NBXL in the MAKING
NBXL, the first ever single entity US-Middle East based independent professional basketball league playing a domestic and international league schedule in a single season, featuring elite players from around the world. The NBXL is the future of basketball, independent, and most importantly a purpose driven league.
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The NBXL will operate a single business model in which the NBXL owns and operates all 8 league teams. It is the goal of the NBXL to offer franchising opportunities in the near future. For our inaugural season we will start with 4 teams. The NBXL will have 5 major league/game rule changes that will separate the NBXL from other current existing professional basketball leagues without affecting the essence of the game of professional basketball. What will aslo separate the NBXL from other leagues is its ability to have its season during a time it will not compete with other league schedules and also having elite players from around the world thanks to its no import rule.
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The NBXL concept has been a developing league since 2009. Christian Villar, the founder of the NBXL, took a unique approach when launching his basketball organization. Having just returned from playing professional basketball internationally, Villar understood the complexities and demands of the players’ perspective. Rather than immediately starting a league, he recognized the importance of first learning how to operate a professional basketball team. By forming a team, he could continue playing and while simultaneously gaining the experience necessary to run a league and provide a platform for other players to continue their professional careers. This led to the creation of the NJ-Pros, which would later become the founding team of the NBXL.
NBXL As NJ-Pros Team Concept
MEMBER OF PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUES
2009 - 2011 Member of the Eastern Basketball Alliance (EBA)
2011 - 2012 Member of the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League (ACPBL)
2012 - 2014 Member of the American Professional Basketball League (APBL)
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INDEPENDENT - NO LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP 2014 -2016
The NJ-Pros stopped playing in a league and became independent, scheduling games against other top professional basketball teams from other professional basketball leagues across the globe. That included teams from top international leagues, such as the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) of Puerto Rico, the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto (LNB) of the Dominican Republic, along with two games against the Dominican Republic Men’s National Basketball Team.
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On the National level, the NJ-Pros hosted showcase games prior and after the NBA Developmental League games of the Westchester Knicks and Delaware 87ers. The games were branded as professional basketball double headers and all children were able to attend both the NJ-Pros game and the respective G-League team’s game at no additional cost. This was a fantastic way to help many children who simply could not afford to purchase a ticket. It was a way to meet their local stars, watch a night of fun-filled basketball, while expanding, the fan-base outside of New Jersey into surrounding areas.
2017 - 2020
NJ-Pros play exhibition games against numerous top international professional basketball teams and Men’s National Basketball Teams from around the globe such as the Dominican Republic and USA Men’s National Basketball Teams.
2020-2024
The NJ-Pros become the founding member of the NBXL professional basketball league. Created the Expo City Dubai Innovators, American Basketball Club, and United Middle East BC franchise.
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2025: Inaugural season fall of 2025
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NBXL in the Middle East
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Since 2020, the NBXL has been active in the Middle East establishing relationships with key individuals, institutions, government entities, studying the market and understanding the culture. It has hosted events with youth groups and schools.
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NBXL x EXPO2020 DUBAI
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On March 10 and 11, 2022 the NBXL participated in EXPO2020 Dubai by providing two days of basketball activities. This was a historic event that had over 24 million visitors from all over the world. On day one we held basketball clinics for Dubai schools visiting the Expo. On day 2 we hosted a 4 team basketball cup featuring 2 schools and 2 basketball academies from Dubai. We also handed out bags with notebooks for each participating player which is something we have done since 2009 in every city and country we have visited. The champions and runner up team received sneaker sponsorship, form The Pros Brand, for each of its players and coaches.
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On May 27, 2024 the NBXL signed a partnership with Expo City Dubai to call the city home and also have the naming rights for one of the four NBXL teams to carry the city's name.
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NBXL x DUBAI SCHOOL GAMES BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
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On May 2022, June 2023, and May 2024 the NBXL sponsored and assisted with the hosting of the Dubai Schools Games basketball championships - a Dubai Sports Council initiative which features over 150 public and private schools with approximately 10,000 students participating in various sports throughout the year. The NBXL provided backpacks filled with school supplies, team trophies for the winning teams as well as MVP trophies for the winning team most valuable player. In conjunction with The Pros Brand, we also provided free sneakers for students and athletes that demonstrated sportsmanship during the 4 day event.
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