A new national youth basketball competition backed by NBA stars plans to pair elite play with development support and NIL opportunities.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are backing the Futures Basketball League, which announced its launch on November 10. The competition plans to bring together 120 leading under-18 boys players for its first season in 2027.
James is involved through LRMR Ventures with Maverick Carter, while Durant and Rich Kleiman participate through Boardroom Sports Holdings. Derrick Rose and Paolo Banchero are also among the founding owners, joining a group that spans basketball, business and media.
The league’s launch announcement outlines 12 regional teams and 10 competition weekends from April through August. Players from the high school classes of 2028 through 2031 are the intended participants, with a national championship weekend concluding the schedule.
Eligible athletes will be offered name, image and likeness compensation while retaining the ability to work with outside brands, including footwear companies. The proposed options include cash, league equity or a mixture of the two, with the equity component still subject to administrative approvals.
Player development is another part of the plan. MADE Hoops will handle operations, and HMBL Development will build individual training programs, while the league says its calendar will accommodate school seasons, college recruiting periods and major national basketball commitments.
Futures has also announced a $1 million pledge to the MADE For All Foundation, which supports youth basketball access. Team markets, player commitments, media partners and a full schedule are still to come, making Tuesday’s announcement the start of the rollout rather than a completed game calendar.
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