Greg Clark came to play and stay when the San Diego Wildcats of the American Basketball Association were formed.

Now they are ready for their third season together.

After advancing to the ABA title game last season, the Wildcats open this campaign tomorrow at Maywood as the ABA's top team in the preseason rankings.

“I was always hoping to still be playing,” said Clark, 30, a forward who completed his college career at the University of Washington in 2000-01. “Of course, that first year, you just want to see how it goes with a new team.”

Forward Jamal Kendrick and guard Cardell Butler also have remained from the inaugural Wildcats. In addition, four others have returned from last season's team that lost in the ABA finals to the defending champion Vermont Frost Heaves 87-84

The Wildcats, who play their home opener Dec. 10 against Maywood at the Kroc Center, became the obvious preseason favorite after Vermont bolted to the Premier Basketball League.

Along with the three original players, former San Diego State forward Jerome Habel and guard Leonard Mosley complete the Wildcats' starting lineup.

“There's a huge bond on our team,” Wildcats majority owner Anthony Lacey said. “The players are here to get that one title. We want to bring San Diego its first (pro) championship ever in basketball.”

Clark, a former standout at Grossmont High, originally planned to play overseas after college, but with marriage and then a family, he instead started a personal training business in La Mesa.

While he stayed active in recreational leagues, the 6-foot-7, 230-pound Clark realized the chance to enter the pro ranks when the hometown Wildcats were formed.

“I had to be in good shape running a training business,” said Clark, whose brother, Tony, has enjoyed a long major league baseball career. “Also, since I had been playing, the transition went well (to the ABA).”

The Wildcats settled at the Kroc Center last season after a nomadic home schedule their first season. Home attendance averaged about 600 fans per game, according to Lacey.

Additional investors and sponsors are being sought by the club this season. As a result of the economic downturn, the players have accepted a limited payroll to open the season.

The team has added continuity with the return of General Manager and coach Zack Jones, who assumed both duties last season returning to San Diego after a stint as an assistant at Liberty University.

Jones, a former coach at Horizon High, serves as executive director of Rock Sports, which includes middle and high school programs.

“Zack brings a lot of discipline,” Clark said, “and you can see the results.”

The Wildcats went 23-8 last season with automatic qualification in an eight-team championship tournament. In their first season, they finished 21-9 and reached the second round of the playoffs in a different format.

For his part, Clark remains a steady force who has averaged double figures in scoring since the club's inception.

“As long as I can keep playing, I'll do it,” Clark said. “Someday, my body may tell me to stop. Right now, I just enjoy it.”

Indeed, he came to play and stay.