About Us
Our Mission Statement
Ascend Basketball is dedicated to promoting excellence in semi-professional basketball. We provide a competitive platform for emerging talents, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Our mission is to elevate the game of basketball while nurturing players' growth both on and off the court.
ABOUT THE ASCEND BASKETBALL LEAGUE
The Ascend Basketball League (ABL) is a professional developmental basketball league headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to create opportunities for athletes to compete, develop and prepare for the next level. Built around professionalism, accountability, community and continual growth, Ascend seeks to provide a high-quality competitive environment for players, coaches, officials and Member Clubs while strengthening the communities they represent.
NEW ASCEND BASKETBALL LEAGUE FORMED WITH FOCUS ON PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONALISM AND OPPORTUNITY
New professional developmental basketball league aims to create a proving ground for athletes seeking the next level
Announcing the formation of the Ascend Basketball League (ABL), a new professional developmental basketball league created to provide athletes with meaningful competition, increased exposure and a pathway toward the next level of their careers.
Operating under the motto “Every Game Is An Audition,” the Ascend Basketball League will place player development at the center of its mission while establishing high expectations for its teams, coaches, players and league operations.
The league is being built around a belief that development requires more than playing time. Athletes need quality competition, strong coaching, accountability, professional environments and opportunities to demonstrate that they are prepared for whatever comes next.
“We believe that excellence is not achieved by demanding perfection, but by expecting continual growth,” said a championship-winning pro preparing to lead one of the Ascend teams into competition in the new league. “There are talented young men who simply need an opportunity, structure and people willing to expect more from them. We want Ascend to be a place where players are challenged, supported and given the chance to show what they can become.”
MORE THAN A BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Organizers say the Ascend Basketball League is being intentionally designed as a developmental ecosystem rather than simply another collection of teams and games.
The league will emphasize professional game operations, competitive standards, player and coach development, community involvement, organizational accountability and opportunities for athletes to gain exposure to higher levels of basketball.
Its founding philosophy also recognizes that development is rarely a straight line.
Ascend intends to create a culture where accountability and personal growth can exist together. When mistakes occur, the league's developing governance structure emphasizes correction, education and restorative progress when appropriate—without compromising expectations for professionalism or conduct.
Players will be expected to represent themselves, their teams, their communities and the league professionally. In return, Ascend intends to establish clear expectations for how players are treated by the organizations entrusted with their development.
A FUNDAMENTAL GOAL
The Ascend Basketball League is being developed with athletes seeking opportunities beyond their current level in mind.
For some, that may mean professional basketball overseas or opportunities within higher levels of the American professional game. For others, the experience may open doors into coaching, leadership, business or careers beyond basketball.
The common denominator is growth.
Every practice is preparation.
Every opportunity matters.
And every game is an audition.
The league also plans to develop relationships with basketball organizations, community partners and others who share its commitment to creating opportunities for emerging athletes.
Additional announcements regarding league leadership, participating teams, competition structure, schedules and the Ascend Basketball League's inaugural season will be released as plans are finalized.
“Our responsibility is bigger than determining who wins a basketball game,” the championship-winning pro said. “If a young man leaves this league a better player, a better teammate and better prepared for his next opportunity than when he arrived, then we have accomplished something meaningful.”
The Ascend Basketball League is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a community with a deep basketball tradition and a long history of supporting athletes at every level of the game.
For its founders, the goal is not simply to add another league to the basketball landscape.
It is to build one worthy of the people who participate in it.
The Ascend Basketball League.
Every Game Is An Audition.