LaVar Ball's Junior Basketball Association, aka the JBA, will kick off tonight - the same night that basketball fans across the world will be locked in for the 2018 NBA Draft.
The league is comprised of eight teams based in major cities throughout the country including Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, Dallas, New York, Houston, and Los Angeles. Each team, consisting of ten players between the ages of 17-19, will play a total of eight games starting with tonight's inaugural double-header at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Canada. All of the games, including Chicago vs Atlanta and New York vs Los Angeles tonight, will be streamed via Facebook Live.
Instead of following college rules on the court, the Junior Basketball Association will mimic the NBA with four 12 minute quarters and a pro three-point line. After the completion of the JBA season, the best players in the league will then embark on an international tour to compete against overseas squads.
Of course, the league will be funded by the Big Baller Brand and all players must agree to wear only Big Baller Brand products, including BBB shoes on the court. The league will reportedly pay for food, travel and lodging expenses, in addition to paying each player $3,000 per month. Players are also entitled to 60% of their jersey sales, as well as any other endorsement deals.
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