Kristian Ferrell
The Rio Rancho Boys' Basketball team has had a successful run in recent years, with a notable win against Capital High School in 2025, among other victories. The team is set to expand with a new professional basketball team in 2024, playing in The Basketball League (TBL). Led by former NBA player and coach Cliff Levingston, the Rio Rancho squad will consist of 12 players, with one slot designated for a Native American athlete. The TBL's sixth season will commence in March, featuring 52 teams competing from March to July.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Rio Rancho Rams |
| Location | New Mexico |
| League | The Basketball League (TBL) |
| Squad Size | 12 players |
| Start Date | March 2024 |
| Previous Pro Team | New Mexico Thunderbirds (2010-11 season) |
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What You'll Learn
Rio Rancho Varsity Boys Basketball team
The Rio Rancho Varsity Boys Basketball team, also known as the Rio Rancho Rams, is a high school basketball team based in New Mexico. The team has a history of strong performances, with several notable wins and a dedicated player base.
On Friday, January 3, 2025, the Rio Rancho Varsity Boys Basketball team showcased their skills by defeating Capital High School with an impressive score of 84-41. They continued their winning streak on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, with an 89-59 victory against Eldorado High School. The Rams displayed their dominance once again on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, as they triumphed over Hope Christian High School with a remarkable score of 97-56.
Looking back at their performances in December 2024, the team secured a solid win against Manzano High School on December 26, with a score of 83-28 during the Holiday Hoop Classic tournament. However, they faced a close defeat on December 28, losing to La Cueva High School by just four points, with a final score of 63-67 in the Rio Rancho Tournament.
The Rio Rancho Varsity Boys Basketball team bounced back from this minor setback and demonstrated their resilience by defeating Hope Christian High School the very next day, on December 27, 2024. They secured a comfortable 75-51 victory, showcasing their determination and consistent improvement.
The Rio Rancho Varsity Boys Basketball team's performance against Rio Grande High School on December 20, 2024, was particularly noteworthy. They dominated the game and secured a significant 76-34 win, highlighting their strength and skill on the court.
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Rio Rancho Rams
The Rio Rancho Rams is the name of the boys' varsity basketball team at Rio Rancho High School in New Mexico. The team has a successful record, winning several games against other high schools in the region.
On Friday, January 3, 2025, the Rams won against Capital High School with a score of 84-41. They also won their Rio Rancho Tournament game on Friday, December 27, 2024, against Hope Christian High School, with a score of 75-51. The Rams continued their winning streak on Thursday, December 26, 2024, defeating Manzano High School in the Holiday Hoop Classic with a score of 83-28.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the Rams added another victory to their record, beating Hope Christian High School by a significant margin of 97-56. Their winning streak continued on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, with an 89-59 win against Eldorado High School. Earlier, on Friday, December 20, 2024, the Rams had defeated Rio Grande High School with a score of 76-34.
The Rio Rancho Rams have a strong presence in high school basketball in New Mexico, consistently performing well and representing their school with pride.
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The Basketball League
The Rio Rancho team will consist of 12 players, with Levingston designating one slot for a Native American. Tryouts will determine the remaining roster spots, with Levingston expressing his desire to include as much local talent as possible. The team's name will be selected through a local contest.
TBL is dedicated to delivering a world-class professional basketball experience to its community, fans, and business partners. The league has grown significantly since its inception, starting with just eight teams and now boasting 52 teams in its upcoming season. Games are played from March to July, and the Rio Rancho team will join other TBL franchises across the country in competitive, fast-paced basketball action.
Rio Rancho has a history of hosting professional basketball, with the New Mexico Thunderbirds playing their D-League games at the Events Center during the 2010-11 season. The city's new TBL team will bring back professional basketball to the community, providing an exciting opportunity for local fans to engage with the sport once again.
In addition to the professional scene, Rio Rancho also has a vibrant high school basketball culture. The Rio Rancho Rams, representing Rio Rancho High School, regularly compete against other high school teams in the state. With a strong following and talented players, the Rams have achieved notable victories and continue to be a prominent force in New Mexico's high school basketball scene.
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New Mexico Thunderbirds
The New Mexico Thunderbirds were a professional basketball team that played in the D-League, the official minor league organization of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Thunderbirds played their home games at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho during the 2010-11 season. The team was owned by Sam and Jackie Bregman, parents of Houston Astros baseball player Alex Bregman.
The Thunderbirds' coach during their time in Rio Rancho was Darvin Ham, who went on to coach the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. The team's first five seasons were played at Tingley Coliseum, before they moved to Canton, Ohio after the 2010-11 season.
Neil Holmes, who worked for the Thunderbirds, is now part of the front office for the new pro basketball team coming to Rio Rancho in 2024. This new team will be a part of The Basketball League (TBL), which is dedicated to delivering a "World-Class Professional Basketball experience to our community, our fans, and business partners." TBL will be starting its sixth season in March with 52 teams and a Rio Rancho squad consisting of 12 players, including one Native American athlete.
Former NBA player Cliff Levingston, who will be the team's general manager and coach, is excited to bring his experience and success in teaching players how to understand and advance their careers to the new Rio Rancho franchise. With his connections to New Mexico and advice from former UNM football standout Terance Mathis, Levingston is well-positioned to build a strong local presence for the team.
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Cliff Levingston
Levingston played for the Detroit Pistons from 1982 to 1984 and then joined the Atlanta Hawks, where he played from 1984 to 1990. He was part of the championship-winning Chicago Bulls teams of 1990-1991 and 1991-1992. During his NBA career, he played alongside notable players like Spud Webb, Tree Rollins, and Dominique Wilkins.
After his playing career, Levingston transitioned into coaching. He led the Kokomo, Indiana BobKats in the 2023 season and is currently the head coach of the Santa Ana Thunder in The Basketball League (TBL), which is based in Rio Rancho. Levingston is focused on promoting local talent and plans to hire local staff for his team. He emphasizes teaching players how to understand and play the game effectively, which has contributed to his success as a coach.
Levingston has experience playing basketball in New Mexico. His Wichita State University (WSU) Shockers played home-and-home series against New Mexico State University during his college career. He has also received advice about the Rio Rancho market from former UNM football standout Terance Mathis, who is a friend of his.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is a boys' basketball team at Rio Rancho High School. The team is called the Rio Rancho Rams.
The Rio Rancho Varsity Boys Basketball team is in the Varsity division.
The Rio Rancho Varsity Boys Basketball team has had a winning streak in recent games. On 8 January 2025, they beat Hope Christian High School with a score of 97-56. On 7 January 2025, they defeated Eldorado High School with a score of 89-59.
Yes, Rio Rancho has previously had a professional basketball team. In the 2010-11 season, the New Mexico Thunderbirds played their D-League games at the Rio Rancho Events Center, then known as the Santa Ana Star Center.
