Sep 11 2025
Wilmington Wave & Lady Wave Join the National Basketball League – United States (NBL-US)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 11, 2025
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, NC — The National Basketball League – United States (NBL-US) is proud to announce that the Wilmington Wave (men’s program) and Lady Wave (women’s program) have been officially admitted to the league and will field teams across Divisions 1–4 beginning with the upcoming season cycle. The Wave franchises bring a powerful new presence to the Mid-Atlantic corridor and reflect the league’s commitment to expanding competitive, community-rooted professional development basketball opportunities for men and women.
With their admission to all four competitive tiers, Wilmington immediately establishes a full-pathway model: from top-flight Division 1 competition to developmental tiers (Divisions 2–4) that emphasize training, minutes, and advancement. This structure provides multiple entry points for athletes, coaches, and support staff to grow into higher roles while keeping the entire ecosystem in-market.
Statement from NBL-US Commissioner Lillian Countee
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Wilmington Wave and Lady Wave into the NBL-US family,” said Lillian Countee, Commissioner of the NBL-US. “Wilmington has the energy, the fans, and the regional talent base to support a complete, multi-division footprint. Our expectation is clear: the Wave organizations will set the standard for player development, professionalism, and community impact while delivering an exciting game-day experience. I’m excited to watch Wilmington build a program that elevates athletes and inspires the Carolinas.”
Why Wilmington, Why Now
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Regional Talent Pipeline: Wilmington and the broader Cape Fear region produce high-potential athletes across high school, college, and independent circuits. The Wave model retains that talent locally while offering year-round development and professional standards.
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Four-Tier Competitive Pathway (Divisions 1–4):
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Division 1: Elite competition, national profile, playoff contention.
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Division 2: High-level development with strong regional scheduling and call-up potential.
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Division 3: Roster incubation, minutes focus, and role specialization.
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Division 4: Foundational skills, return-to-play, and prospect evaluation.
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Community-First DNA: From youth programming to small-business partnerships, the Wave’s operating plan centers on local impact.
Mission, Vision & Competitive Identity
Mission: To create a coastal powerhouse for professional development basketball that advances athletes, coaches, and sports professionals while elevating Wilmington through year-round community engagement.
Vision: Build the most respected multi-division program in the Carolinas—recognized for player advancement, coaching excellence, and civic impact—and a game-day experience that feels uniquely “Wave.”
On-Court Identity:
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Pace & Pressure: Transition tempo, modern spacing, defensive pressure as a calling card.
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Player Advancement: Clear KPIs, film, analytics, and individualized development plans across all divisions.
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Unified Playbook: One system, scaled across tiers, so athletes can move up seamlessly as they progress.
Off-Court Identity:
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Education & Career Readiness: Financial literacy, media training, NIL fundamentals, and career pathway workshops.
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Health & Performance: Baseline testing, strength/conditioning standards, mental skills resources, and return-to-play protocols.
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Community Integration: School visits, youth clinics, mentorships, and small-business vendor nights at home games.
Community Impact: “Ride the Wave” Initiative
The Wave and Lady Wave will launch Ride the Wave, a year-round initiative focused on:
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Youth Access: Free/low-cost skills clinics, summer camps, and scholarship registrations.
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School & College Partnerships: Internships in sports management, media production, athletic training, and event ops.
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Local Economy: Game-day staffing, vendor activations, and sponsor spotlights to boost small businesses.
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Service & Outreach: Player-led mentorship with community organizations across New Hanover and surrounding counties.
What’s Next (More Information Coming Soon)
The organizations will release details in phases over the coming weeks:
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Executive & Front-Office Appointments – Business operations, community relations, and player personnel leadership.
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Coaching Hires – Head coaches and assistants assigned to Divisions 1–4 (men & women), aligned under a unified basketball operations framework.
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Player Tryouts & Combines – Open and invite-only sessions in Wilmington with evaluation criteria, registration links, and division placement pathways.
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Home Game Locations & Scheduling – Venue announcements and ticketing details for each division’s slate of regular-season games.
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Brand & Fan Experience – Uniform unveil, mascot/entertainment, supporters’ sections, and community programming calendar.
About the Wilmington Wave & Lady Wave
The Wilmington Wave and Lady Wave are multi-division professional development basketball franchises competing in NBL-US Divisions 1–4. Built on performance, access, and integrity, the Wave provide a structured environment for athletes to earn minutes, gain film and evaluation, and move up the ladder—all while serving the coastal community through youth engagement and local partnerships.
About the National Basketball League – United States (NBL-US)
The NBL-US is a nationwide professional development league headquartered in Houston, Texas, operating men’s and women’s programs with a focus on exposure, advancement, and community impact. Through domestic competition, international relationships, and broadcast partners, NBL-US offers athletes a platform to progress to collegiate, domestic pro, and overseas opportunities while delivering affordable, high-quality entertainment to local markets.
Media & Contact
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League Website: www.usnbl.com
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Media Inquiries: iscott@wilmingtonwave.com
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Team Updates: Official social channels for the Wilmington Wave & Lady Wave (launching soon)
Editor’s Note: Additional announcements—including staffing, coaching hires, tryout registration, and home game venues—will be published on league and team channels. Fans and partners are encouraged to follow upcoming releases and get ready to Ride the Wave.