The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced the Groove as one of the NBDL's charter franchises in July 2001.[1] On August 16, 2001, the team announced that Stephanie Ready would serve as the team's lone assistant coach in becoming the first woman to serve as a coach on an all-male professional basketball team.[2]Milton Barnes served as head coach of the first season and won the championship before leaving to become coach of the Harlem Globetrotters.[3] The team had won the inaugural NBDL title in defeating the North Charleston Lowgators two games to zero.[4]
Tree Rollins was tapped to serve as the new head coach. However, the league contracted the franchise in June 2003.[5] Its contraction was carried out by the league due to low attendance and increasing operating losses.[6]