NBBF outlines requirements for the 2024 men's Premier League season

NBBF outlines requirements for the 2024 men's Premier League season

In a bid to get all the 16 teams in the Atlantic and Savannah Conference ready for the 2024 NBBF Premier League, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has published the details and format for this year's edition.

The programme rundown made public yesterday by the NBBF shows that the League will run in three stages, starting with the Conference Play-Off, then the Second Round Play-Off and will be concluded with the Final Four.

In the Playoffs, which is the first phase, the teams within each conference shall play each other home and away (16 games per team in the regular season). Each team will have 2 specific venues designated for home and away matches.

And to give the players ample time to rest and restrategise, matches shall be scheduled in such a way that when one conference is playing, the other is resting, and vice versa. This ensures efficient use of facilities, optimal game scheduling, and nationwide follow-up of the league.

The Top 4 clubs from each conference shall advance to the Second Round playoffs while the bottom 4 clubs of each conference shall play each other to determine which team will be relegated to the TotalEnergies Division 1.

The Top 2 teams from the Second-Round Play-Off shall advance to the National Final Four. The Final Four shall be played on a league basis where each team plays against the other.

The team that finished top during the Final Four standings is declared the league winner and will represent Nigeria in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL).

The NBBF says this League's format is one of the numerous efforts to improve the standard of Basketball in Nigeria and developed a structure aimed at allowing more competitive and engaging league format.

“This format has clear pathways for teams to advance, while maintaining excitement and interest throughout the League Season. It will also provide a comprehensive framework for the entire competition and a structured format that further enhances security by minimizing travel between venues, thus ensuring the safety of players, and reducing logistical challenges,” NBBF scribe Peter Njoku.

The NBBF scribe went on to state that, “This approach will also promote cost-effectiveness for teams, optimizing resources and creating a more sustainable league

The date for the start of the 2024 Premier League as well as the venues to be used during the season shall be made public by the NBBF very soon.