The Western Basketball Association was formed in 1978 and played for one season during 1978-79. Organized by Larry Cregar, a former assistant coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA), and real estate developer Neil Christianson. The seven-team league included the Fresno Stars, Great Falls (Montana) Sky, Las Vegas Dealers, Reno Bighorns, Salt Lake City Prospectors, Tucson Gunners, and Washington (Tri-City) Lumberjacks In the finals, Brown's Gunners defeated Reno, which was coached by Bill Musselman, four games to three.