Men’s Basketball Sports Structures Prepared by the Amateurism Certification Staff August 2011 The following documents were drafted by the NCAA Eligibility Center’s amateurism certification staff and are intended to provide useful information to the NCAA membership regarding international men’s basketball structures. The staff gathered the information included hereafter during the course of its reviews, analyses of written federation and league rules, and through direct correspondence with international entities and third parties with knowledge of the structures described. It is envisioned that this information will be used to provide general, baseline information to our member institutions to assist with recruitment of international prospective student-athletes. Institutions should continue to work collaboratively with the amateurism certification staff to gather the specific and often unique athletics experiences of their prospective student-athletes and appropriately apply NCAA amateurism legislation to those facts. Notably, due to the often difficult circumstances relating to the ability to gather complete and accurate information from international entities, not to mention obvious language barriers, the staff cannot guarantee that information gathered during every review will correspond exactly with the information in these documents. Moreover, it is not uncommon for the statuses of federations, teams, leagues and athletes in a particular league to change from year to year. Additionally, with the recent changes in Division I professional team legislation, it is to be anticipated that an increasing number of differently compensated prospective student-athletes will seek certification in the future. The above described status changes and the possibility for new and potentially different information to be obtained by the staff as more prospective student- athletes request certification may require frequent supplementation or amendment and could render existing information outdated. For these reasons, member institutions should not rely solely on this information when it comes to recruiting and admission decisions. Accordingly, information included herein may not be used in reinstatement or waiver requests . Questions relating to international men’s basketball, either as outlined in the following documents or generally, should be directed to the NCAA Eligibility Center amateurism certification staff. Last updated August 17, 2011.
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Men’s Basketball Sports Structures Prepared by the Amateurism Certification Staff August 2011
The following documents were drafted by the NCAA Eligibility Center’s amateurism certification staff and are intended to provide useful information to the NCAA membership regarding international men’s basketball structures. The staff gathered the information included hereafter during the course of its reviews, analyses of written federation and league rules, and through direct correspondence with international entities and third parties with knowledge of the structures described. It is envisioned that this information will be used to provide general, baseline information to our member institutions to assist with recruitment of international prospective student-athletes. Institutions should continue to work collaboratively with the amateurism certification staff to gather the specific and often unique athletics experiences of their prospective student-athletes and appropriately apply NCAA amateurism legislation to those facts. Notably, due to the often difficult circumstances relating to the ability to gather complete and accurate information from international entities, not to mention obvious language barriers, the staff cannot guarantee that information gathered during every review will correspond exactly with the information in these documents. Moreover, it is not uncommon for the statuses of federations, teams, leagues and athletes in a particular league to change from year to year. Additionally, with the recent changes in Division I professional team legislation, it is to be anticipated that an increasing number of differently compensated prospective student-athletes will seek certification in the future. The above described status changes and the possibility for new and potentially different information to be obtained by the staff as more prospective student-athletes request certification may require frequent supplementation or amendment and could render existing information outdated. For these reasons, member institutions should not rely solely on this information when it comes to recruiting and admission decisions. Accordingly, information included herein may not be used in reinstatement or waiver requests. Questions relating to international men’s basketball, either as outlined in the following documents or generally, should be directed to the NCAA Eligibility Center amateurism certification staff.
Last updated August 17, 2011.
AUSTRALIA
Leagues. The top leagues in Australia are the following:
1. National Basketball League (NBL).
2. State-Based Leagues.
a. South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL).
b. Big V.
c. Central ABL.
d. Queensland Australian Basketball League (QABL).
e. Waratah.
3. Australian State Basketball League (SBL).
National Basketball League. Website: http://www.nbl.com.au
Overview: Self-recognized as “one of the premiere basketball leagues in the world,” the
National Basketball League (NBL) is the top professional basketball league in Australia. Most
NBL teams feature one or two American players (teams are limited to having two non-
Australians on the roster at any one time). The inclusion of foreign players highlights the
professional make-up of the NBL, a league where most players are paid above actual and
necessary expenses. [Note: There have been instances where junior players stated that they
were not compensated for their participation.] Adding to the professional component of the NBL
– all nine teams in the league are sponsored by major corporations, NBL teams abide by a
$1,000,000 salary cap, the NBL’s home page contains a database of league certified agents, and
NBL rosters are riddled with players having agents and former NCAA basketball players seeking
to continue their basketball careers in Australia.
