Central Basketball Association

The Central Basketball Association (CBA) welcomes everyone to the continuance of a fresh concept in the world of minor league basketball. Strong, financially sound teams. Online video rebroadcasts of league games. Detailed & accurate team and individual statistics. Strict adherence to International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules. Taking advantage of technological resources through a user-friendly website and mobile-application. Playing in front of larger media markets. Working directly with agents and scouts as a genuine bridge for players to get overseas contracts in Canada, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and South America. All led under a strong corporate-style management structure. 

These attributes one will not find apparent in any other minor league basketball league or organization. Until now. Welcome to the Central Basketball Association.    

The 8-week CBA season, which completed its 7th year in 2019, begins annually in March and concludes in May. Following the season, the league works diligently behind the scenes to help its players earn opportunities to try out and secure contracts with international organizations across the globe. 

League Founded:

• 2013 (completed 7th season)

Season Preview Press Releases:

• USA Today (2014-15 season)
• Associated Press (2014-15 season)
• Associated Press (2013-14 season)

Players Drafted From League:

• (2) 2015 NBA D-League Draft
• (2) 2017 NBL-Canada Draft
• (1) 2016 NBL-Canada Draft
• (1) 2014 NBL-Canada Draft
• (1) 2013 NBL-Canada Draft

Team Ownership Backgrounds:

• Former NBA, NFL, & MiLB Players
• Former NASCAR Drivers
• Former Harlem Globetrotters
• Former NCAA Coaches & Athletic Directors
• Former International Basketball Athletes

Players Sent Overseas: 241

• North America (91)
• Asia (57)
• Europe (43)
• South America (35)
• Africa (8)
• Australia (6)

International Contracts Offered: 141

• North America (49)
• Europe (36)
• South America (24)
• Asia (23)
• Africa (5)
• Australia (4)

Professional Domestic Opportunities: 9

• NBA G-League (8)
• NBA (1)

- Beginning in 2018, the CBA and the Antigua & Barbuda Basketball Association (ABBA) commenced a bi-lateral global partnership, allowing for basketball opportunities for players in both organizations to take their talents to the next level and grow within the international basketball industry. 

- Seven CBA players participated in the 2018 ABBA National League season from January 2018 to June 2018 in order to provide them experience on their basketball resume of competing within an international basketball environment in an overseas nation. In 2019, 12 players CBA players earned opportunities to play in Antigua, including 6 new players being selected in the first CBA-ABBA draft. 

- The Antigua national team participated in the 2018 FIBA Americas Qualifiers in the nation of Suriname in June 2018, where the Antiguan national team was coached by a CBA coach, and the uniforms and apparel for the national team were be sponsored by the CBA. The Antiguan national team earned a silver medal with their second-place finish. 

- The pilot program between the two nations will open up future opportunities in Antigua and other islands in the Caribbean for CBA and non-CBA players for many years to come. 

- For the players that participate in the CBA Global Opportunities Program, the CBA will look to advance the basketball careers of CBA players, non-CBA players, and players from the Caribbean, in exploring legitimate and credible opportunities around the world.

- Beginning in 2016, Under Armour became the official on-court apparel supplier for the CBA.

- Customized Under Armour uniforms for each member team, where the designs are crafted to improve marketability of each organization.

- Various complimentary Under Armour apparel for individuals affiliated with the CBA.

- Under Armour uniforms and apparel for CBA Global Opportunities Program to promote the brand domestically and internationally.

- Offseason CBA Annual Meetings to be held each year at the Under Armour Headquarters in Baltimore.

- Beginning in 2017, Hilton Hotels & Resorts became the official hotel partner for the CBA.

- Access to all the hotels under the Hilton portfolio: Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, DoubleTree, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, Conrad, Curio, and Waldorf Astoria.

- Complimentary hotel rooms for CBA teams during road games with free breakfast, free internet, and premium customer service.  

- Free membership for all CBA players with the Hilton HHonors Rewards Program to allow for registered players to earn reward points during team hotel stays, as well as earn potential elite status and free reward nights for future stays with hotels under the Hilton hotel portfolio. 

- Beginning in 2017, Southwest Airlines became the official domestic airline travel partner for the CBA.

- Complimentary air travel for CBA member teams, as well as complimentary checked baggage, priority service, and flexible scheduling. 

- Free membership for all CBA players with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Program to allow for registered players to earn reward points during air travel with the airline, as well as earn potential elite status and free flights for future travel with Southwest Airlines. 

Critical distinctions between FIBA rules, which are used within CBA games as well as around the world, and NBA/College rules are the following:

Length of Quarters: Games will feature four individual quarters consisting of 10 minutes per period. Overtime periods last 5 minutes. Game clock stops only after a made field goal in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter and Overtime.  

Shot Clock Duration: 24 seconds. Defensive fouls result in a reset to 14 seconds if the shot clock was below 14 seconds at the time of the foul. 

Timeouts:  Timeouts can only be called by a coach. 2 timeouts per club in the first half. 3 timeouts per club in the second half. 1 timeout per club in overtime. Timeouts can only be called during a dead-ball situation. Ball can be advanced to half court after a timeout only in the final two minutes of the 4th quarter or Overtime. 

3-Seconds in Key / Zone-Defense: Permitted.

Goaltending: Not Permitted. 

Basket Interference: Permitted only in situation where ball can be swatted off the rim by a defensive player. 

Backcourt Violation: 8 seconds.

Closely Guarded Violation: 5 seconds if actively defended within 3 feet.

