NBXL™FRONT OFFICE
CHRISTIAN VILLAR
​
FOUNDER | OWNER
​
Christian Villar is an entrepreneur, athlete, and a consultant in the nonprofit and business sectors. Villar is the founder and sole owner of the NJ-Pros basketball team, Villar Consulting, LLC, The Pros Brand, and the NBXL. He has a Masters in Public Administration & Nonprofit Management, as well as a B.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences with minors in psychology & business administration, from Seton Hall University.
​
Villar Consulting, a private independent consulting practice established in 2006 specializing in providing consulting services to both nonprofits and small businesses, assisting individuals start and/or incorporate nonprofits and small businesses; and obtaining 501(c)(3) tax exemption status for nonprofits from the IRS. As well as assisting professional athletes in contract negotiations, obtaining endorsement deals, and starting their own nonprofit foundations and businesses.
The Pros Brand, an independent footwear and apparel company. The Pros Brand also organizes and conducts youth, high school, college and pro sport competitions and athletic events for profit and charitable benefits locally, nationally, and internationally to spread diversity, cultural awareness, and peace among fans, nations, and cultures.
​
The NJ-Pros is an independent professional basketball team composed of players with NBA, NBA G League, and International professional playing experience established in 2009. The team will also be the NBXL's first franchise team.
CRAIG HODGES
​
FRONT OFFICE EXECUTIVE
​
Prior to joining the NBXL front office executive team Hodges coached the NBXL's founding franchise NJ-Pros team during the team’s independent years and 2 exhibition games against the Dominican Republic National Team prior to their pre Olympic qualifying games in Atlanta. “We are honored to have Craig on board as he is family and has been by my side since day one” states NBXL founder/owner Christian Villar.
​
Hodges played in the NBA for 10 seasons and led the league in 3point shooting percentage three times. As a member of the famed Chicago Bulls, Hodges won two NBA Championships. He also won 2 NBA Championship as a coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. He, along with Larry Bird, is one of only two players in NBA history to win three consecutive NBA Three Point Contests, winning the competition in 1990, 1991 and 1992. Coach Hodges also holds the Three Point Contest record for the most consecutive shots made with 19, set in 1991,and the most points scored in a single round at 25, set in 1986.
Hodges coaching career includes, head coach at Chicago State University (94-96), assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers under Hall of Famer, Phil Jackson, and 2x NBA Champions (2005-2011), head coach of the Halifax Rainmen of NBL Canada, assistant and head coach of the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G-League.
FELIPE LOPEZ​
​
FRONT OFFICE EXECUTIVE
​
Prior to joining the NBXL front office executive team Lopez was with the NBXL's founding franchise NJ-Pros team during the team’s independent year 2013 as a player. He had his #13 NJ-Pros jersey retired after playing for the team when they traveled to play teams from Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic national professional basketball leagues. He then moved to coaching the team with Craig Hodges and most notably when team the played the USA Men's World Cup qualifying team to the 2020 Olympics where he was the head coach. “The decision to bring Felipe to the NBXL was an easy one because he, along with Craig Hodges, has been with me since day one and part of this NBXL journey. I need people like this by my side because we are family,” states league founder/owner Christian Villar.
Felipe Lopez is a former National Basketball Association player, and one of the three current distinguished ambassadors for the NBA’s philanthropic effort, NBA Cares, alongside Bob Lanier and Dikembe Mutumbo. He also runs his own foundation, The Felipe Lopez Foundation, which aims to enrich the lives of inner-city youth through a combination of physical education, as well as educational support that extends beyond regular classroom hours.
Felipe played high school basketball at famed Rice High School in New York City, where he became one of the most highly touted recruits in U.S. high school history. Following high school, Felipe went to play for St. John’s University, where he completed four years and finished strong as a senior, averaging 17.6 ppg and garnering All-Big East First Team honors.
Felipe went on to play for six seasons in the NBA. He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 24th pickin the 1998 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies. Following two years of play there,Felipe also played for the Washington Wizards and Minnesota Timberwolves.
​
RICH ROWBOTHAM
​
FRONT OFFICE EXECUTIVE
​
Prior to joining the NBXL front office executive team, Rich was a member of the NBXL's founding franchise, NJ-Pros team since 2009, in which he assisted the team with its marketing efforts, strategic partnerships, and community relations. He also serves as an assistant coach for the NJ-Pros.
Rich brings over 20 years of coaching and sports management experience to the organization. He has worked as an accountant for the New Jersey Devils professional hockey team, served as an assistant coach with the professional minor league basketball team, New Jersey Lightning, and was an assistant coach/scout for the New Jersey Revolution, professional indoor football team.
Rowbotham earned his Business Administration degree from Montclair State University and is a member of the Clifton Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame. Rich coaches various youth sports programs throughout the year and is actively involved with numerous nonprofit organizations.
​