Explore the history of professional, developmental, college, women's and
international basketball leagues, including the ABA, BAA, NBL, CBA, WNBA,
NBA G League and important leagues from throughout basketball history.
The NBA's greatest rival league operated from 1967 to 1976 and featured
stars including Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore, George Gervin and Moses Malone.
Four ABA franchises joined the NBA in 1976.
Founded in 1946, the BAA included franchises such as the Boston Celtics,
New York Knicks and Philadelphia Warriors and became part of the league
history that developed into the modern NBA.
The NBL operated from 1937 to 1949 and included major early professional
teams such as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, Rochester Royals,
Minneapolis Lakers and Sheboygan Red Skins.
One of the longest-running minor professional basketball leagues in
American history and an important developmental destination for players
and coaches.
Explore the history of the Women's National Basketball Association,
including its teams, seasons, champions, players, records and major
moments since the league began play in 1997.
Major Midwestern professional league whose teams included the Lakers,
Royals and Pistons franchises that later became part of the NBA.
Basketball Association of America
1946-1949
Arena-based professional league whose history forms the direct beginning
of today's NBA record book.
National Basketball Association
1949-Present
Created when the BAA and surviving NBL organizations came together
before the 1949-50 season.
American Basketball Association
1967-1976
Major NBA rival remembered for the three-point line, red-white-and-blue
basketball and stars such as Julius Erving.
WNBA
1997-Present
The premier women's professional basketball league in the United States.
NBA G League
2001-Present
The NBA's official developmental league, originally known as the NBDL.
About Professional Basketball Leagues
The history of professional basketball is much larger than the NBA.
Dozens of professional and semi-professional leagues have operated
throughout the United States and around the world since basketball
became a spectator sport.
Some leagues directly shaped the NBA. The Basketball Association of
America and National Basketball League came together in 1949, while the
American Basketball Association challenged the NBA during the 1960s
and 1970s before four ABA franchises entered the NBA in 1976.
Other leagues played important developmental roles. The Continental
Basketball Association and United States Basketball League provided
opportunities for players, coaches and officials, while the NBA's own
developmental league eventually became today's NBA G League.
Basketball also developed internationally through Olympic competition,
world championships, regional tournaments and professional leagues
outside the United States. NBA Hoops Online documents these leagues
and competitions as part of the larger history of basketball.
