SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs, along with the NBA and adidas, will celebrate the American Basketball Association’s (ABA) 45th anniversary during the NBA Hardwood Classics series. As part of the celebration, which tips off Feb. 1, the Spurs, along with eight other teams – the Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and New Jersey Nets – will recognize the anniversary by wearing commemorative uniforms and hosting special in-arena events. The NBA Hardwood Classics series will feature 38 games in February and March.

The uniforms, made in conjunction with adidas, the league’s official outfitter, will feature designs from the team’s storied past or as originally worn by the former ABA franchises in their geographic region. The Spurs will wear the uniform of the Dallas Chaparrals, who were one of the original 11 ABA franchises. Other teams include the Charlotte Bobcats (Carolina Cougars), Los Angeles Clippers (Los Angeles Stars), Memphis Grizzlies (Memphis Tams), Miami Heat (Miami Floridians), Minnesota Timberwolves (Minnesota Muskies) and New Jersey Nets (New York Nets).

The Chaparrals played six seasons in Dallas from 1967 to 1973. During the summer of 1973 a group of San Antonio businessmen led by Red McCombs, Angelo Drossos, John Schaefer and Art Burdick negotiated a three-year deal to lease the Chaparrals and move the team to San Antonio. The ownership group consisting of 35 stockholders changed the name of the team to the Spurs. Later that year, as support grew for the team, the stockholders arranged to purchase the team from the Dallas group and make San Antonio a permanent home. The Spurs played three seasons in the ABA before joining the NBA in 1976, along with the Nuggets, Pacers and Nets.

The Spurs will wear the Chaparrals uniforms in three games, Feb. 11 at New Jersey, Feb. 18 at L.A. Clippers and March 31 when they host the Indiana Pacers.

Spurs fans wishing to purchase commemorative Chaparrals gear can visit the Spurs fan shop beginning in March. Jerseys from every team will be available to purchase on nbastore.com beginning Feb. 2.