Delaware Blue Coats

In 2004, Utah entrepreneur Brandt Andersen heard the NBA was expanding operations to include a development league. Eventually Andersen got a new team to start play in 2007, based in Orem, Utah, playing at the McKay Events Center.{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Spencer|url= http://saltcityhoops.com/brandt-andersen-unplugged/|title= Brandt Andersen Unplugged|date=September 18, 2009|publisher=Salt City Hoops}}{{cite web|url= http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/cover-story-on-brandt-andersen/article_0999c878-fa26-5664-9781-016324308c7b.html|title= Cover story on Brandt Andersen|date= July 18, 2007|work= Daily Herald|access-date= May 11, 2013|archive-date= May 23, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130523042235/http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/cover-story-on-brandt-andersen/article_0999c878-fa26-5664-9781-016324308c7b.html|url-status= dead}}{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/01/AR2008110101475.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Les | last=Carpenter | title=A Minor League Owner With Major League Aspirations | date=November 2, 2008}}

The Flash nickname was chosen by a name-the-team contest, in which over 21,000 votes were cast. The team was established with a close help from its NBA affiliate Utah Jazz, who indicated to the general manager job David Fredman – who was an assistant coach and director of scouting for the Jazz for 28 years, and also the assistant general manager for the Denver Nuggets – and as a coach Brad Jones, a regional scout who was the nephew of long time Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Also as an NBA affiliate were the Boston Celtics.{{cite news |last=Siler |first=Ross |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_6722855 |title=Orem franchise built on NBA ties |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=August 26, 2007 |access-date=February 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206142928/http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_6722855 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }} In the first season for the Flash on December 21, 2007, guard Morris Almond (who had been sent down to the D league by the Jazz) tied an NBA Development League record with 51 points in a 118–116 victory over the Austin Toros later in that season Almond broke the record with a 53-point performance in the 102–87 blowout win against the Bakersfield Jam, Almond also led the league in scoring averaging 25.6 points a game.{{cite news|title=Get To Know The Utah Flash |url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/utah/get_to_know_flash_070417.html|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=April 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629000133/http://www.nba.com/dleague/utah/get_to_know_flash_070417.html|archive-date=June 29, 2007}} In July 2008, Fredman was called back by the Jazz to work as a scout,{{cite news|first=Tim |last=Buckley |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700240492/Utah-Jazz-notes-Smith-Fredman-given-new-responsibilities-with-ballclub.html?pg=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106053848/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700240492/Utah-Jazz-notes-Smith-Fredman-given-new-responsibilities-with-ballclub.html?pg=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2016 |title=Utah Jazz notes: Smith, Fredman given new responsibilities with ballclub |newspaper=Deseret News |date=July 4, 2008 |access-date=February 5, 2016}} and coach Jones ended up pulling double duty as general manager as well.{{cite news|first=Neil K. |last=Warner |url=http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/new-flash-point-guard-working-to-take-the-next-big/article_ffc5a187-e22c-5250-92a8-2d3ed3a2e9b1.html |title=New Flash point guard working to take the next big step, playing in the NBA |newspaper=Daily Herald |date=January 25, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2016}} In 2009, the Celtics changed affiliations to the new team Maine Red Claws, leading the Atlanta Hawks to join forces with the Flash.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/affiliates_090629.html |title=NBA Development League: NBA D-League Announces Affiliates For 2009–10 Season |publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |date=June 29, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329074001/http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/affiliates_090629.html |archive-date=March 29, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}

On December 8, 2009, the Flash hosted a sold-out crowd that hoped Michael Jordan was going to appear to play in a charity exhibition at halftime against former Utah Jazz guard Bryon Russell. However, Jordan did not appear, and a Jordan lookalike was introduced in what turned out to be a hoax.{{cite news|title=Utah NBDL team to refund tickets from Jordan hoax|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2009-12-08-277982437_x.htm|agency=Associated Press|work=USA Today|date=August 12, 2009|access-date=March 15, 2010}} Brad Jones retired as head coach of the Utah Flash on September 7, 2010, and Kevin Young was named as his replacement. Young had been the assistant coach for the Flash for the prior two years, as well as scout and director of basketball operations, and before joining the organization worked at the Utah Valley University team.{{cite news|title=Utah Flash bring back familiar faces for upcoming season|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/basketball/professional/flash/utah-flash-bring-back-familiar-faces-for-upcoming-season/article_78b070ee-d4ac-57df-b2b3-ec6d6a6e0adf.html|work=Daily Herald|date=May 24, 2007|access-date=March 15, 2010}}

The team suspended operations following the 2011 season, as Andersen was forced to sell his interest in the Flash. Despite high ticket sales, being second in NBADL attendance during the 2010–2011 season, drawing more than 100,000 fans and averaging 4,237 per game, the Flash had frequent financial struggles, as both the Jazz and the city's minor league baseball team Orem Owlz made it difficult to get sponsorship deals.{{cite news|first=Brian T. |last=Smith |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/cougars/52031510-87/flash-jazz-andersen-season.html.csp |title=Utah Flash for sale; won't play this season |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=June 19, 2011 |access-date=February 5, 2016}}

