InBL Pro: A league for basketball in India, powered by a partnership with New Zealand

In a landmark press conference held in New Delhi on Wednesday, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) announced the launch of the Pro International Basketball League (InBL PRO U-25) — an initiative which, they believe, will transform the dilapidated state of the sport in the country. It will be a franchise-based competition that will feature domestic and international talent.

Like several other sports in India, basketball suffers not from the lack of zeal but the lack of stage. Aspiring players often go around dribbling their dreams, fuelled solely by passion. Yet, the hoop of opportunities stays out of reach. InBL PRO is an effort to build viable career avenues for Indian ballers.

"We want to make basketball matter more in India and InBL Pro offers players a chance to compete at a high level, while also entertaining fans with the sport." said Rupinder Brar, the founder and chairman of the league. "InBL Pro has created aspirational pathways for Indian players to play at the highest level while inspiring the next generation of players."

The inaugural season is slated to commence on January 15th, 2025, and will feature six teams. Before that, a player auction, which is touted to feature players from the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, among other countries will be held on January 9th. While the league matches will be played in India, the finals will be hosted in Abu Dhabi.

The league has been launched in partnership with a private entity known as Captains Professional Basketball pvt. ltd. (CBPL), who have been hosting basketball tournaments across the country under the brand name INBL (Indian National Basketball League). Since 2021, the INBL has witnessed the participation of over 13,000 players from 20+ cities.

International expansion and partnership with New Zealand

Another key announcement was the groundbreaking collaboration with the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZ NBL), which will further expand opportunities for Indian ballers. A team by the name of Indian Panthers will feature in the NZ NBL, which is a 42-year-old, well-established competition with global appeal. The best 10-12 players from the InBL Pro will get a chance to represent the Panthers and train in Auckland for 5 months.

"InBL Pro U-25 is all about development, entertainment and global exposure. By taking it international with players, coaches, and venues, we are setting a new benchmark for professional basketball in India. It is a leap towards integrating U25 Indian players into the global basketball ecosystem," said Mr. Parveen Batish, CEO of INBL Pro.

Apart from the key stakeholders from BFI and CPBL, Justin Nelson — the Commissioner of NZ NBL — was also present at the press conference in New Delhi.

The InBL Pro has also borrowed several elements that have made the NZ NBL successful. One of these is the "Rapid League" — a simultaneous competition that features matches between benched players, ensuring ample game time for everyone. Also, while the InBL Pro is an "Under-25" league, each team will be allowed to have two "mentor players" who can exceed the age limit.

The decision to launch a women's league will be made next year and will hinge largely upon the commercial success of the inaugral season.