Semi-pro basketball returns to the City Center in February of 2006. Six
teams are participating and tip-off is set for the 17th. And with the new season,
there'll be new rules. The Belize Basketball League will select players via
a draft which is scheduled for next Wednesday. A lottery draw to determine who
gets the first pick was held this afternoon. The University of Belize's team
under the management of basketball legend Kirk "Shabba" Smith won
the pick and you'll hear who he wants to pick in a bit. But first the league's
Commissioner Troy Gabb told us the new rules will step up the game.
Troy Gabb, BBL Commissioner
"What has happened is the past that we had an open market where owners
and players negotiated on their own and you ended up with certain teams who
had the ability to afford more, creating some disparity in the league. This
year the owners decided that they want to provide entertainment to the fans
and we don't want fans to be able to predict the outcome of games anymore but
to come to the games and participate and cheer for your favorite teams. So the
choice was made to use this system which will create parity and control the
cost and at the same time create some discipline in the rank and file of the
teams and the players as well."
Keith Swift,
UB Won the Lotto pickup. Can you give us any insight into who you guys are looking
at for next week?
Kirk "Shabba" Smith, Team UB
"Well basically I am a defensive player so I'll be looking for someone
who plays a lot of defense definitely. Basically we'll look at "Too Tall"
Jones and we got Darren out there too so we're trying to work something out
with those two guys."
The UB team will get the first pick, BTL is second, Belize Bank is third,
Corozal is fourth, San Pedro is fifth, and Orange Walk gets the last go at it.
The draft is next Wednesday and all players are expected to be there. Players
will be rated and each team will be allowed three 'A' players, three 'B' players,
and one import.
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