Personal Foul Limit: 5 personal fouls, including technical fouls.

Technical Foul: 1 shot plus possession. 2 technical fouls result in ejection plus potential suspension. 

Free Throws: 2 shots. No 1-and-1 free throws. 

Team Fouls: 5+ team fouls result in two free throws. Team fouls reset after each quarter, except overtime, which has the fourth quarter team fouls carry over. Technical fouls on the coach are not assessed as team fouls. 

Alternating Possession: Yes. No Jump-Ball except to start game. 

CBA Team: Mississippi Eagles

NBA Team: Memphis Grizzlies

College: University of Massachusetts

Position: Forward (6-8, 225)

Pictured With: Vince Carter (8-time NBA All-Star; former NBA Rookie of the Year; in his 20th season in the NBA & 2nd with Grizzlies)

Note: First CBA player to play in the NBA (2015)

CBA Team: Bowling Green Hornets

NBA D-League Team: Oklahoma City Blue

College: Western Kentucky University

Position: Guard (6-1, 175)

Pictured With: Marcus Teague (former 1st-round selection of the Chicago Bulls in 2012; younger brother of Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague)

Note: First CBA player to receive NBA D-League opportunity (2015)

CBA Team: Mississippi Eagles

NBA G-League Team: Iowa Energy / Greensboro Swarm

College: University of Arkansas

Position: Guard (6-3, 190)

Note: First CBA Most Valuable Player to play in NBA G-League (2015). First CBA player to earn second contract opportunity in the NBA G-League (2016). First player to earn a third contract opportunity in the NBA G-League (2018).

CBA Team: Mississippi Eagles

NBA D-League Team: Idaho Stampede

College: University of Texas-El Paso

Position: Forward (6-8, 200)

Note: First CBA player to be selected in NBA D-League Draft (2015). Second CBA player to earn second contract opportunity in the NBA D-League (2016). 

Year: 2019

Teams: (7) Baltimore, Bowling Green, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Jackson, Memphis, Middle Tennessee

Regular Season Champion: Indianapolis (6-2 record)

Playoffs: (1) Indianapolis, (2) Middle Tennessee, (3) Fort Wayne, (4) Bowling Green

League Champion: (1) Indianapolis

League Runner-Up: (2) Fort Wayne

Coach of Year: TBD

Most Valuable Player: TBD

Year: 2018

Teams: (8) Baltimore, Bowling Green, Fort Wayne, Illinois, Indianapolis, Jackson, Memphis, Middle Tennessee

Regular Season Champion: Indianapolis (8-0 record)

Playoffs: (1) Indianapolis, (2) Middle Tennessee, (3) Fort Wayne, (4) Memphis

League Champion: (3) Fort Wayne

League Runner-Up: (1) Indianapolis

Coach of Year: Nathan Willhite (Middle Tennessee)

Most Valuable Player: Jameel Best (Memphis)

Year: 2017

Teams: (7) Baltimore, Bowling Green, Fort Wayne, Illinois, Indianapolis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi

Regular Season Champion: Indianapolis (6-2 record)

Playoffs: (1) Indianapolis, (2) Fort Wayne, (3) Bowling Green, (4) Mississippi

League Champion: (2) Fort Wayne

League Runner-Up: (1) Indianapolis

Coach of Year: Phillip Washington (Indianapolis)

Most Valuable Player: Tyron Criswell (Illinois)

Year: 2016

Teams: (9) Bowling Green, Columbus, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi, Peoria, Springfield

Regular Season Champion: North: Fort Wayne (8-0 record), South: Middle Tennessee (7-1 record)

Playoffs: (1) Fort Wayne, (2) Middle Tennessee, (3) Columbus, (4) Bowling Green, (5) Indianapolis, (6) Memphis

League Champion: (1) Fort Wayne

League Runner-Up: (2) Middle Tennessee

Coach of Year: Rod Wilmont (Fort Wayne)

Most Valuable Player: Brett McKnight (Columbus)

Year: 2015

Teams: (8) Bowling Green, Chattanooga, Fort Wayne, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi, Peoria, Springfield

Regular Season Champion: Chattanooga (7-1 record)

Playoffs: (1) Chattanooga, (2) Bowling Green, (3) Memphis, (4) Fort Wayne, (5) Mississippi, (6) Middle Tennessee, (7) Springfield, (8) Peoria

League Champion: (2) Bowling Green

League Runner-Up: (4) Fort Wayne

Coach of Year: Paul Gaffney (Chattanooga)

Most Valuable Player: Mardracus Wade (Mississippi)

Year:  2014

Teams: (7) Bowling Green, Chattanooga, Fort Wayne, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Peoria, St. Louis

Regular Season Champion: Chattanooga (7-1 record)

Playoffs: (1) Chattanooga, (2) Middle Tennessee, (3) Fort Wayne, (4) St. Louis

League Champion: (2) Middle Tennessee

League Runner-Up: (4) St. Louis

Coach of Year: Rodney English (Chattanooga)

Most Valuable Player: Antonio Cannon (Fort Wayne)

Year: 2013

Teams: (4) Bowling Green, Middle Tennessee, Peoria, St. Louis

Regular Season Champion: St. Louis (5-2 record)

Playoffs: (1) St. Louis, (2) Bowling Green

League Champion:  (1) St. Louis

League Runner-Up: (2) Bowling Green

Coach of Year: Floyd Irons (St. Louis)

Most Valuable Player: Demarco Polk (Middle Tennessee)