LeBron James and Kevin Durant back new U18 NBA league
The Futures Basketball League will launch next spring with 120 under-18 players.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant and other NBA figures are behind a new under-18 elite basketball league in the United States, Sportstar reported. The league will begin play next spring.
Key takeaways
- Futures Basketball League will start next spring with 120 under-18 boys.
- LeBron James and Kevin Durant are founders and early investors.
- Twelve regional teams will play from April to August.
- Players will receive NIL funds and professional coaching.
- Derrick Rose and Paolo Banchero are team owners.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are among the NBA stars backing a new under-18 elite basketball league in the United States, Sportstar reported. The Futures Basketball League will begin play next spring with 120 of the best under-18 boys basketball players in the nation.
What we know
The inaugural season will feature 12 regional teams made up of prospects from the high school classes of 2028 through 2031, Sportstar reported. Games will be played on weekends from April to August across top U.S. markets. The season will close with a national championship weekend.
> The top 150 basketball players under 18 in the country play on over 200 different teams in seven different leagues in the spring and summer season.
Jason Stein is the league’s chairman and co-founder, according to Sportstar. He said the current system does not give young athletes fair value for their name, image and likeness rights or a professional coaching structure.
Why it matters
Kevin Durant is an NBA star and early investor in the league alongside James, with their business partners Maverick Carter and Rich Kleiman, respectively. Former NBA No. 1 draft picks Derrick Rose, selected in 2008, and Paolo Banchero, selected in 2022, are on board as team owners.
What happens next
The league has already signed some top prospects to NIL agreements and will announce the names of the first signees in the coming weeks, Sportstar reported. Participants will receive NIL funds and training that includes coaching, development and education, according to a news release.
Plans call for the season to run through August, with games played over 10 weekends in top U.S. markets. The league schedule will be tailored to accommodate the high school season, NCAA live periods, the NBPA Top 100 Camp and USA Basketball commitments.
Key figures for the new league
Detail | Value |
|---|---|
Players | 120 |
Regional teams | 12 |
Months | April to August |
High school classes | 2028 through 2031 |
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