A lifelong San Diegan, Jon Ukegawa remembered going with his family to see the San Diego Rockets and San Diego Clippers basketball teams back in the 1960s and 1970s.
But when both teams left town, he switched his allegiance to the Los Angeles Lakers.
That is, until last week, when it was announced that a minor league version of San Diego Clippers was coming back to play in San Diego County.
“I was ecstatic, beyond ecstatic,” said Ukegawa. “Even though it’s a G-League team, I’m going to have to turn my loyalty to the Clippers again.”
Ukegawa, who lives in Vista, was one of about 200 fans, community members and others who turned out Monday to hear more about the return of the Clippers.
The team will be playing its games, starting in the 2024-25 season this fall, in the 7,500-seat Frontwave Arena being built in Oceanside.
Arena and team officials were on hand at Tuesday’s event to sell tickets, pump up the community and offer previews of what fans can except.
“We couldn’t be happier to have a big presence here in North County today,” said Josh Elias, CEO of Frontwave Arena.
The G-League is the NBA’s official minor league, and the G-League Clippers are an affiliate of the Los Angeles Clippers. They currently play in San Bernardino County and are known as the Ontario Clippers.
Elias said the plan is to connect the team to the community through appearances and events.
“This team is for the community, and it only works if everybody feels they have ownership in what we’re doing here,” Elias said.
Team games will have a family-friendly atmosphere, with bounce houses for children, giveaways, and theme games like Superhero Night.
“The Clippers are really excited about being in San Diego,” said team President Justin Dunn.
More announcements will be made in upcoming months, but officials have already said the arena will host both the Clippers games and the San Diego Sockers indoor soccer team. The arena is also expected to hold concerts, comedy shows and community events.
For Olden Polynice, who played for the team in LA during his 15-season NBA career, the return of the Clippers to San Diego was long overdue.
“I’ve always felt that the Clippers, the big boys, should’ve been down here years ago,” said Polynice.
As for Ukegawa, he’s already got his center court seats for the upcoming season.
“When this (news) came out, I was like a kid in a candy store,” he joked.