comprised exclusively of Native American players. 

League co-founder Joe Newman made the announcement Monday. 

The team's owner, CEO and president is WS Spider Ledesma II of the Mission tribe, who is of Mexican-Indian ancestry. Ledesma played professionally in Europe and attended NBA Veteran's Camp in 1987 and 1988. 

"We've been working with Spider Ledesma for over a year, trying to put together an organization and team for Native America," Newman said. "With diversity a key ABA goal, we can't think of anything more fitting. We are very proud to have a team named 'Native America' in the ABA and playing in the great city of Albuquerque." 

Players of North American Indian descent can try out for the team at various regional tryouts scheduled between July 10 in Billings, Mont., and Aug. 21 in Phoenix, Ariz.