Lilac City Legends join the Pro Basketball Association

Spokane, Washington – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Friday that the Lilac City Legends had been awarded a franchise for the 2021 PBA Season. Team market owner Michael Bethely has been instrumental in bringing Pro Basketball to the Northwest community of Spokane.

Michael Bethely – Production Associate / Producer at CMTV Spokane and CEO & President at Bethely Entertainment

Michael Bethely is the team’s president and is excited about what the Legends will provide to the Spokane community.

“We want to honor, encourage, inspire and create LEGENDS within our community,” said Bethely, a community advocate, entrepreneur, and lover of the game. “Plus, we want to highlight the value of community, and show how it is so much bigger than basketball.”

Bethely also states that “joining the PBA will be a great opportunity to give our guys an additional platform to not only play against prime competition, but also give them the exposure they need to take and play their game at the next level!” And, with the talent hanging around the area, expect the Legends to put on an entertaining product.

Head Coach Paul Butorac shown here in Japan when he was still playing. Now 37, the 6’9″ PF has a lot to give back to his guys with Lilac City. He made a living playing pro ball for a long time overseas.

Paul Butorac, who formally played basketball for Eastern Washington University and 10 plus years professionally overseas, will be the Legend’s head coach. Butorac averaged 15ppg and 7rpg at EWU and followed that up by taking his game abroad including stops in France, Poland, Estonia, the NBA G-League and Mexico but really spent the meat and potatoes of a long and successful pro career overseas in Japan. Butorac was a household name there featured on billboards in cities of clubs such as Nigata, Akita, Takamatsu, Yokohama, Toyota Tsusho, Fubon, and Saitama among others. The 6’9″ Power Forward is a Galvaston, Texas native that has for sometime called Spokane home and is an incredible resource for the next generation because he’s been there and done that and can tell them what it takes.

Lilac City will join Kitsap as recent members to the Association, and play in the Northwest division with pending announcements about other clubs and potential markets yet to be announced! It’s coming Northwest!! Get ready for the Pro Basketball Association! Pro Basketball is back!

Pro Basketball Association – Northwest Division – Map shows current, pending, and potential markets

The Pro Basketball Association will host a Pro Combine and Draft in two locations this year. March 27th at Fast Break Sports in Rochester, New York and April 3rd at the MAC in Lewisville, Texas. This is an INVITE only event. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile and video to [email protected] to be considered for invitation.

For more information on the Lilac City Legends and the Pro Basketball Association, visit us on social platforms @probasketballassociation and online at www.PBAplayers.com