4 Reasons You Should Be Attending the Birmingham Squadron Games (Reason 3 Will Make You Cry)

1. The talent. Two words. Professional basketball. In the first season of the Birmingham Squadron (last year), current NBA players Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy, and Jaxson Hayes all suited for the Squadron at some point. This season, former Alabama Crimson Tide star Kira Lewis Jr. played in 9 games with the Squadron where he averaged 16.1 points per game. Lewis is now a member of the Squadron’s NBA affiliate, the New Orleans Pelicans, along with Alvarado, Murphy, and Hayes. Currently, the Pelicans have Dereon Seabron on a two-way contract. He has been transferred back and forth a few times and is likely to be called up permanently by the Pelicans in the near future. As for the rest of the team, the Squadron are led by Kelan Martin, who is averaging 20.3 points per game and Javonte Smart, former LSU player, who is averaging 16.7 points per game. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two current Squadron players, Alabama legends John Petty Jr. and Jordan Swing. Petty played for the Crimson Tide from 2017- 2021 and Swing for UAB from 2011- 2014. Petty and Swing both led the Squadron with the highest free throw percentages last season. 

2. The convenience. Legacy Arena is a 10-20 minute drive from most neighborhoods in Homewood, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia. A hop, skip, and a jump and you are at the newly renovated Legacy Arena. Couldn’t be easier.

3. Zach Hankins. The former Birmingham Squadron Center, listed at 7’0 (but is closer to 7’1) won a championship at Ferris State in 2018 and led the Squadron in shooting percentage and rebounds. In his first and only season, the Birmingham Squadron went on to host a playoff game and ended their inaugural season 5th in their conference. Hankins is currently playing in Israel, but his legacy lives on by those who make the worthwhile journey to the Magic City to support his former team.

4. Ticket prices and parking. Professional basketball in Birmingham only costs you $12-15 depending on the day of week. Talk about a deal. Your best bet is arriving 35 minutes before tip-off and getting your tickets at the door. With affordable ticket prices, families are able to enjoy professional basketball without breaking the bank. As far as parking goes, there are over 10,000 parking spots within a 10 minute walk to the arena. Parking is not a problem. If you are looking for covered parking, I would suggest parking lot “BPA Deck 2” or the Eugene’s Hot Chicken parking deck.

If I could sum it up in three words it would be as follows: Affordable, Professional Basketball. 

Only 7 home games left. Be there.