All players in the NBL sign some form of agreement and some of these agreements provide for
compensation above actual and necessary expenses. In some instances there have been players
that have only signed a “registration form.” Though this form has been interpreted as being a
professional contract under the old professional team legislation because it enabled a prospective
student-athlete to compete with a professional team, the form did not stipulate compensation.
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the
academic certification staff’s experience with Australian prospective student-athletes with NBL
experience.
Division I:
An agreement was signed. [Note: Players who compete in NBL games will have signed
either a professional contract and/or a player registration form. All players will have
Any participation in the state-based leagues will constitute organized competition under
NCAA Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
Australian State Basketball League.
Overview. The Australian State Basketball League (SBL) is a regional basketball league.
Several current and former NCAA players have played in the SBL. The SBL is an amateur
league.
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation.
Division I:
No professional concerns.
Any participation in the SBL will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division I
Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II:
Any participation in the SBL will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division
II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Leagues. The top five basketball divisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina are the following:
1. D1.
2. D2 (comprised of A1, D1 Srpska Liga and Herceg-Bosne leagues).
3. Lower divisions (three Liga R leagues, three A2 leagues and D2 Srpska).
The D1 League. Federation website: http://www.basket.ba/
Overview. The basketball championship of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top basketball competition in the country. The league is comprised mainly of players from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it is not uncommon to find players from other Balkan countries (primarily Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia) playing for Bosnian teams. Some teams have occasionally had an import player from the United States or Europe. According to Eurobasket profiles, top players in the A1 league typically have agents. The league is composed of 12 teams, with each team playing others twice, once at home and once on the road. At the end of this stage, the top six move on to “League 8” to compete against each other and Bosnia and Herzegovina's two representatives in the Adriatic League, KK Bosna and HKK Široki. This level is commonly referred to as Stage Two. The top four finishers of Stage Two then go to the playoffs, culminating in a final best-of-five series, in which a Bosnian champion is crowned. [Note: In some years only four teams move on to Stage Two, and the League is instead referred to as “League 6,” because six teams compete rather than eight.] The eight teams that do not make the playoffs compete in the "relegation league," where each team competes to maintain its standing to play in D1 competition the following year. The two teams that finish lowest in the standings are relegated down to D2. Meanwhile, the winners of two D2 Leagues (A1 and D1 Srpska Liga) are invited to be promoted to D1 competition the next year. [Note: At the end of the 2009-10 season, the winner of the Herceg-Bosne League (also considered D2 level) was also promoted to D1 competition, making the 2010-11 season a competition starting with 13 teams.]
League Registration Information. According to the bylaws of the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted on January 26, 2010, all players are required to register with the league and sign a statement/application to play. If a player is under 18, the registration document must be signed by his parent or legal guardian. Additionally, each player signs a contract with his club setting forth the parties’ respective rights and obligations. Contracts will be one of three types (as directly translated from federation rules): (a) profesionalni ugovori (professional contracts), (b) ugovori o stipendiranjui I sportskom usavrsavanju (contracts on issuance of a stipend and on sports development), or (c) ugovori o materijalnoj stimulaciji (contracts on material incentive).
BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA July, 2011 Page No. 2 _________
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the amateurism certification staff’s experience with prospective student-athletes from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Division I:
• Strong likelihood that an agreement was signed. • Top-level players have a strong likelihood for payment above actual and necessary
expenses. • Professional team analysis is a strong concern for prospective student-athletes that enrolled
in college before fall 2010.
• Any participation in the D1 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II:
• Any participation in the D1 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
The D2 League. Federation website: http://www.basket.ba/
Overview. D2 Competition is the second level in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is comprised of three separate leagues: A1, D1 Srpska Liga and Herceg-Bosne. Each League has 11 to 12 teams that are easily identifiable through Eurobasket. The teams in these leagues are typically comprised of players from Bosnia, with the rare exception being a player from another neighboring Balkan country. The league does not market itself as a professional league and the teams are not believed to meet the NCAA definition of a professional team. However, the potential movement of a team from the D2 level up to D1 as the team and/or league develops can create cause for concern.
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation.
Division I: • Possibility that the best players are receiving payment above actual and necessary
BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA July, 2011 Page No. 3 _________
• Professional team analysis is a potential concern for prospective student-athletes who enrolled in college before fall 2010.
• Any participation in the D2 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA
Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II:
• Any participation in the D2 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
Lower divisions.