On April 27, 2013, after two years of hiatus, the Philadelphia 76ers acquired the team, and renamed it the Delaware 87ers. The nickname, a play on the 76ers' own, was inspired by the fact that Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787.{{cite magazine |last=Kotloff |first=Brian |url=http://tracking.si.com/2013/04/27/sixers-delaware-87ers/ |title=Sixers change name of newly acquired D-League affiliate to Delaware 87ers |date=April 27, 2013 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=May 2, 2013 |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107022235/http://tracking.si.com/2013/04/27/sixers-delaware-87ers/ |url-status=dead }} The team played its games at the University of Delaware campus. Former Ripken Baseball Inc. assistant vice president of sales/marketing Aaron Moszer was named team president.{{cite news|title=Sixers acquire D-League team in Delaware|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/04/27/sixers-nab-development-league-team.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts|agency=Associated Press|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|date=April 27, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Philadelphia 76ers Acquire NBA D-League Franchise; Relocate It to Delaware and Name It The Delaware 87ers|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/130427-delaware-87ers|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com/Sixers|access-date=April 27, 2013|date=April 27, 2013}}

In September 2013, Brandon Williams was named the team's first general manager.{{cite web|last=Rappaport|first=Max|url= http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/130913-fastbreak-brandon-d-williams|title= Fastbreak: Brandon D. Williams Hired As Sevens GM|publisher=Philadelphia 76ers|date=September 19, 2013}} Rod Baker was named the team's head coach for their inaugural season in Delaware.{{cite web|url= http://www.delawareonline.com/story/76ers/2013/11/06/sixers-hire-rod-baker-to-coach-delaware-87ers/3454063/|archive-url= https://archive.today/20150414213502/http://www.delawareonline.com/story/76ers/2013/11/06/sixers-hire-rod-baker-to-coach-delaware-87ers/3454063/|url-status= dead|archive-date= April 14, 2015|title= Sixers Hire Rod Baker to Coach Delaware 87ers|date=November 6, 2013|work=The News Journal}}

The 87ers finished their first season with a 12–38 record.{{cite web|url= http://basketball.realgm.com/dleague/teams/Delaware-87ers/36/Schedule/2014|title= 2013–14 Delaware 87ers schedule|publisher=RealGM}} Two players received a Gatorade Call-Up during the 2013–14 season{{cite web|url= http://www.nba.com/dleague/201314_gatorade_callups.html|title= 2013–14 GATORADE Call-Ups|publisher= NBA Development League|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150430135239/http://www.nba.com/dleague/201314_gatorade_callups.html|archive-date= April 30, 2015|df= mdy-all}} – Kendall Marshall was called up by the Los Angeles Lakers on December 20, 2013,{{cite web|url= http://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/131220kendallmarshall|title= Lakers Sign Kendall Marshall|publisher=Los Angeles Lakers|date=December 20, 2013}} and Vander Blue was called up by the Boston Celtics on January 22, 2014 {{cite web|url= http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/boston_celtics_sign_blue_2014_01_22.html|title= Boston Celtics Sign Delaware's Vander Blue to 10-Day Contract|publisher= NBA Development League|date= January 22, 2014|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150315055457/http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/boston_celtics_sign_blue_2014_01_22.html|archive-date= March 15, 2015|df= mdy-all}} Thanasis Antetokounmpo was selected with the 51st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the New York Knicks{{cite web|first=Russell|last=Steinberg|url= https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/6/26/5848318/thanasis-antetokounmpo-new-york-knicks-nba-draft-results-2014|title= 2014 NBA Draft Results: Knicks select Thanasis Antetokounmpo with 51st pick|date=June 26, 2014|publisher=SB Nation}} – the first 87er to be drafted into the NBA.

Over the summer, the 87ers introduced their mascot, Caesar, on August 22, 2014.{{cite web|url= http://delaware.dleague.nba.com/meet-our-mascot-caesar/|title= Meet our mascot: Caesar|publisher= Delaware 87ers|access-date= April 14, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150315151541/http://delaware.dleague.nba.com/meet-our-mascot-caesar/|archive-date= March 15, 2015|url-status= dead}} Caesar was a fox, the state animal of Delaware, and is named after Caesar Rodney who served on the Continental Congress as a representative from Delaware during the American Revolution.

Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Baker was called up by the Sixers to serve as a scout in the front office.{{cite web|url= http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/141013-baker-call-up|title= Sixers Front Office Calls Up Sevens Head Coach Rod Baker|date=October 13, 2014|publisher=Philadelphia 76ers}} Hired as his replacement was Kevin Young,{{cite web|url= http://www.nba.com/dleague/delaware/87ers_annouce_hiring__head_d_2014_10_17.html|title= 87ers Announce Hiring of Head Development Coach Kevin Young|date= October 16, 2014|publisher= Delaware 87ers|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150415170604/http://www.nba.com/dleague/delaware/87ers_annouce_hiring__head_d_2014_10_17.html|archive-date= April 15, 2015|df= mdy-all}} who led the team to an improved 20–30 record, and the Sevens ranked No. 7 in the D-League in points per game.{{cite web|url= http://stats.nbadleague.com/team/#!/1612709909/seasons/|title=Delaware 87ers Seasons|publisher=NBA Development League}} On April 10, 2015, the 87ers earned the Merit Award for Emerging Business of the Year, and also received the Voter's Choice Award for Community Involvement at the Delaware Small Business Chamber's Blue Ribbon Awards Ceremony.{{cite web|url= http://delaware.dleague.nba.com/news/87ers-take-home-delaware-small-business-chamber-awards|title= 87ers take home Delaware Small Business Chamber awards|date=April 10, 2015|publisher=Delaware 87ers}}

The 87ers improved upon their offensive play from the previous season, with four different players scoring at least 45 points in a game in 2015–16 (a D-League record). Sean Kilpatrick scored 45 points,{{Cite web |url=http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151209fwndel/ |title=Kilpatrick Drops Career-High 45 Points, 87ers Win Triple-Overtime, Afternoon Thriller - NBA D-League |access-date=February 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214105738/http://dleague.nba.com/games/20151209fwndel/ |url-status=dead }} Jordan McRae set the all-time D-League single-game scoring record with 61 points,{{Cite web |url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/jordan-mcrae-61-points-nba-dleague-scoring-record/ |title=61! Delaware's Jordan McRae Breaks NBA D-League Scoring Record in Overtime Win - NBA D-League |access-date=February 13, 2017 |archive-date=February 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214110918/http://dleague.nba.com/news/jordan-mcrae-61-points-nba-dleague-scoring-record/ |url-status=dead }} Christian Wood scored 45 points, and Russ Smith broke McRae's record and scored 65 points.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15055640/russ-smith-sets-d-league-scoring-record-65-points|title=Ex-L'ville star Smith nets 65 for D-League record|date=March 24, 2016}} McRae and Kilpatrick were selected as All-Stars,{{Cite web |url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/2016-nba-development-league-all-star-game-rosters/ |title=Rosters for NBA Development League All-Star Game Presented By Kumho Tire |access-date=March 22, 2017 |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207115139/http://dleague.nba.com/news/2016-nba-development-league-all-star-game-rosters/ |url-status=dead }} and both along with Wood received NBA call-ups. With three of their top four players now in the NBA, the 87ers went through a rough stretch from a 17–13 start to finish 21–29. They were however aided by former NBA All-Star Baron Davis, who played six games with the team to conclude the season.

Beginning with the 2018–19 season, the team was renamed the Delaware Blue Coats, an homage to the 1st Delaware Regiment, also known as the "Delaware Blues," and their key role in the American Revolution. The team logo pays homage to Caesar Rodney (the namesake for the aforementioned mascot) and his 70-mile ride from Dover to Philadelphia on July 1–2, 1776, to cast Delaware's tie-breaking vote in favor of what would become the Declaration of Independence. The rebrand coincided with the opening of the new Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington. On September 20, 2018, general manager Elton Brand was promoted to general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers.{{cite web |title=Elton Brand Named General Manager |url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/elton-brand-named-general-manager |website=NBA.com |access-date=September 27, 2018 |date=September 20, 2018}}

In the 2020–21 NBA G League season, the Blue Coats advanced to the championship before losing to Lakeland Magic. The following offseason led to general manager Matt Lilly being let go by the team and coach Connor Johnson resigning to look at other opportunities.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} Sixers vice president of player personnel, Prosper Karangwa, was given the duties of general manager{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/blue-coats-name-prosper-karangwa-general-manager/n-5757143 |title=Blue Coats Name Prosper Karangwa General Manager |website=OurSports Central |date=October 22, 2021}} while former South Bay Lakers' head coach Coby Karl was named head coach.{{cite web |title=Coby Karl Named Head Coach of Delaware Blue Coats - NBA G League |url=https://gleague.nba.com/news/coby-karl-named-head-coach-of-delaware-blue-coats/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC |website=gleague.nba.com |date=September 28, 2021 |access-date=October 15, 2021}}

The 2022–23 season saw the Blue Coats return to the NBA G League Finals after a victory over Long Island. They became the first team since the Santa Cruz Warriors to reach the Finals in three straight seasons. On April 6, 2023, the Blue Coats clinched their first NBA G League championship in franchise history, avenging their finals loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the finals the previous year, defeating them 2 games to 0.

{{Delaware 87ers roster}}

• Atlanta Hawks (2009–2011)
• Boston Celtics (2007–2009)
• Utah Jazz (2007–2011)

• Philadelphia 76ers (2013–present)

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