Most of us have heard of the “Pittsburgh Condors” and the “Pittsburgh Pipers” by now, but did you know there was a pro basketball team in Pittsburgh before them?

6 years before the Pipers were founded, the American Basketball League brought pro basketball to the ‘Burgh with the “Pittsburgh Renaissance”. Similar to the Pipers, the “Rens” played their home games at the Civic Arena. Also similar to the Pipers, the team would only last a short time in Steel City. Though they made the playoffs in their first year during the 1961 season, the team would dismantle in 1963, leaving a legacy only to be remembered by few. The Rens may have had a short time in Pittsburgh, but they did bring the city its first playoff basketball game (against San Francisco), and also a pro basketball Hall of Famer in Connie Hawkins (#45).