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. Division I: • Very unlikely that even the best players are receiving payment above actual and necessary
expenses. • Professional team analysis is a potential concern for prospective student-athletes that
enrolled in college before fall 2010. • Participation in a Liga R division, A2 division or in D2 Srpska will constitute organized
competition under NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II:
• Any participation in the LBL will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
Information to gather from prospective student-athletes from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Any signed document. • Ask questions relating to playing for teams in other Balkan countries such as Serbia,
Montenegro, Croatia and Kosovo.
BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA July, 2011 Page No. 4 _________
Inter-League Play.
Adriatic League. Two teams (KK Bosna and HKK Široki) also participate in the Adriatic League and join the D1 league at Stage Two. The Adriatic League features teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, all of which are former republics of SFR Yugoslavia. Each team plays every other team home and away and the top teams advance to a playoff round to crown a league champion. Adriatic League clubs play in domestic leagues at the same time, and some also play in the Euroleague.
Euroleague. The Euroleague features teams from throughout Europe. Team selection in the Euroleague is based on a formula derived from competitive performance, television revenues and home attendance. Bosnia and Herzegovina teams rarely qualify for Euroleague competition.
If old rule is applicable or for Division II transfers, the number of games in which the
prospective student-athlete competed for the team.
Regional Leagues.
Overview. Brazil has over 700 FIBA registered clubs, with primarily local and regional play.
Occasionally a team may exist at a regional level, but also compete in the BNL. (Example:
Pitagoras/Minas.)
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the
amateurism certification staff’s experience with Brazilian prospective student-athletes with
regional league experience.
Division I:
Low possibility that there has been payment above actual and necessary expenses.
Professional team analysis is a possible concern for prospective student-athletes who
enrolled in college before fall 2010.
Participation in a regional league will most likely constitute organized competition.
Division II:
Participation in a regional league will most likely constitute organized competition.
Post-enrollment concerns are similar to those listed above for Division I.
Information to gather from prospective student-athletes who competed in a regional
league.
All signed documents.
Payment information if applicable.
If old rule is applicable or for Division II transfers, the highest salary for any player on the
prospective student-athlete’s team each season.
If old rule is applicable or for Division II transfers, the number of games in which the
prospective student-athlete competed for the team.
CROATIA
Leagues. The top four basketball leagues/divisions in Croatia are the following:
1. A-1 League.
2. A-2 League.
3. B and C Leagues.
The A Leagues. Website. http://www.hks-cbf.hr/ Overview. According to the Registration Regulations of the Croatian Basketball Federation, dated July 2008, the highest level clubs are organized as follows: (a) clubs with professional status in A-1 men’s league; (b) clubs with amateur status in A-1 men’s league; and (c) clubs in the A-2 men’s league. Clubs in each of these three categories must meet specific requirements relating to the number of players that it has under each of three types of contracts: (a) Contract of Sport Specialization, (b) Contract of Amateur Play, and (c) Contract of Professional Play. The A-1 League.
Overview. The A-1 league is the top men’s Croatian league. Team rules vary based on whether the A-1 team has “professional status” under Croatian regulations. Every club in the A-1 men’s league must register with the Registry of Professional Clubs that is kept by the Ministry of Sports, or it is considered an amateur sports club under those regulations. A-1 teams also compete in the Euroleague and the Adriatic League.
Clubs with professional status in the A-1 league can license a maximum of 20 players during a competition season, regardless of whether they are junior or senior players. Out of this number, at least 11 players must have Contracts of Professional Play. Other players who do not have professional status must have a Contract of Amateur Play or Contract of Sports Specialization. A club with professional status that falls to the lower competition level (the A-2 league) can retain up to nine contracts of professional play in the lower competition level for the next competition season. Clubs with amateur status in the A-1 league can license a maximum of 20 players during a competition season, regardless of whether they are junior or senior players. At most, nine of those players can have Contracts of Professional Play. Other players who do not have professional status must have a Contract of Amateur Play or Contract of Sports Specialization. Adriatic League. The Adriatic League features teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, all of which are former republics of SFR Yugoslavia. Four Croatian A-1 teams also participate in the Adriatic League and join the A-1 league at a later stage each season. Each Adriatic League club plays in its country’s domestic league and some also play in the Euroleague. Adriatic League competition consists of each team playing every
CROATIA July, 2011 Page No. 2 _________ other team home and away, with the top teams advancing to a playoff round to crown a league champion. Euroleague. The Euroleague features the best teams from throughout Europe and team selection is based on a formula derived from competitive performance, television revenues and home attendance. One Croatian A-1 team has participated in the Euroleague for at least the past five years (Cibona). Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the amateurism certification staff’s experience with Croatian prospective student-athletes with experience in the A-1 League. Division I: • Strong likelihood that an agreement was signed. • Possibility for payment above actual and necessary expenses (stronger likelihood for senior
players). • Professional team analysis is a strong concern for prospective student-athletes who enrolled
in college before fall 2010. • Any participation in the A-1 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA
Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5. Division II: • Any participation in the A-1 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA
Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
• Post-enrollment concerns are similar to those listed above for Division I. The A-2 League.
