Semi-Pro Basketball Teams by State: Find Professional & Minor-League Teams in 2027
Last updated: November 4, 2026
Looking for semi-pro basketball teams near you? There are basketball organizations across the United States competing outside the NBA and NBA G League, including teams in the American Basketball Association (ABA), The Basketball League (TBL), and East Coast Basketball League (ECBL).
But finding these teams isn't always easy.
Some leagues have more than 100 organizations spread across multiple regions. Others operate with smaller regional conferences. Teams can change locations, enter new markets, or stop competing between seasons.
If you're trying to play professional or semi-professional basketball in 2027, knowing which teams exist is the first step.
This guide explains where to find lower-league basketball teams, which leagues to research, and how to pursue a tryout or roster opportunity.
Find Semi-Pro Basketball Teams Near You
The best place to begin is with your state and the surrounding region.
Rather than focusing only on the most recognizable professional leagues, consider organizations operating within driving distance of where you live.
Search Basketball Teams by State and League
Cancha Labs is developing a searchable basketball team directory designed to help players discover organizations across multiple leagues in one place.
The planned directory will allow athletes to search by:
Team name
State
City
Basketball league
The goal is to make it easier to discover teams without visiting every league's website individually.
The interactive team search is not yet available. Until it launches, use the official league directories linked below to research organizations.
Want Contact Information for a Basketball Team?
Finding a team is only the beginning. The next challenge is identifying the right coach, general manager, or basketball operations contact.
Cancha Labs is expanding its athlete contact platform into basketball.
Visit Cancha Labs to learn about the platform and future basketball contact availability.
Which Semi-Pro Basketball Leagues Have Teams in the United States?
Several basketball leagues provide competitive opportunities outside the NBA system.
American Basketball Association (ABA)
The ABA is one of the largest independent basketball organizations in the United States.
Its league website reports more than 100 teams divided into four regions:
East
Central
South
West
Teams operate in numerous states, including Georgia, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, California, and Arizona.
The ABA's regional structure makes it a useful starting point for athletes researching local basketball opportunities.
Examples of teams appearing in league directories include the Atlanta Aliens, Austin Bats, Buffalo eXtreme, Chicago Fury, and Las Vegas Royals.
Find ABA teams: https://www.realabaleague.com/teams
Team participation can change from season to season. Confirm that an organization is operating before contacting it about tryouts.
The Basketball League (TBL)
The Basketball League is an independent professional basketball competition with teams across the United States and Canada.
According to its published league information, TBL has more than 35 teams across numerous markets.
The league generally operates a spring basketball season, with games beginning in March and concluding in June.
Examples of organizations listed by TBL include:
Raleigh Firebirds — Raleigh, North Carolina
Fayetteville Liberty — Fayetteville, North Carolina
Jacksonville 95ers — Jacksonville, Florida
Kokomo BobKats — Kokomo, Indiana
Columbus Wizards — Columbus, Ohio
Enid Outlaws — Enid, Oklahoma
Potawatomi Fire — Shawnee, Oklahoma
Newfoundland Rogues — Newfoundland, Canada
These examples are not a guarantee that every team will participate in the 2027 season.
Find TBL teams: https://thebasketballleague.net/
East Coast Basketball League (ECBL)
The East Coast Basketball League is a regional minor-league basketball competition with organizations concentrated in the eastern United States.
Its smaller geographic footprint can make it particularly relevant for players in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Examples of organizations appearing in ECBL materials include:
PrimeTime Players — Fort Mill, South Carolina
Winston-Salem Wolfpack — Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Petersburg Cavaliers — Petersburg, Virginia
North Carolina Capitals — Raleigh, North Carolina
Goldsboro Wings — Goldsboro, North Carolina
The league has also announced player evaluation opportunities ahead of its 2027 season.
Find ECBL information: https://www.eastcoastbasketballleague.org/
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams by State
Below are examples of basketball organizations in selected states and regions.
This is not a complete list of every active team in the country. Teams are included as research starting points based on published league information, and 2027 participation should be confirmed individually.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in Georgia
Georgia has multiple organizations associated with independent basketball leagues.
ABA team directories include:
Atlanta Aliens — Atlanta
Atlanta Defenders — Atlanta
Stonecrest Strong Steppers — Stonecrest
Columbus Skyhawks — Columbus
Albany Team Motion — Albany
Players in Atlanta and surrounding areas can begin by researching these organizations and checking their official announcements for tryouts or roster evaluations.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in Florida
Florida has organizations associated with both the ABA and TBL.
