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Basketball Leagues Around the World

Basketball fans may hear of a player who failed to make an NBA roster “going overseas.” But what does that actually mean?

 

The NBA is the most glamorous and well-known of the world’s basketball leagues, where the best players in the world congregate. However, in many other countries, extremely competitive basketball is being played, but it remains largely under the radar. Let’s delve into those lesser-known top basketball leagues where the majority of the world’s competitive professional basketball players reside.

NBA (National Basketball Association) US basketball league

NBA (National Basketball Association)

The NBA, the gold standard for  basketball leagues around the world, has been in existence since 1946 and comprises 30 teams who, for the most part, call the U.S. home (the Toronto Raptors do reside in Canada). Its most famous players are global icons: Lebron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant. The league is universally regarded as having the highest level of play among all of the competitive basketball leagues in the world, and runs from October through June.

Liga ACB Spain Basketball league

Liga ACB

Spain’s Liga ACB, a league that houses some NBA level talent, is one of the most competitive leagues on the planet. This 17-team league, running from October through May, features former NBA players alongside some NBA prospects. Kristaps Porzingis, Nikola Mirotic and Marc Gasol all played in the ACB, and the league today features former NBA studs Gustavo Ayon and Rudy Fernandez, as well as the captivating prospect Luka Doncic. Guard Shane Larkin, who recently returned to the NBA with the Boston Celtics, was a member of the All-ACB 2nd-team last year as a member of the club Baskonia.

(BSL) Turkish Basketball Super League

(BSL) Turkish Basketball Super League

The Turkish Basketball league, which features 16 teams in a season that lasts from October through April, is another league in which basketball is played at a high level. Featuring some NBA talent (Furkan Korkmaz, Luigi Datome) and some NBA castoffs (Bogdan Bogdanovich, Ricky Ledo), the league regularly fields some of the best teams in Europe (Fenerbahçe in particular). Former Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach David Blatt has found himself a home in the BSL with Darussafaka S.K., and the league continues to attract high-level talent.

EuroLeague Basketball Champions League

EuroLeague

Basketball’s EuroLeague, much like the Champions League, its soccer counterpart, is a competition in which teams from all leagues in Europe can qualify and compete. This 16-team competition runs October through April, and features the very top teams in Europe (Turkey’s Fenerbahçe is a regular participant, as is Russia’s CSKA Moscow).

 

Similar to the Europa League in soccer, the 2nd tier cousin to the Champions League, the EuroCup is a 2nd tier basketball competition affording successful teams the opportunity to qualify for the EuroLeague.

LBA (Lega Basket Serie A) European Union basketball

LBA (Lega Basket Serie A)

In Italy’s 16 team league, which runs from October through May, Italian talent combines with foreign talent in a unique blend. Each team must have at least 5 Italian players, as well as a certain amount of players from within the European Union and from without the continent. This may be the oldest continuous basketball league on Earth (it started in 1920), and boasts the likes of former NBA players Jorge Gutierrez and Marcus Landry. Current Denver Nugget Danilo Gallinari and former NBA 1st overall Andrea Bargnani also participated in the LBA.

VTB United League Russia Basketball

VTB United League

Russia’s United League, which features 13 teams in a season that lasts from October through April, comprises teams from Russia and from former Soviet states like Kazakhstan and Belarus. CSKA Moscow is currently the best team in the league (and in all of Europe, according to the EuroLeague, of which it is the champion). Former NBA players Nando de Colo and Alexey Shved star in the league, as does former Michigan State standout Keith Langford.

(BBL) Basketball Bundesliga in Germany

BBL (Basketball Bundesliga)

Germany’s BBL, an 18 team league which is currently rising in status on the European basketball scene, has a season that lasts from September through May. NBA great Dirk Nowitzki once graced its courts, as did current NBA star Dennis Schroeder and former star Chris Kaman. It has been running since 1966, and  currently features former NBA players Jared Cunningham and Peyton Siva.

BIG 3 Basketball league

Big 3 Basketball League

3-on-3 basketball is an up-and-coming sport that will be featured in the 2020 summer Olympics in Tokyo. The Big 3 League, featuring NBA Hall-of-Famers and former All-Stars, is played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Some notable players are Allen Iverson, Kwame Brown, Rashard Lewis, Chauncey Billups, and Jermaine O’Neal, and the league has generated much media coverage in its Inaugural Season this past year.

NCAA Basketball League

The NCAA Basketball League, featuring rising stars and seasoned college athletes, is played across prestigious arenas all over the United States. Some notable schools with rich basketball heritage are Duke, Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, and UCLA, and the league has generated intense fan loyalty and widespread media coverage throughout its storied history. With thrilling matchups, fierce rivalries, and a showcase of the nation’s top young talent, the NCAA Basketball League continues to be a centerpiece of collegiate sports each season.

Canadian Elite Basketball League

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) stands as Canada’s top men’s professional basketball league, endorsed by Canada Basketball. Established in 2017, the CEBL launched its inaugural season in 2019, featuring six teams that are all under the ownership and management of Canadian Basketball Ventures.

Liga Nacional de Básquet (Argentina)

Liga Nacional de Básquet, commonly known as LNB, is the preeminent professional basketball league in Argentina, overseen by the Argentine Basketball Federation. Inaugurated in 1985, the LNB represents the pinnacle of basketball competition in the country, with clubs from across Argentina participating. It consists of various teams that not only compete fiercely on the court but also contribute to the rich basketball tradition in Argentina. Through the years, the LNB has become a platform for showcasing national talent and has played a pivotal role in enhancing the popularity of basketball in the region.

Novo Basquete Brasil (Brazil)

Novo Basquete Brasil, widely recognized as NBB, is the premier professional basketball league in Brazil, governed by the Brazilian Basketball Confederation. Established in 2008, the NBB has quickly become the centerpiece of basketball excellence in Brazil, featuring top clubs from across the nation. With a combination of domestic talent and international flair, the league has cultivated a competitive and entertaining sporting environment. The NBB has not only raised the standard of professional basketball in Brazil but has also played a crucial role in promoting and expanding the sport throughout the country.

Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (Mexico)

Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional, known as LNBP, is the foremost professional basketball league in Mexico, under the guidance of the Mexican Basketball Federation. Since its inception in 2000, the LNBP has grown to become the focal point of basketball talent and competition in Mexico, featuring prominent teams from various cities. The league has been instrumental in nurturing domestic talent and providing a platform for players to compete at the highest level. Through exciting matchups and strong community engagement, the LNBP continues to enhance the profile of basketball within Mexico, solidifying its reputation as a hub for basketball excellence.

Chinese Basketball Association (China)

The Chinese Basketball Association, popularly referred to as the CBA, is the elite professional basketball league in China, governed by the Chinese Basketball Association Federation. Founded in 1995, the CBA has rapidly developed into the beacon of basketball in the country, featuring top clubs and a blend of domestic and international players. As a cornerstone of basketball culture in China, the league has played a pivotal role in elevating the sport’s popularity and nurturing homegrown talent. With thrilling games, star performances, and a growing fan base, the CBA continues to solidify its position as one of the most prominent basketball leagues in Asia.

Related Pages

NBA League

NCAA Tournament

EuroLeague Basketball Champions League

EuroLeague

History of Basketball

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