Fans can submit prospective team names online at www.orlandomagic.com/lakeland from Jan. 9-20.

Remember the Blue Ducks?

Lakeland’s last professional basketball team, the Blue Ducks played at The Lakeland Center as a part of the United States Basketball League. They were owned by former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr., who just so happened to also be the team’s starting point guard.

They lasted a year, and when basketball season ended so went the Blue Ducks.

But basketball is back in Lakeland — this time, in a much more stable position — and fans will have an opportunity to help name the Orlando Magic’s new minor league affiliate.

Currently the Lakeland NBA Developmental League Team, the Magic announced a ‘Name the Team’ contest on Monday.

Fans can submit prospective team names online at www.orlandomagic.com/lakeland from Jan. 9-20. The Magic will then select the winner from the fan-submitted ideas.

“We are excited to give fans an opportunity to play a part in deciding the nickname of the team and look forward to reviewing the submissions,” said Joel Glass, the Magic’s chief communications officer.

Online naming contests have produced some unusual results in the past.

Boaty McBoatface, a name suggested facetiously for a British research ship last year, went from harmless joke to overwhelming favorite in a vote to name the vessel. The results were not taken, and the boat is now called the R.R.S. Sir David Attenborough.

The final stamp of approval belongs to the Magic, so even if Swanny McLakeland Face somehow fills the online suggestion box, the team can veto it for a more appropriate name.

Southeastern head basketball coach R-Jay Barsh, one of the bigger basketball fans you’ll find, can’t wait for the team to get rolling. Born just outside Seattle in Tacoma, Wash., Barsh spent time earlier in his early career working with some current NBA players from the Seattle area.

He also saw his team — the SuperSonics — leave Seattle for Oklahoma City in 2008.

“I think it’s a great thing for the community,” Barsh said. “I remember growing up and having the Sonics. You love the Sonics and you don’t realize how much you love them till they’re gone. The impact it makes on the local community to have a pro sports team goes a long way.”

Barsh said this is the best time to bring professional basketball to Lakeland because of the success we’ve seen at the small college and high school levels.

His Southeastern men made the NAIA Fab Four in 2014 and Warner made the Elite Eight last season. Bartow made it to The Lakeland Center in 2013 and 2014. And, of course, the Florida Southern men won the NCAA Division II title in 2015. Basketball has been pretty good to Polk County recently.

So, what name would Barsh submit?

“Lakeland Aviators,” he said.

Hey, it’s better than the Blue Ducks.

— Brady Fredericksen can be reached at brady.fredericksen@theledger.com or 863-802-7553. Follow him on Twitter: @Brady_Fred.