Midwest Professional Basketball League


The Midwest Professional Basketball League was a professional basketball league. The six team league existed for three seasons, playing from 1961-1962 through 1963-1964 until the league folded after the 1964 season.

History and Franchises

The league was composed of six teams per season, The founding teams were: Battle Creek Warriors, Dayton Little Mickeys, East Chicago Bombers, Gary Whips, Terre Haute All-Stars and Toledo Twisters. The Whips had the best league record at 9-4.
In 1962-1963, Battle Creek and Terre Haute did not have teams, replaced by Holland and Grand Rapids. The second season teams therefore were: Chicago Bombers, Dayton Mickeys, Grand Rapids Tackers, Gary Whips, Holland Oilers and Toledo Tartans. Holland defeated Toledo for the MPBL Championship.
In 1963-1964, the league fielded five teams and dropped to four, with the season divided into halves. Gary folded after the first half. The five beginning teams were: Battle Creek Warriors, Chicago Bombers, Gary Steelers, Grand Rapids Tackers and Holland Oilers. Grand Rapids won both halves and played the Allentown Jets of the Eastern Professional Basketball League in a post season championship. Allentown won 128-126.

Notable alumni

Battle Creek Warriors 1961-62, 1963-64
East Chicago Bombers 1961-62,

Chicago Bombers 1962-63 to 1963-64
Dayton Little Mickeys 1961-62,
Dayton Mickeys 1962-63
Gary Steelers 1963-64,
Gary Whips 1961-62 to 1962-63
Grand Rapids Tackers 1962-63 to 1963-64
Holland Oilers 1962-63 to 1963-64
Terre Haute All-Stars 1961-62
Toledo Twisters 1961-62,
Toledo Tartans 1962-63