All-white basketball league proposed

ATLANTA, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A former pro wrestling promoter in Georgia says he's looking to start up an all-white pro basketball league.

The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle reported Don "Moose" Lewis announced he is launching the All-American Basketball Alliance. He says he hopes the Atlanta-based league will have a dozen teams in the South and begin play in June.

"Only players that are natural born United States citizens with both parents of Caucasian race are eligible to play in the league," Lewis said in a statement.

That's right: N(o blacks, no foreigners.

"There's nothing hatred about what we're doing," Lewis told the Chronicle. "I don't hate anyone of color. But people of white, American-born citizens are in the minority now. Here's a league for white players to play fundamental basketball, which they like."

That concept doesn't resonate with everyone. Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver said he "could not support in good conscience" support an all-white team.

Augusta State University Athletic Director Clint Bryant is another who probably would be going to any AABA games.

"It's so absurd, it's funny, but it gives you an idea of the sickness of our society" he said. "It shows you what lengths people will go to just to be mean-spirited."

Lewis has a ways to go to get his league off the ground. He's looking for local investors to pay $10,000 to become licensees and doesn't know where the teams will play, the Chronicle said.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also noted Thursday the league has no Web site and efforts to reach Lewis at the phone number on his release were unsuccessful.