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With a historic season for topflight British basketball now well underway, Super League Basketball (SLB) is delighted to confirm that seven teams from outside the division have joined the lineup for the inaugural Cup competition.
Five teams from Basketball England’s NBL Division One and two teams from basketballscotland’s Scottish Basketball Championship (SBC) have accepted invitations to the men’s tournament and will join the nine SLB franchises when the Cup commences in January.
The teams who have accepted invitations to the competition are as follows:
· Derby Trailblazers (NBL)
· Essex Rebels (NBL)
· Hemel Storm (NBL)
· Nottingham Hoods (NBL)
· Reading Rockets (NBL)
· Sony Centre Falkirk Fury (SBC)
· St Mirren (SBC)
The competition will adopt a bracket format, meaning from the outset the 16 participating clubs and their fans can chart their team’s course to the Final at the end of March, with a venue for the Final to be announced soon.
All teams will be entered into an open draw to decide the First Round ties, which are set to take place on the weekend of January 10, with a date for the draw and information on how to tune in to be confirmed in due course.
The First Round and Quarter-final stages of the Cup will be single-leg contests, with the Semi-finals played over two legs. At this stage an aggregate score will be used to determine the winners, who will book their place in the Cup Final.
Speaking following confirmation of the participation of NBL and SBC teams in the Cup competition this season, SLB Interim Chair Vaughn Millette said:
“We are thrilled to welcome seven great teams from both the NBL and SBC to the Cup lineup. Their inclusion not only adds a new level of excitement and intrigue to the competition but highlights the depth and talent across British basketball.
“We’re grateful to Basketball England and basketballscotland for their support in allowing their teams to compete in the competition and I’m excited to see how the Cup unfolds as we continue to elevate the sport together.”
Basketball England’s Senior Delivery Manager, Leagues and Competitions, Rob Fairley said:
“It’s great to see five of our NBL Division One clubs getting the opportunity to test themselves against Super League Basketball teams. It’s great that we can work in collaboration with SLB to facilitate these opportunities.
“There is a great crop of talent in Division One this season and, following Ipswich’s recent success in the Women’s SLB Trophy, it will be exciting to see what the men’s teams representing Division One can do on the big stage when the Cup commences in January.”
basketballscotland’s Chair, Stephen Ferguson added:
“The newly-formed Super League Basketball provides a solid foundation for professional basketball to begin reaching its potential. We’re delighted to see two teams from Scotland taking part in the Cup competition, creating that all-important link between pro league basketball and grassroots senior basketball. We wish the Scottish teams every success and hope their experience will provide an opportunity to learn and grow.”
Super League Basketball fans will be able to watch all of the Cup competition action live and for free on DAZN.
