Elite Basketball League

The Elite Basketball League (EBL) is a semi-professional men's basketball league that began play in the fall of 2014.

History

There were 10 charter members competing in the first season, based around Arkansas. The EBL season begins in October and concludes with league playoffs in late April/early May. The first league championship (2014–15) was won by the Little Rock Diamonds, who defeated regular season winner Arkadelphia Bulldogs. The game was played on the campus of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.

Season two began in October 2015 with nine teams, three (Arkansas Dream, Arkansas Golden Knights and Ridge City Rippers) new to the league. First season champion Little Rock Diamonds did not return along with Arkansas Premier and Spa City Outlaws. Arkadelphia Bulldogs left to help form a new league, the Elite International Basketball Association.

Bobby Johnson of Southwest Flight set a league-record by scoring 70 points in a game played on February 9, 2016 against the Golden Knights. Johnson bested the previous record of 61 points by Billy Berry of Arkansas Showstoppers.

Regular season winner Arkansas Elite went on to win the nine-team playoffs (best-of 3 series each round) to capture the 2016 championship. Elite defeated Southwest Flight in two-straight games.

Teams

Team

City

Arena

First season in EBL

North Division

Delta Storm

Jonesboro, Arkansas

Arkansas Baptist College

2014

Jonesboro Shooters Inc.

Joneboro, Arkansas

Arkansas Baptist College

2016

Mountain Home Twin Lakers

Mountain Home, Arkansas

Mountain Home Junior High

2016

Nashville Nets

Nashville, Tennessee

TBD

2016

Ridge City Rippers

Black Rock, Arkansas

TBD

2015

Tennessee Hornets

Nashville, Tennessee

TBD

2016

Tennessee Sting

Nashville, Tennessee

TBD

2016

West Memphis Raining 3s

West Memphis, Arkansas

TBD

2016

South Division

Arkansas Dragons

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Gospel Light Baptist School

2014

Arkansas Elite

Bryant, Arkansas

Jack Stephens Center

2014

Conway Kings

Conway, Arkansas

Hendrix College

2016

Mid City Bears

TBD

2016

North Little Rock Knights

Little Rock, Arkansas

Rose City Community Center

2015

North Little Rock North Stars

Little Rock, Arkansas

Rose City Community Center

2016

South Arkansas Orange Storm

Warren, Arkansas

TBD

2016

Southwest Flight

El Dorado, Arkansas

Salvation Army Gymnasium

2014

Former teams

  • Arkadelphia Bulldogs (2014–15)
  • Arkansas Dream (2015)
  • Arkansas Legends (2014–15)
  • Arkansas Premier (2014–15)
  • Arkansas Showstoppers (2014–15)
  • Little Rock Diamonds (2014–15)
  • Spa City Outlaws (2014–15)

Champions

Season

Champion

Runner-up

Result

2014–15

Little Rock Diamonds

Arkadelphia Bulldogs

93-83

2015–16

Arkansas Elite

Southwest Flight

2-0 (best-of 3)