The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that it has added the Raleigh 919 Legends to its expansion teams for the 2025-2026 season. “We are very pleased to have Joseph Garris as an ABA owner and to be back in Raleigh,” stated ABA CEO Joe Newman. “He has quite a background and should be a terrific owner on and off the court.”

Joseph S. Garris II is a seasoned community worker, servant and former athlete. Born in Philadelphia, his family lived in NY during his mother’s graduate studies at Fordham University. Afterwards, the family settled in Raleigh NC where he was a graduate of Athens Drive High School at which he ran Cross Country and Track prior to attending and graduating from North Carolina Central University with a BA in Recreation and Sports Management.

He has served as Head Basketball Coach at SPARC Academy in Raleigh for 7 years and founded “Achieving Your Dreams” Basketball School and summer camp. He has also coached Post Graduate Prep Basketball Teams in Raleigh. From 1992-1997, he played Semi-Pro Basketball for the Raleigh Magic. Garris is an active member of Pleasant Union Christian Church and is active in Sunday School ministry as well as a respected Deacon.

For more information, call 919 830 0148 or email deaconjoseph1969@gmail.com