Jacksonville Waves

Jacksonville Waves
Jacksonville Waves logo
LeagueUpShot League
FoundedJanuary 27, 2025 (2025-01-27)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
History2026–
ArenaVyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Capacity14,091
LocationJacksonville, Florida
Team colorsDeep teal, Coastal blue, White
     
Head coachJessica Bogia
OwnershipZawyer Sports & Entertainment
WebsiteWavesUpShot.com

The Jacksonville Waves are a professional women’s basketball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Waves are an inaugural franchise of the UpShot League, a developmental women’s basketball league in the United States, set to begin play in May 2026.[1][2]

History

In January 2025, Zawyer Sports & Entertainment announced the formation of a new women’s professional basketball league — the UpShot League — headquartered in Jacksonville.[2] At that time, the league confirmed it would launch with a minimum of four teams, one of which would be based in Jacksonville.

On October 1, 2025, the UpShot League formally revealed the Jacksonville franchise name and identity: the Jacksonville Waves, along with the appointment of Jessica Bogia as head coach.[3]

On December 8, 2025, the UpShot League announced the opening weekend matchups for each team. Jacksonville is scheduled to open its season on May 15, 2026, against the Charlotte Crown.[4]

Coach

A longtime presence in college basketball, Bogia spent more than two decades as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at programs including the Hofstra Pride, Jacksonville Dolphins, and Memphis Tigers, where she became known for her player-development work and strong recruiting classes. Now joining the Waves, she steps into her first professional head-coaching role.[3]

Name

Two African-American WAVE officers in dress uniforms shutting a suitcase
Lt. Harriet Ida Pickens and Ens. Frances Wills, the first African-American officers in the WAVES, the WWII Navy program that inspired the team’s name.

During the launch announcement, league officials stated that the team’s branding draws from Jacksonville’s geography—where the St. Johns River meets the Atlantic Ocean—and honors the legacy of the WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, the women's branch of the United States Navy Reserve during World War II, many of whom served at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.[2]

Arena

The entrance to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
The entrance to VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Waves will play their home games at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The UpShot League will play a season of 20 home games and 20 away games. The arena has a capacity of up to 15,000. Andy Kaufmann, the owner of Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, stated in the team's introductory press conference that he wanted to average a higher attendance than some WNBA teams.[2]


References

  1. ^ Alissa. "New Team Announcement: Jacksonville Waves Joins the UPSHOT League". UpShotLeague.com. The UpShot League. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Camargo, Marcela. "New Jacksonville Waves women's basketball team ready to bring 'fearless spirit' to the courts". News4Jax.com. Graham Media Group. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b Freeman, Clayton. "Jacksonville Waves, new women's basketball squad, introduce first head coach". Jacksonville.com. The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  4. ^ "The dates are set. A new season brings new opportunities as our communities rise together. Players shine, fans connect, and joy multiplies in every arena. The Future is UP!🏀". X.com. UPSHOT League. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
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