BBALL Nationals, a high-level showcase of Canadian talent, will again take over the Langley Events Centre starting July 29th.
BBALL Nationals is more prominent than ever, nearing 250 teams competing this year, a significant jump from the 180+ teams last year, that dazzled the crowd in their quest for club titles. The importance of the event cannot be understated, as the BBALL Nationals, since its inception in 2016, has set that standard for nationwide club tournaments and growing the game in doing so.
The event focuses on giving both boys and girls the chance to showcase their skills and improve through competition in Canada. Its rapid growth is proof of the tournament’s high quality.
As the club basketball season nears its end, players and fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming tournament. With countless hours of preparation, excitement is palpable as everyone waits to see which teams will emerge victorious. The summer season has been full of thrilling moments, and the tournament promises to be the most exciting yet.
Among the clubs attending, a few names that stand out are New West Elite and Flight Basketball, both sporting their brand of basketball. Both thrived in the tournament last season, and these clubs are confident in their abilities to do it again.
Flight Basketball
The Victoria Club lives up to its motto, “Be Excellent” in every way. Last year, they won the U15 girl’s gold division at Nationals, and their coach Michael Acheampong led the team to victory. The program is known for its strength and is determined to defend its title at BBALL Nationals this year. Their main goal is to compete against top-notch competition and prepare thoroughly for their respective divisions.
“As a group, we focus on getting some games under us to prepare for Nationals. It’s nice that it’s towards the end of the summer when teams are adjusted and have gelled together so we get the best product,” said Acheampong.
The growth of basketball in Canada has been undeniable, and for Victoria clubs, the silver lining has been more opportunities to play on home soil and limited travel.
“Having tournaments on the island, knowing the game has grown here, has been nice to have this year. This year we have less travel in Vancouver, but BBALL Nationals is the crème de la crème for these kids because they know there’s an array of teams, and it’s a way to connect BC Basketball as a whole,”
– Michael Acheampong, Head Coach & Director Flight Basketball
New West Elite
The upcoming BBALL Nationals tournament has the New West Elite team preparing to exhibit their defensive brand of basketball and secure a division championship. With Udhay Mangat at the helm, they are driven to demonstrate that New West produces ballers.
“We have a community-based approach and have a large community of basketball players in New West. We have a genuinely great basketball scene here that hasn’t been able to be shown to the community,” said Mangat
Playing to show British Columbia that New West is a hub for talent translates to their on-court product.
“We start with defence and try to be physical. We all learned how to play that quick physical basketball, starting with defence and turning turnovers into offence, A lot of the focus is on getting highlights on the offensive end, but you can’t have the highlights if you’re not getting stops,” Mangat emphasized.
Mangat prioritizes his players’ development by providing ample opportunities to participate in BBALL Nationals and tournaments during the summer. This allows them to strengthen their bonds and chemistry as they advance in the game.
“The tournament weekend is more than the games because the kids are hanging out all day, in each other’s faces, spending time with each other, which builds chemistry. That’s why the tournament is a big part of the basketball scene,”
-Udhay Mangat, New West Elite Head Coach
An Opportunity to Grow the Game
BBALL Nationals was established in 2016, focusing on enhancing the club basketball landscape in Canada. The experienced team of elite coaches and administrators behind BBALL Nationals shared a common goal of improving the existing model for club basketball. BBALL Nationals has experienced rapid growth over the years, and in the summer of 2022, it hosted over 180 boys and girls teams.
Overall, BBALL Nationals promises to be an unforgettable event showcasing the best of Canadian basketball. As the teams gear up for the competition, fans eagerly await the thrilling moments and exciting games that are sure to come. With the tournament growing in size and scope each year, it’s clear that BBALL Nationals is a vital part of the Canadian club basketball landscape, providing players with an opportunity to shine and helping to grow the game across the country.
The action starts on Saturday, July 29th and runs through Sunday, August 6th at the Langley Events Centre. Get all the details you need by visiting the BBALL Nationals website.