Overview. The A-2 League is the second men’s Croatian league. Clubs with a team in the A-2 league can license a maximum of 20 players during a competition season, regardless of whether they are senior or junior players. At most, nine players can have Professional Contracts. Other licensed players can, but are not required to, have Contracts of Amateur Play or Contracts of Sports Specialization.
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the amateurism certification staff’s experience with Croatian prospective student-athletes with experience in the A-2 League.
CROATIA July, 2011 Page No. 3 _________ Division I: • Possibility that an agreement was signed. • Possibility for payment above actual and necessary expenses. • Professional team analysis is a strong concern for prospective student-athletes who enrolled
in college before fall 2010.
• Any participation in the A-2 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II: • Any participation in the A-2 League will constitute organized competition under NCAA
Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
• Post-enrollment concerns are similar to those listed above for NCAA Division I.
B and C Leagues.
Overview. B and C leagues are lower leagues that are not presently considered to be a risk for Division I professional concerns. Clubs with a team in the B or C League can license a maximum of 20 players during a competition season, regardless of whether they are senior or junior players. They can, but are not required to have, signed Contracts of Amateur Play with a maximum ten senior Players. Other licensed players can, but are not required to have Contracts of Sports Specialization.
Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the amateurism certification staff’s experience with Croatian prospective student-athletes with experience in the B League.
Division I: • Possibility that some sort of agreement was signed. • Low probability for payment above actual and necessary expenses. • Professional team analysis is not a strong concern for prospective student-athletes who
enrolled in college before fall 2010.
CROATIA July, 2011 Page No. 4 _________ • Any participation in the B and C Leagues will constitute organized competition under
NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5. Division II: • Any participation in the B and C Leagues will constitute organized competition under
NCAA Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2.
• Post-enrollment concerns are similar to those listed above for NCAA Division I.
Information to gather from prospective student-athletes who competed in Croatia.
• All signed agreements, including Contracts of Professional Play, Contract of Amateur Play or Contract of Sports Specialization.
• Gross amount of monthly stipend or salary provided to prospective student-athlete if
applicable. • Lodging arrangements and whether team provided the expense cost-free or at a reduced
price. • Number of meals per week provided by the club. • As close to actual values for all other Bylaw 12.02.4(a) expenses including
contemporaneous documentation. • If old rule is applicable or for Division II transfers, the highest salary provided to any
player on the prospective student-athlete’s team each season. • If old rule is applicable or for Division II transfers, the number of games in which the
prospective student-athlete competed for the team.
FRANCE
Leagues. The top five basketball leagues/divisions in France are the following:
1. LNB Pro A.
2. LNB Pro B.
3. NM1.
4. NM2.
5. NM3.
The Ligue Nationale de Basket (Pro A and B). Website. http://www.lnb.fr/
Overview. The Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB) is the top men’s French professional
basketball league, and consists of two divisions, Pro A and Pro B. Teams move back and forth
from Pro A and B through a relegation/promotion system that also involves the Nationale
Masculine (NM) 1 league. The two teams with the worst regular season record in Pro A are
regulated to Pro B. On the other hand, the Pro B regular season and playoff champions are
promoted to Pro A while the bottom two Pro B teams are relegated to the NM1 League.
Espoir (junior) team player salaries. In addition to their top (professional) teams, Pro A and
Pro B clubs also have a number of junior teams, including their minime (13 and 14 year-olds),
cadet (15, 16 and 17 year-olds), and espoir (U21) teams. The junior teams are not considered
professional by the LNB, but individuals as young as cadet players can sign espoir agreements
that set forth a monthly indemnity (compensation, for purposes of NCAA legislation).
Generally, those players compete at the espoir level (and often a handful of games each year on
the professional team) and are the young players who the club believes have a chance to one day
play professionally.
