NBL-US Preseason Rankings

For Immediate Release- June 24, 2021

The NBL-US season officially tips off Saturday June 26th in two locations. The American Conference tips off with with a state vs state matchup as the host team Fort Lauderdale Herd takes the court for the first time as an member of the NBL against South Atlanta Showtyme.

In the National Conference the Baytown Bobcats host the Bexar County Bucs in what looks to be a great matchup of young talent. The second game in the American Conference features the 2020 runner up the Marietta Rockets facing off against another new team to the NBL-US, but veteran in Minor League Basketball Space Coast Stars.

If you are asking what about the defending champions East Houston United? They are back looking to finish the season for a second straight year undefeated and back to back championships, when they host the New Orleans Blues a first year team and the only club representing Louisiana.

This will be a new look for the United. For the first time in its 3- year history they will be without the franchises only head coach as Kevin Williams stepped down after winning the championship to head upstairs to the front office where he will take over as the President of Basketball Operations for the NBL-US finishing his tenure with a record of 29-1.

Williams stated." With the growth of the league far exceeding what I thought it could be last year when we started, I felt the best thing for me to do was to walk away from the bench and take the lead role in taking the NBL-US to new heights. I will miss the sidelines but I know the league needs me more in the front office."

Now the pressure is on Williams assistant the last three years Tim Guiterrez to lead the United to a possible back to back championships.

Below is the NBL-US Preseason Rankings brought to you by President of Basketball Operations Kevin Williams Sr.

Preseason Rankings

1. East Houston United- 2020 NBL-US Champions

2. Marietta "Fly 93.5" Rockets- 2020 NBL Runner Up

3. South Atlanta Showtyme- Revamped Roster former High Level College players

4. Fort Lauderdale Herd- Kevin Waters former ABA Champion with Jacksonville Giants at the helm. Big time recruits

5. Space Coast Stars- Corey Williams always had a great organization in the FBA, Will be very competitive in the NBL-US

6. New Orleans Blues- Travon Matthews leads the Blues into the NBL-US with solid role players around him.

7. Baytown Bobcats- Asante Belton says this is his year to get called up overseas he wants to leave the USA with a Championship. Will be a team to watch out for.

8. Bexar County Bucs- Team struggled last year taking a step up in competition. Daniel Walker as retooled but will it be enough in a talented National Conference?

Coach of the Year- Kevin Waters: Fort Lauderdale Herd. https://basketball.usbasket.com/coach/Kevin-Waters/Jacksonville_Giants/15098 has won on every level of basketball he is a players coach and a organization changer. One of the best coaches I have worked with the Herd are championship contenders so you have to put him at the top going into the season.

MVP- Asante Belton: https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Asante-Belton/UBA/Baton-Rouge-Timberwolves/527710 I believe after last years playoffs when he scored 36 against the United he will come out this season looking to finish what he started. The Bobcats is built for his style of play if he can get the Bobcats into the finals his numbers will speak for itself.

Rookie of the Year: Dylan Spriggins- https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Dylan-Spriggins/Armenia/Cilicia-BC-Yerevan/352144East Houston United. Returning home from a stint overseas he starts his first season in the NBL with the defending champions. A do it all guard, he will flourish in the run and gun system the United has. Look for big numbers from Spriggins this season.

All NBL Team

Center: Raekwon Long- https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Raekwon-Long/Reg-VII/Chattanooga-State-Community-College/337701 South Atlanta Showtyme

PF- Corey Alpough-https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Corey-Alpough/NBL-US/East-Houston-United/332433 East Houston United

SF- Travon Matthews- https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Travon-Matthews/NABL/Miss-Lou-Warriors/437812 New Orleans Blues

SG- Jay Daniel-https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Jasten-Daniel/ABA/Atlanta-Aliens/496942 Marietta Rockets

PG- Asante Belton-https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Asante-Belton/UBA/Baton-Rouge-Timberwolves/527710 Baytown Bobcats

American Conference Champion- Fort Lauderdale Herd

National Conference Champion- East Houston United

Finals

East Houston United defeats Fort Lauderdale Herd 2-1

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