In 2001, the Fayetteville Patriots became one of the National Basketball Development League's eight charter franchises.

[1] They played their home games at the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

The Patriots finished last in the D-League in the 2005–06 season with a 16–32 record.

They got a lift in late February and early March, with the acquisition of Amir Johnson and Alex Acker from the Detroit Pistons.

On May 2, 2006, the D-League decided to no longer field a team in Fayetteville.