Examples include:
Jacksonville 95ers — Jacksonville, TBL
Kissimmee Lambs — Kissimmee, TBL
Tallahassee Musketeers — Tallahassee, ABA
St. Augustine Glory — St. Augustine, ABA
Brevard Aces — Brevard County, ABA
Florida players should check both leagues rather than limiting their search to a single competition.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in Texas
Texas has an extensive independent basketball market.
Examples of teams listed in ABA or TBL materials include:
Austin Bats — Austin, ABA
Frisco Blaze — Frisco, ABA
Wichita Falls Netburners — Wichita Falls, ABA
Midlothian Marshals — Midlothian, ABA
Dallas Stampede — Dallas, TBL
Because Texas is geographically large, searching by city or metropolitan area is especially useful.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in North Carolina
North Carolina has opportunities across several independent basketball leagues.
Examples include:
Raleigh Firebirds — Raleigh, TBL
Fayetteville Liberty — Fayetteville, TBL
High Point Pistons — High Point, ABA
Reidsville Reapers — Reidsville, ABA
Winston-Salem Wolfpack — Winston-Salem, ECBL
North Carolina Capitals — Raleigh, ECBL
North Carolina is a particularly useful example of why a cross-league basketball directory can help athletes. Players can research organizations from multiple leagues in the same state.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in New York
ABA regional listings include organizations such as:
Buffalo eXtreme — Buffalo
Binghamton Bulldogs — Binghamton
Rochester Reapers — Rochester
Syracuse Monarchs — Syracuse
Herkimer Originals — Herkimer
Players should verify each team's current schedule and recruiting process before traveling.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in California
ABA directories include several California basketball organizations.
Examples include:
San Diego MOB — San Diego
San Diego Suns — San Diego
San Jose Knights — San Jose
San Jose Wolfpack — San Jose
Antelope Valley Bulls — Antelope Valley
Inland Empire Dawgs — Inland Empire
The state has organizations across multiple metropolitan areas, making location-based research especially important.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in Pennsylvania
Examples from published ABA directories include:
Philly Thunder — Philadelphia
Philly Uptown Ballers — Philadelphia
Steel City Yellow Jackets — Pittsburgh
Central PA Kings — Central Pennsylvania
Players should check current team announcements and official contact channels to determine whether evaluations are available.
Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in Ohio
Ohio organizations appearing in ABA and TBL materials include:
Columbus Wizards — Columbus, TBL
Glass City Wranglers — Toledo, TBL
Grove City Whitetails — Grove City, TBL
Akron Aviators — Akron, ABA
This list is intended for initial research and does not confirm open roster positions.
How to Find Semi-Pro Basketball Teams in Your State
Step 1: Identify Your Local Basketball Leagues
Begin with the ABA, TBL, and ECBL, depending on where you live.
Review each league's official team directory and identify organizations within a realistic travel distance.
Step 2: Verify the Team Is Active
Not every team appearing in an online basketball directory is necessarily competing in the upcoming season.
Before contacting a team, look for:
Recent official announcements
Upcoming games or schedules
Current league membership
An active team website or social media account
Published tryout or recruitment information
Step 3: Research the Team's Coaching Staff
Once you identify an organization, look for its head coach, general manager, player personnel staff, or other appropriate recruiting contact.
Team websites and official social media accounts are useful starting points.
Step 4: Prepare Your Basketball Profile
Before reaching out, organize your playing information.
Include your name, position, height, recent team or school, relevant statistics, highlight video, and full-game footage.
Coaches need enough information to assess whether you're a potential fit.
Step 5: Ask About Tryouts or Player Evaluations
Not every basketball team holds publicly advertised open tryouts.
Some organizations use scheduled combines, invitations, referrals, or direct player evaluations.
Contact the organization professionally to ask about its current recruitment process.
How to Join a Semi-Pro Basketball Team in 2027
Joining a lower-league basketball organization usually begins with demonstrating your playing ability and identifying an appropriate team.
A typical process may include:
Researching teams that match your level and location.
Preparing a basketball résumé and film.
Finding official tryout announcements or recruiting contacts.
Registering for an evaluation when available.
Following up professionally after the evaluation.
Individual teams determine their own eligibility requirements and selection processes.
Being listed in a basketball directory does not mean a team is currently accepting players.
