The Albany Times Union reports that professionial basketball is returning to Albany. A team from the state capitol will compete in the new North American Premier Basketball League. The Albany Patroons played in the Continental Basketball Association and in the United States Basketball League at the Armory in Albany in the early 1980s. NBA head coach Phil Jackson won his first championship ring when he guided the Albany Patroons to the 1984 CBA championship. Many future NBA coaches and players were on the rosters of Patroon teams in the '80s. Both the league and Albany team folded in 2009. Read he full story in the Albany Times Union.