Former LaSalle High School standout and Indiana Mr. Basketball David Magley is starting a new professional basketball league.
Magley was introduced Thursday morning as the new president and CEO of the North American Premier Basketball League. The South Bend Tribune is reporting the league will start play in January 2018.
Magley resigned this week as the commissioner of the National Basketball League of Canada. He’s forming the league with a Chicago podiatrist who also founded the Premier Basketball League (PBL).
The NAPBL has commitments from five cities: Hilo, Hawaii; Las Vegas; Rochester, N.Y.; Seattle, and Vancouver. Magley wants eight to 12 teams in the first year, with growth to 20 teams in three years. He’s eyeing franchises in former NBA and NBA D-League cities, Western Canada, and closer to home in Gary. Magley did tell the South Bend Tribune that he’d also like to place a team in Michiana, specifically pointing out that Elkhart’s North Side Gym could draw about 2,000 fans and “make a little money.”
The league is holding its first of 15 combines across North America in early August in Winnipeg. There will also be a tryout in South Bend on August 26.
