In April 2022, Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady launched Ones Basketball League (OBL) to focus on, as Bryan Mills said in “Taken”, “A very particular set of skills.”
One on one basketball.
“We’re sticking to the essence of what basketball is,” McGrady told me at the time. “Individual talent and skills.”
After a successful inaugural season, the league took some time off to revamp and refine its strategy and operations. Now, after a four year hiatus, OBL, the premier 1 v. 1 basketball league in the world, is returning this May with a new format.
“OBL: Battle of the Cities” takes the essence of the league’s original iteration and expands on it.
According to the release, elite one-on-one athletes will bring “their own vision, culture and prestige tied to the city from where they grew up, played and/or call home.”
Per the release:
Each city-based team will have a three man roster, comprised of players who best reflect the tradition, values and basketball culture of the city the 1 v 1 team represents, hand selected by the Owners/GMs. “OBL: Battle of the Cities” will take place over multiple weeks in Orlando, Florida, where McGrady was raised playing 1 v 1 himself, from May 15 to June 30, with teams competing for the swagger, pride, and identity of every city represented. Potential participants can still submit information at https://oblhoops.com/.
“The way we’re building this version of OBL, it’s not just about skill, it’s about toughness, personality and authenticity. Every team and every player is bringing their own story and their own energy to the game,” said McGrady in the release. “We’re also excited about these legends stepping in to help shape these teams. We’ve got some of the most respected voices in basketball, media and entertainment getting involved and people who really understand the culture of the game. Together we’re building something that goes way beyond just one-on-one basketball.”
Another addition to this year’s league is the celebrity team owner for each city-based team.
The cities and coaches include:
1. Team Orlando – Vince Carter, NBA Hall of Famer
2. Team Washington, DC – Quinn Cook, two-time NBA Champion
3. Team Miami – Tim Hardaway Sr., five-time NBA All-Star
4. Team New York – Jadakiss, recording star and basketball insider
5. Team Chicago – Larenz Tate, actor, film producer, basketball aficionado
6. Team Raleigh – John Wall, five-time NBA All-Star
7. Team Atlanta – Stay Tuned
8. Team Baltimore – Stay Tuned
Now backed by a multi-million dollar growth capital investment by Next Gen Sports, OBL: Battle of the Cities is poised to take a big leap from the success they had in its first season.
“We are honored, humbled and couldn’t be more proud to be able to work with Tracy and this world-class roster of Owners and GMs to bring the OBL to unforeseen heights,” said Heath Freeman, Managing Partner, Next Gen Sports, and Chairman of OBL.
For more information about the league, visit www.oblhoops.com
