April 21, 2021
With the addition of a handful of new franchises in The Basketball League (TBL), Omaha will be getting a pro basketball team. This team will go by the name, Omaha’s Finest.
This team is built of players and a staff of people from all over the Omaha area, including numerous connection to Central. The most notable of which being, coach Eric Behrens will be the head coach for the Omaha’s Finest.
When asked on why he took this job Behrens said, “I just felt it was a good opportunity. It does help that many of my former players will be on the team.”
This summer basketball league will feature players from all over the Omaha metro. Central alum, Tre’Shawn Thurman who is an ex – G League and NBA player is featured on the team, and he played under Behrens in high school.
This team features many other players from Nebraska, like Tychius Anderson, Devin Patterson and Brandon Jones who played under coach Behrens at Peru State.
This league provides these players with a path to get the next level. Smaller leagues like this one offer a good salary and an opportunity to collect film to show to coaches and general managers from other leagues.
Coach Behrens wanted to be a larger part of the basketball community in Omaha, and the summer schedule aligns perfectly with his work schedule at central.
Omaha’s Finest also has some former NBA players. Tre’Shawn Thurman formerly had a contract with the Detroit Pistons, and Craig Sword also formerly had a contract with the Pistons.
One of the hopes of having this team in Omaha is that it could help to build up the basketball community in Omaha. Having a professional team here attracts talent from all over the country.
The most notable part about the league is the one million dollar post season that caps off the regular season. Two years ago Omaha threw together a team for this tournament, which eventually became the reason we have a team now.
That team was highlighted by NBA player, former Omaha North graduate and former Creighton Bluejay Justin Patton. Although they ultimately lost, it opened the door for Omaha to now receive this team.
With the season starting in about two months, many decisions still need to be made. Where the team will play, and their schedule have both not been finalized yet but will be soon. The Omaha’s Finest inaugural season hopes to attract interest from players all over the world, and to possibly present itself as an opportunity to players from all over the state of Nebraska.
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