Kentucky Colonels (NCAA)

Kentucky Colonels was an independent professional basketball team based in Louisville that played from 1967 to 1976, primarily in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Although not part of the NCAA, it is notable for its connection to college basketball, especially the University of Kentucky's coach Adolph Rupp, who influenced its formation. The team attracted top local talent and innovative play, helping popularize professional basketball outside the NBA. The Colonels are remembered for their excellence on the court and for their role in the growth of professional basketball in the United States before the ABA-NBA merger.