Author: Shreyas Sharma
Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) is preparing for its longest season yet, with a record 19 teams set to compete in the 2023/2024 season. The official start date is October 21, but two matches will be played earlier to accommodate the teams that will provide players for the Brazilian team at the Pan American Games. The games will be broadcast on ESPN, SporTV and the National Basketball League’s YouTube channel.
The season will see the return of traditional powerhouses such as Botafogo, Mogi Basquete and Vasco da Gama. They will join existing teams such as Bauru Basket, Brasília Basquete, Caxias do Sul, São José Basketball, Cerrado Basquete, Corinthians, Flamengo, Fortaleza Basquete Cearense, Minas Tênis Clube, Pato Basquete, Paulistano, Pinheiros, Sesi Franca, São Paulo, União Corinthians and Unifacisa.
The first matches are scheduled for Flamengo, who will face Minas on October 13 at 8pm, and Pato Basquete on October 15 at 5pm. Both will be held at Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro. The official opening of the season, on October 21, will feature a rematch of last year’s final between Franca and São Paulo. The game will kick off at 6pm at the Pedrocão Gymnasium in Franca.
Last season, Franca won their second championship title by beating São Paulo in the finals. Since its creation in 2008, the NBB has only had five different champions: Flamengo, with seven titles, Brasília, with three, Franca, with two, and Bauru and Paulistano, with one each.
However, the next season comes with its share of controversies. The Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) has withdrawn its official recognition of the NBB due to ongoing legal disputes. This decision meant that the Brazilian teams were excluded from the South American League and they are now awaiting an answer from FIBA about their participation in the Champions League of the Americas (BCLA), the main continental basketball competition.
Despite these challenges, the NBB is moving forward and fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the full season schedule. With a record number of teams and a high level of competition, the 2023/2024 NBB season promises to be one of the most exciting in its history.