Do Semi-Pro Basketball Players Get Paid?
Compensation depends on the league, organization, and individual player agreement.
Some lower-league basketball organizations offer paid opportunities. Others operate with limited budgets, expense assistance, or arrangements that may not provide a guaranteed salary.
The terms professional, semi-professional, and minor league are not interchangeable guarantees of compensation.
Before joining a team, ask whether compensation is provided, whether travel and housing are covered, and whether the agreement is documented in writing.
Never assume a roster position includes a salary simply because a league describes itself as professional.
Are There Semi-Pro Basketball Teams Near Me?
There may be independent basketball teams in your state or a neighboring state, but availability varies by region.
The most effective way to research nearby organizations is to compare multiple league directories rather than searching only for one league.
For example, a player in North Carolina could research ABA, TBL, and ECBL organizations, while a player in California might find more relevant options through western ABA teams and other regional competitions.
Cancha Labs plans to make this easier with a searchable basketball directory organized by location and league.
How to Contact Semi-Pro Basketball Coaches
Finding the right person can be more difficult than finding the team itself.
Depending on the organization, recruiting decisions may involve the head coach, general manager, team owner, or basketball operations staff.
When contacting a team, include a short introduction, your basketball experience, and a link to your game footage.
Avoid sending the same generic message to every organization.
Basketball Coach Outreach Email Example
Subject: 2027 Basketball Roster Inquiry — [Position] — [Your Name]
Hello Coach,
My name is [Your Name], and I'm a [height] [position] currently playing for [team or school].
I'm interested in learning whether your organization is evaluating players for the 2027 season.
My playing background includes [brief experience], and I've included my basketball film below.
Highlights: [Link]
Full game: [Link]
I'd appreciate any information about upcoming tryouts or opportunities to be evaluated.
Thank you for your time.
[Your Name]
Find Basketball Teams and Request Contact Information With Cancha Labs
You shouldn't have to know someone personally just to find out which basketball teams exist.
Cancha Labs is expanding beyond soccer to help athletes discover basketball organizations and pursue opportunities through direct outreach.
Our planned basketball team directory will bring together organizations across multiple leagues and allow players to search by state, city, and league.
We're also working toward making basketball coach and team contact information available through Cancha Labs.
Interested in contacting a particular team?
Visit Cancha Labs to learn more about the platform. Team-specific basketball contact requests will become available when the directory launches.
Cancha Labs is independent and is not affiliated with the ABA, TBL, ECBL, or the teams mentioned. Directory listings and access to contact information do not guarantee tryouts, roster positions, compensation, or professional contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find semi-pro basketball teams near me?
Start with the official ABA, TBL, and ECBL team directories. Look for organizations in your state or nearby cities and verify that they are currently operating.
How many semi-pro basketball teams are in the United States?
There is no single authoritative nationwide count covering every independent basketball league. The ABA alone reports more than 100 teams, while TBL reports more than 35. These figures should not simply be added together to estimate the entire market.
What states have semi-pro basketball teams?
Independent basketball leagues have listed organizations in states including Georgia, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, California, Arizona, and others.
Can you join a semi-pro basketball team without playing college basketball?
Some teams may consider players without college basketball experience. Eligibility and evaluation standards vary by organization, so contact the team directly.
Do semi-pro basketball teams hold open tryouts?
Some do. Others recruit through private evaluations, combines, or direct outreach. Check the team's current official announcements.
Do semi-pro basketball players get paid?
Some players receive compensation, but there is no universal salary across independent basketball leagues. Confirm the financial terms directly with the team.
What is the difference between the ABA and TBL?
Both operate outside the NBA system. The ABA has a large regional team network, while TBL runs an independent professional competition with its own schedule and recruiting structure.
How can I contact a semi-pro basketball coach?
Use official team channels to identify the appropriate recruiting contact. Prepare a concise introduction and basketball footage before reaching out.
Is Cancha Labs' basketball directory available yet?
The searchable basketball directory is planned but not yet live. This page currently provides league information and official directory links.
Official Basketball League Directories
American Basketball Association (ABA)
https://www.realabaleague.com/teams
The Basketball League (TBL)
https://thebasketballleague.net/
East Coast Basketball League (ECBL)
https://www.eastcoastbasketballleague.org/
This guide will be updated as basketball leagues confirm their 2027 teams and as the Cancha Labs searchable directory becomes available.