India’s first pro basketball league launched

In a significant move aimed at taking Indian basketball to the next level, ACG Sports Private Limited announced the launch of India’s first professional basketball league in Mumbai on Friday, in association with the Basketball Federation of India

Hyderabad: In a significant move aimed at taking Indian basketball to the next level, ACG Sports Private Limited announced the launch of India’s first professional basketball league in Mumbai on Friday, in association with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).

This initiative will feature a structured competitive league in 5×5 and 3×3 formats for both men and women, establishing a comprehensive professional ecosystem that opens the door for athletes across the country to pursue basketball as a viable career.

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The league is expected to serve as a long-term catalyst for India’s presence on the global basketball stage, backed by world-class infrastructure, holistic athlete development, and robust community engagement.

Jeremy Loeliger, former CEO and Commissioner of Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), has been appointed Director of ACG Sports. In his new role, Loeliger will lead the development of the league’s blueprint, bringing international standards of governance, competition, and commercial innovation to Indian shores.

“Our decade-long journey, beginning with grassroots initiatives, has focused on systematically making basketball accessible across India while building the professional pathways that young athletes need to thrive,” said Karan Singh, Managing Director of ACG.

“We’re grateful for the partnership with BFI in making this dream a reality,” Singh said.

As part of its long-term strategy, ACG will launch India’s first fully residential high-performance centre within the year. The academy will feature world-class facilities, attract top coaching talent from the US and Australia, and offer comprehensive training programmes for players, coaches, and referees. Nutrition, mental wellness, and academic balance will be integral to the curriculum—ensuring holistic development of future stars.

Aadhav Arjuna, President of the Basketball Federation of India, said this partnership with ACG was unlike anything they had seen before.

“It is driven by vision, structured for long-term impact, and rooted in a clear understanding of what Indian basketball truly needs. We’re building not just visibility, but real momentum and global credibility,” he said.

The complete league framework—including team structures, competition formats, player eligibility, and governance models—is currently in development with input from global basketball experts and key industry stakeholders. Detailed announcements on participation guidelines, venue requirements, and operational protocols will follow in a phased rollout.