The team was owned by Herb Greenberg[1] and Larry Keating was the president: Kevin Mackey was named coach and director of basketball operations in May 1999,[2] and the newly opened Sovereign Bank Arena was the home court.
During the IBL inaugural draft the Shooting Stars selected the following players: Kevin Ollie, Mark Baker, Shawnelle Scott, Todd Lindeman, Tyrone Grant, James Martin, Willie Simms, Moochie Norris, LaMarr Greer, Ryan Bowen and Cassette Wesson.
[3] Mackey resigned on January 19, 2000 citing health issues,[4] and he was replaced by his assistant coach John Carideo, who stayed as the head coach until the end of the 2000–01 season.
[5] In the first IBL season the team finished with a 32–32 record: Ray Tutt was the leading scorer with 19.4 points per game, while Tyrone Grant led the team in rebounds with 8.8 and Ryan Lorthridge was the assist leader with 8 per game.
For the second year in a row, Ryan Lorthridge led the IBL in assists with 8.6 per game.