The Thunder bring ABA basketball to Coney Island!
The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that the Coney Island Thunder has been added to its record-setting expansion for next season. “I’m very excited about this team,” stated ABA CEO. “The co-owners, Shawn Pratt and Reuben McLaughlin Jr have a tremendous amount of experience and a full understanding of what it takes to operate an ABA team. And Coney Island is a great market.”
Shawn Pratt is the owner of the ABA Bennington Martens and did a tremendous job in his inaugural season. “Reuben and I have known one another since we were kids and I am really excited to be working with him and the Thunder,” added Pratt.
Reuben McLaughlin Jr was born and raised in Coney Island and has been a teacher in the NY Department of Education for 24 years as well as a youth coach in Bedford- Stuyvesant, Coney Island and East Flatbush and was Head Women’s Basketball coach at City of New York University. He graduated from Southern Vermont College in Bennington VT where he was a 4-year letterman. “There are so many great players here,” commented McLaughlin. “Shawn and I intend to make the Thunder a major force in the ABA on and off the court.”
For more information visit https://www.cithunder.com/
call Reuben at 347 589 5385, email [email protected],
Mr. McLaughlin is a dedicated and tremendous role model for our youth. He brings perseverance, experience and quality to this association. I am proud to say that I work with him. You are getting a person of high quality and drive!!!!
I’ve known both Shawn and Stacey since they were teenagers. Played on the concrete with them. They had passion for the game then. If they bring the same now the team will be successful. I’m happy for the men they have grown up to be. Congratulations.