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Santa Cruz Warriors Named 2018 NBA G League “Franchise of the Year”

The Santa Cruz Warriors were named the NBA G League’s 2017-18 “Franchise of the Year.”

By Keith Schlosser
NBA: Playoffs-San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Always looking for new ways to recognize those who embrace the NBA G League’s core values, the minor league announced its winner for the first ever “Franchise of the Year” award: the 2017-18 Santa Cruz Warriors.

Since winning the 2014-15 championship, Santa Cruz hasn’t exactly had success similar to that of their NBA affiliate in Golden State as it relates to on-the-court competition. Nevertheless, the organization has continued to act as a community advocate, their fans demonstrate passionate support, and the team groomed two-way player turned key rotation piece Quinn Cook for a deep playoff run on the big league hardwood.

Here are some seasonal highlights, as outlined by the NBA G League:

  • The affiliate of the Golden State Warriors was among the league leaders in ticket sales, corporate partnerships and merchandise sales and extended the franchise’s sellout streak that began in 2015-16 to 59 games. On Jan. 28, Santa Cruz played at Oracle Arena, home of the Golden State Warriors, to a crowd of 15,528 fans.
  • The franchise continued its commitment to the surrounding Santa Cruz community with more than 200 events and speaking opportunities featuring Warriors players, coaches and front office executives. Local causes included the United Way’s Stuff the Bus program, the City of Santa Cruz Streets Smarts bike safety campaign and the annual Warriors River Cleanup. Through a partnership with Kaiser Permanente and Nordic Naturals, the team hosted Get Fit Time-Out Basketball Clinics for more than 1,000 local youth, while the Read to Achieve program engaged 4,100 students at eight Santa Cruz schools.
  • On the court, two-way guard Quinn Cook started 18 regular-season games for the defending NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. A 2017-18 All-NBA G League First Team selection, Cook was signed by Golden State to a multi-year contract on April 10 and is currently competing in the 2018 NBA Playoffs

As Golden State moves on to the Western Conference Finals, Cook is averaging 6.6 points on 42% shooting from the field.