Maximum Basketball League

Last updated
Maximum Basketball League
Midwest Basketball League.jpg
FormerlyMidwest Basketball League (2015-19)
Sport Basketball
Founded2015
FounderMichael A. Wright
First season2015
No. of teams45
Country United States
Most recent
champion(s)
CHICAGO FURY (2023)
Most titles2 (Cedar Valley CourtKings)
Official website mblpro.com

The Maximum Basketball League (MBL) is a professional men's basketball league which operates in the United States.

Contents

History

Established in 2015 by founder Michael A. Wright, the Midwest Basketball League (MBL) was rebranded the Maximum Basketball League following the 2019 season when Wright stepped away. [1]

Eleven teams competed in the inaugural 2016 season. Regular season games began in April 2016 followed by a post-season in August 2016. [2] [3]

After five games the Chicago Clovers were removed from the league. Lincoln Lions, who were playing a limited schedule as a "branding" team, took the place of the Clovers. Northern Indiana Monarchs also were removed after playing seven games although they would return to the league as Indy Show.

New management took command after the 2019 season which was followed by 13 teams leaving MBL. For the 2020 season 34 new teams are scheduled to compete. Only the Indiana Dream and Naptown Pros (formerly the Indy Show) remain from the inaugural season.

Teams

MidWest DivisionCity1st season
Brownstown Bears South Bend, Indiana 2021
Chicago Fury Chicago, Illinois 2016
Chicago Knights Chicago, Illinois 2017
Chicago Legends Chicago, Illinois 2017
Detroit Panthers Redford, Michigan 2022
Elkhart Mavericks Elkhart, Indiana 2020
Fort Wayne Visions Fort Wayne, Indiana 2018
Foundation Bulldogs Eagan, Minnesota 2019
Grand Rapids Fusion Grand Rapids, Michigan 2019
Midwest Storm
Michigan Avengers St. Clair Shores, Michigan 2020
Wayne County Roadrunners2018
Northeast DivisionCity1st season
Bronx Holy Storm Bronx, New York 2020
Brooklyn Sentinels Brooklyn, New York 2021
Crotona Hawks Bronx, New York 2021
Kitsap Admirals Bremerton, Washington 2022
Montrose Veterans Bronx, New York 2021
Mount Vernon Power Mount Vernon, New York 2020
NYC Black Eagles New York City, New York 2021
South DivisionCity1st season
DFW Just Hoop Fort Worth, Texas 2020
Fort Worth Wolves Fort Worth, Texas 2018
Foundation Bulldogs Dallas, Texas 2019
Hills have Eyez2021
North Texas Prowlers Argyle, Texas 2020
Texas Empire2020
Texas Tsunami2020
Ultra Instinct Dallas, Texas 2021
Waco Terror Waco, Texas 2018
Southeast DivisionCity1st season
Atlanta Wildcats Atlanta, Georgia 2020
Birmingham Outlaws Birmingham, Alabama 2024
Wolverton Wolves Roswell, Georgia 2023
Hub City Cyclones Bartlett, Tennessee 2021
Memphis Lions Memphis, Tennessee 2021
Music City Kings Memphis, Tennessee 2020

Former teams

Champions

SeasonWinnerRunner-upResult
2016Cedar Valley CourtKingsMinnesota Rangers108-98 [4]
2017Cedar Valley CourtKingsFort Wayne Vision121-106 [5] [6]
2018Twin Cities EliteFort Wayne Vision106-104 [7]
2019Fort Wayne VisionEagan Bulldogs107-106

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References

  1. "MBL makes name change". Maximum Basketball League. August 19, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  2. "Professional basketball returning to Cedar Valley". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. December 18, 2015.
  3. "Welcome to the new home of the MBL". Midwest Basketball League. July 23, 2015.
  4. "Ellison's pro team wins championship". USA Today High School Sports. August 22, 2016.
  5. "MBL champion CourtKings return to Comet Gym on Saturday". Charles City Press. March 26, 2018.
  6. "Midwest Basketball League: CourtKings eye three-peat". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. April 1, 2018.
  7. "Former Gopher Gaston Diedhiou Wins Semi-Pro Basketball Championship". Zone Coverage. July 29, 2018.