Orlando, Florida – The Pro Basketball Association announced on Tuesday that the league would host a bubble in the Orlando area that would allow teams in Florida to participate in the PBA, all while reducing expenses and profit sharing with those organizations. The PBA took some of what was successfully done by the NBA this past playoff season and has implemented it throughout the Country in key markets around the US but also gave teams the option of the classic model where they’d host home games in their own arena and travel within their region to play divisional opponents on the road. “The bubble” helps cut down on travel, venue, and other organizational costs and allows teams within the association that choose that model, the ability to pool resources and play with the door money on the line. It’s a hot concept that sweeping the Country. Central Florida will join Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth as markets that will be hosting a PBA bubble this season.
The PBA Florida “Bubble” will be held at “the Well” on Athletes Row in Apopka, Florida; a short 15 minute drive from Orlando and 30 minutes to Walt Disney World. The league plans to have International World Class Tournaments and Events featuring some of the top Pro clubs around the World as a part of their product offering in Florida in the coming months and this venture and the establishing of a strong foundation in the Sunshine State moving forward helped push this the forefront. The PBA is the top Spring-Summer Pro League in the United States with 50 teams Nationwide as members of the Association. PBA Florida helps the league expand into that State. Of the 50 teams in the United States, the Pro Basketball Association is located in arenas from Seattle to New York City and just about everywhere in between. The plan is to add eight of the best organizations in the State of Florida to play in the Bubble and to award them franchises in the Pro Basketball Association. Meetings have already been ongoing with interested pro teams in and around Florida over the past several weeks.
A little about the League
The Pro Basketball Association currently has six current or former NBA people in position in the league office as well as 17 International Scouting Directors all over the World helping to place PBA players abroad. One crucial component to the PBA mission statement is to provide full 20 category box scores and full game branded video – equipped with league commercials, team branding and merchandise, as well as TV quality pro level games streamed online for a Global audience and already has been featured on NBC, Fox, and CBS as well as inking deals with Wilson Sporting Goods (the current basketball of the NBA is also the official basketball of the PBA), YouTube, Media company 1891, and the Eurobasket Network as league partners. If you want Pro – You want the PBA.
The Well formerly known as the Cooper Sports Complex offers sports activities & classes for adults and children. The facility also includes a restaurant if your hungry and need to get something to eat while attending a game. The Well also has meeting rooms and is non-smoking, wheelchair accessible and has available parking. The Well also is home to Church services on Sunday mornings and proudly serves the Apopka community and surrounding areas. Sunday evenings will be home to teams in the Association as a part of PBA Florida; designed to be a weekend destination for clubs from across the State to be able to participate in a Covid free, safe zone where all precautions are taken to ensure your viewing enjoyment of Pro Basketball at affordable prices – convenient to shopping and entertainment options for the whole family!
The Pro Basketball Association has named Homer Gray and Sam Brown as the Regional Directors of League Operations for PBA – Florida. Homer Gray is a Graduate of Valencia Community College and Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a former Pro Basketball Player with International playing experience, Gray brings the perfect match of skill sets to the position. He is a basketball coach and trainer since 2008 and has an extensive background Internationally. Gray was the assistant coach for Jamaica’s Men’s National Basketball Team in 2010. The coach of the Nigerian National Basketball Team from 2011-2013 and specializes in the fundamentals of basketball including skill development, shooting, ball handling, and the mental preparation and confidence for the game. Gray has been successful training numerous professional athletes, both international and NBA but also spends time working as a professional trainer for all levels from beginner to pro. His experience and connections in the Central Florida area will be a key asset for the PBA in the region.
Sam Brown born and raised in Orlando, Florida. He is a Community Leader for the Apopka Area Chambers of Commerce. Basketball has been his ticket in many communities, around different arenas and facilities around the Country. Sam spent 12 years in Northern Virginia on the AAU and High School Basketball Circuit as a Coach and Youth Basketball Trainer. During his time in Virginia, he launched his Non-Profit Organization, Travel Basketball Association. TBA became a household name for the Woodbridge Community as Sam trained, coached, and mentored kids through his TBA “Train to Compete” Basketball Program. In 2015, Sam partnered with Big Time Hoops where he became the Youth Tournament Director for all of the Mid-Atlantic United States. He organized competitive tournaments for thousands of Student-Athletes from 3rd thru 12th grade. His tournaments allowed Student Athletes an opportunity to be seen by College coaches and scouts. Sam’s competitive spirit, energy, passion, and love for basketball can be recognized on and off the court. He’s an excellent business person with the proven track record in organization for larger events with many teams and participants.
“The Pro Basketball Association is really excited to partner with Homer and Sam with PBA – Florida. We’ll announce more about the International component in the near future and having 8 high level teams competing in the Pro Basketball Association in one central location during these difficult times is life changing for players, coaches, and fans alike. We love being able to offer this to the greater Orlando community from an entertainment aspect. And having some of the top pro level clubs from the State of Florida all at one facility is a special thing. Add in our contacts from a league standpoint as it relates to the NBA and Pro leagues in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela, to name a few; really give the PBA players and coaches an opportunity to take their game to the highest levels possible. Homer and Sam exemplify what we’re looking for with the Pro Basketball Association and we’re looking forward to several pending announcements from teams shortly.” PBA Deputy Commissioner Ricky Benitez
If you want Pro – You want the PBA
The Pro Basketball Association 2021 PBA Pro Combine and Draft will be held in two locations beginning with 3/27 in Rochester, New York and then 4/3 in Dallas, Texas. With pending announcements the PBA will have a minimum of 48 teams (From Seattle to New York City and everywhere in between – America) in the two round draft which means 96 draft eligible players will become a part of the Pro Basketball Association. Players and/or their representation is encouraged to email profile/video to [email protected] or visit Pro Basketball Association Combine and Draft – Pro Basketball Association (pbaplayers.com) or follow FB/IG @probasketballassociation
