The Elite Pro 3×3 Basketball League, a first-of-its-kind 3×3 League in India is all set to kickstart from 28th September to 1st October 2023.
The 3×3 Basketball features three players in each team as opposed to the five in traditional basketball games. There’s only one substitute allowed on the bench in 3×3 Basketball, who can enter the game anytime during a dead ball situation by tagging an outgoing player.
The Elite Pro Basketball League will open new avenues for young Basketball players in India. The Men’s League will have a total of 16 teams with a total of 6 players per team. The teams will be divide into four pools, out of which two teams will qualify on the basis of a round-robin to the quarterfinals. The leaders of the pools will then head into knockout rounds for the coveted trophy. Mumbai Stars, Pune Pythons, Jaipur Giants, Kochi Pachers, Chandigarh Conquerors, Hyderabad Hoops, Lucknow Swarm, Chennai Turbos, Punjab Gladiators, Ahmedabad Aces, Delhi Dominators, Bengaluru Stallions, Nagpur Knights, Goa Waves, Surat Diamonds and Eastern Tigers constitute the Men’s League.
The Women’s League will have 6 teams- Mumbai Starlets, Delhi Wildcats, Kolkata Victory, Chennai Chargers, Chandigarh Dreams and Bengaluru Blings- divided into two pools. The top four teams will compete for glory in knockouts.
EP3L is organized by The Elite Pro Basketball League and the Elite Women’s Pro Basketball League. Talking about the same, Sunny Bhandarkar, CEO of The Elite Pro Basketball League and Elite Women’s Pro Basketball League said, “We believe 3×3 basketball will resonate deeply with our people. This format brings a perfect blend of skill, speed, and strategy, captivating both players and spectators alike. Our league is not just about competition; it’s about fostering a basketball culture, building communities, and nurturing young talent. We aim to inspire the next generation of basketball stars and pave the way for India’s presence on the global basketball map.”
In an unprecedented move in the Basketball professional setup in India, all the players will receive a predetermined salary that is attuned to the ideology of EWPBL and EPBL of ensuring a serious career pathway for young Basketball players in India.
