FBA WITHDRAWS FROM PLANS FOR 2020 SEASON

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Orlando, FL) – Due to the elevation of Covid-19 cases within the state of Florida, the FBA Board of Governors have voted to withdraw plans to host a 2020 regular season.

The FBA adjusted to play the 2020 regular season in one location this year without fans, making the appropriate investments to offer commercial advertisements as a new, alternative revenue stream during games streamed to the public.

“Securing the venue dates for a full season has become too much of a challenge given the recent surge of Covid-19 cases in Florida,” said FBA Commissioner Greg Kite. “At this time, it’s more prudent to redirect our attention to 2021 while finding ways to do some sort of league smaller, more flexible league events this year.”

Although the regular season has been cancelled, FBA teams have been working hard to establish reasonable, executable plans to provide basketball opportunities that ensure players still get necessary, high quality game film. From exhibition games, youth camps and clinics and other alternative events, FBA fans can still expect a mix of diversified basketball activities in the state of Florida.

The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball career.

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FLORIDA FLIGHT WIN JUMP 10 FBA TEAM USA QUALIFIER

(Orlando, FL) – The Florida Flight of the Florida Basketball Association (FBA) was crowned Team USA after winning the Jump 10 FBA Team USA Selection Qualifying tournament this past Sunday.

The FBA, securing the host rights from Jump 10 and TBGT, Inc., opened the tournament up to any team willing to pay the modest $800 team fee to compete. Teams from as far as South Florida competed in the event.

The Flight came out victorious, going undefeated throughout the tournament. winning a free trip to Shanghai, China. They will  represent the USA in the Jump 10 World Hoops Challenge and play for a grand prize of $100,000 USD.

“We really wanted to start this year off right and make a statement,” said Flight Owner and Head Coach Mark King. “This is our tenth anniversary season, and our entire staff, players and even fans are all working very hard to make this year something special. This is a great start for us!”

The tournament used a slightly modified version of the Jump 10 World Hoops Challenge rules, including the two 12-minute game set competition format, a tie breaker game if needed, and a man-to-man defense requirement during competition. While an adjustment to regular FBA rules, the pace and format of the game gave fans an exciting, intense experience that some want to see more of.

“This was a very exciting format, and I’d like to see more games like this,” said Faye Winfrey. “Each minute was so critical. Each game is important. It really leaves you on the edge of your seat as a fan. It was very exciting.”

The final game featured the Flight against Team Win, a team comprised mostly of players with overseas experience local to the Central Florida region. It was the second meeting between the two in the tournament. The Flight defeated Team Win in round two, causing Team Win to battle through the Loser’s Bracket to get to the finals.

After splitting the first two games in the final round, the teams entered a 2 minute overtime set. Remaining tied after overtime, the two headed to the unique, Jump 10 rule of a sudden death, next basket wins scenario.

Per the double elimination format, a Flight loss would’ve required Team Win to defeat the Flight in a final 12 minute game to secure the championship win. That turned out to be unnecessary. Flight guard Elliott Glegg made the winning basket for the Flight, knocking down a free throw after Team Win was called for an illegal defense violation for trying to use zone defense coverage.

“It felt good getting the winning basket for my team, but it was for sure a collective effort,” said Glegg. “We felt like this was an opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves before heading to China in May for our international tour, so we really wanted to get this Jump 10 championship win.”

The win gives the Flight a free trip to Shanghai, China for the Jump 10 World Hoops Challenge, which will features 16 teams from 12 different countries. This will be the second visit to China for the Flight, as they are also scheduled for a 20 day exposure tour in May.

The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball career.

 

2017 FBA Playoffs Set

(Orlando, FL) – The Florida Basketball Association (FBA) playoff format and match-ups have been set for 2017, and will include a best of 3 series for the Championship game. This year saw an exciting finish, as both the first and last place playoff positions came down to the final games of the season.

The St. Pete Tide (9-1) finished the season on a 5-game winning streak, one of which included a hotly contested win at home versus the then-first place Palm Beach Knights (8-2) to earn a tie-breaking situation to decide first place. The Tide picked up the deciding win of the season against the fledgling Bradenton GymRatz (0-10), who opted to forfeit their final game against the Tide after going winless in their first FBA season. The GymRatz will not be allowed to return for the 2018 FBA season as a result of their decision.

The Southeast Royals (3-7) of Jacksonville, Florida also pulled off a decisive win at home against Orlando’s Florida Flight (3-7) in the final game of the FBA season to earn a trip to the playoffs in their first FBA season. The two teams split the regular season match-up 1-to-1, with the Royals winning the tiebreak by holding a larger margin of victory in the matchup, giving the Royals the 4^th place, Playoff- qualifying position.

This year’s playoff schedule will feature the Southeast Royals (Jacksonville) traveling to St. Petersburg to take on the Tide at the Campbell Park Recreation Center on Sunday, August 6^th at 4:30pm. The Space Coast Stars (7-3), last season’s runner-up, will hit the road for Boynton Beach to take on the 2^nd place Knights at Lake Worth Christian School at 5:00pm.

The winning team in the semi-final match-up with the best record will be awarded home court advantage in the best of 3 championship series. The schedule for the FBA Championship will be determined next week after the results are in. The Championship game finale is projected to take place the weekend of August 19^th and 20^th.

 

The FBA is a Florida-based professional basketball league providing a development, branding and exposure platform for athletes, referees and other individuals seeking to further their professional basketball career.