ROCKFORD - Rockford will have a new professional basketball team when the American Basketball Association starts its 2011-12 season.

The owners said they hope it catches on and stays as long as the last one did.

"We are so glad to have the opportunity to bring basketball back to Rockford. We looked at how well the Lightning did, and we wanted in," said Leon Smith, co-owner of the franchise along with Alvin Pitts and Melvin Smith. "I went to Lightning games as a kid, and I remember all the players. To me it was a big thing.

"I want that for Rockford again."

At times, the community supported the Rockford Lightning of the Continental Basketball Association until the team folded in 2006, ending a 20-year stint. Rockford's new franchise joins what ABA Commissioner Joe Newman calls "the fastest-growing sports league in the world." The ABA is in its 10th year and will have 60 teams next season.

"I followed the CBA Rockford team, and the way it was conducted, it was the shining star of that league. I'm delighted to have Rockford joining us," Newman said. "The reason why we will not end up like the CBA did is because we have a very aggressive business model. We pay as much attention to what goes on off the court as we do to what goes on on it. We integrate entertainment into the sports world, and we concentrate on the fans and the community."

Smith, the owner of Babbage's Computer Solutions in Rockford and the head basketball coach at Keith Country Day High School, along with his partners, has begun the process of forming the team. A name will be chosen by fans, a website will be designed, a general manager and coach will be hired, and the roster will begin to materialize soon.

He said he's already been contacted by several former high-profile players from the area, and he insists there is plenty of talent still in the area, or willing to migrate here, to make this a competitive team quickly.

"With the talent from this area alone, we can compete. We plan to utilize the Rockford talent right away, and then go from there," Smith said. "And this is just a sports town. We think it will support a good basketball team, and make some of these players really want to play for this team.

"We're getting the buzz going, and we're going to bring this thing to life."

While Newman said there have been ABA players who have moved up to the NBADL or moved on to play internationally, he added that is not the main goal of the league. His focus is on keeping the league not only afloat, but growing.

"The mission of the ABA is to continue to provide good, quality basketball and good entertainment to the community for an affordable price," Newman said. "We really work closely with our communities. And Rockford is certainly going to help.

"I couldn't be more delighted about the new owners, and to be in Rockford."

Staff reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.