There are two types of espoir contracts, aspirant and stagiaire (specifically labeled, “Engagement
de Joueur Aspirant” and “Engagement de Joueur Stagiaire”). There is also a corresponding
agreement signed by players under such contracts, entitled “Convention de formation pour la
discipline basket.” Although not all espoir players sign these agreements, the majority of
prospective student-athletes did sign, as reviewed by the amateurism certification staff. In
addition to defining the financial support the player is receiving, an espoir agreement also
enables a player to compete on the professional team.
There are four levels of aspirant and two levels of stagiare status, which directly relate to a
player’s compensation level. Specifics regarding the compensation levels are set forth in the
LNB Player Statute. Espoir pay is defined under a point system with a corresponding point
value (in Euro) that increases yearly based on economic influences. The minimum gross
Leagues. The top four basketball leagues/divisions in Spain are the following:
1. ACB - Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto (18 teams).
2. LEB Gold - Liga Española de Baloncesto Adecco Oro (18 teams).
3. LEB Silver - Liga Española de Baloncesto Adecco Plata (15 teams).
4. EBA - Española de Baloncesto Amateur (80 teams in 5 groups).
The Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto (ACB) and Española de Baloncesto Amateur (EBA). Overview. The Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto (ACB) is the top men’s Spanish professional basketball league. It is considered to be one of the top basketball leagues in the world. The league’s website advertises itself as professional and several renowned Spanish basketball players play (or have played) in the ACB (e.g. Marc and Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio). ACB contracts can pay in the millions annually, and the majority of the players have agents. Any prospective student-athlete who has played significant amount of time in the ACB will likely have amateurism issues. Though full-time ACB players are almost unquestionably professional, the professionalism of a player becomes convoluted when analyzing a player who has been called up from junior teams for a minimal amount of competition. Many ACB teams are affiliated with junior or Española de Baloncesto Amateur (EBA) teams. The EBA is the fourth-highest level in Spanish basketball and consists of 80 teams [Note: The majority of EBA teams are not an affiliated with an ACB professional team.] The EBA is considered the premiere amateur league in Spain and teams have consistently stressed the amateur makeup of the league [Note: Sources have stated that it is in the league’s bylaws that players in the EBA cannot be paid – unconfirmed.] Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the amateurism certification staff’s experience with Spanish prospective student-athletes with ACB and EBA experience. ACB. Website. http://www.acb.com/ Division I: • Strong likelihood that a contract was signed.
• Strong possibility that there has been payment above actual and necessary expenses. • Professional team analysis is a strong concern for prospective student-athletes who enrolled
• Any participation in the ACB will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II: • Any participation in the ACB will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division
II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2. • Post-enrollment concerns are similar to those listed above for Division I. EBA. Website. http://www.feb.es Division I: • Any participation in the EBA will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division
I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II: • Any participation in the EBA will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division
II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2. Ligas Española de Baloncesto Oro (LEB Gold) and Plata (LEB Silver). Website. http://www.feb.es Overview. Liga Española de Baloncesto (LEB) is divided into two divisions – LEB Gold and LEB Silver. The divisions of this league are best described as semi-professional since the clubs generally provide salaries to their best (usually import) players. There is great diversity in the age and nationality of the players in the LEB. Many LEB players have agents and several former NCAA student-athletes participate in the league. Accordingly, from an NCAA perspective, the strongest concerns relate to the old professional team rule and; therefore, prospective student-athletes who are transferring from junior college or from foreign institution and who enrolled before fall 2010. [Note: There could be rare instances when a professional player from the LEB is attempting to be a first-time enrollee at an NCAA institution.] Application of NCAA Amateurism Legislation. The following information is based on the amateurism certification staff’s experience with Spanish prospective student-athletes with LEB experience.
• Possibility that there has been payment above actual and necessary expenses.
• Professional team analysis is a strong concern for prospective student-athletes that enrolled
in college before fall 2010.
• Any participation in the LEB will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division I Bylaws 14.2.3.2.1 and 14.2.3.5.
Division II: • Any participation in the LEB will constitute organized competition under NCAA Division
II Bylaw 14.2.4.2.1.2. • Post-enrollment concerns are similar to those listed above for Division I. Canarias Basketball Academy. The amateurism certification staff reviews many prospective student-athletes who participate with the Canarias Basketball Academy (CBA). The CBA is located in the Gran Canary Islands (Spanish territory) and offers multiple programs such as a full-time high school, a program for prospective student-athletes in their post-graduate year as well as professional training and summer camp opportunities. While no Bylaw 12 violations have been processed for prospective student-athletes from the CBA to date, Bylaw 14 conditions are common because prospective student-athletes are often times delaying their collegiate enrollment and competing in organized competition during their delay.