National Rookie League
The National Rookie League (NRL) was an American unaffiliated minor league for the National Basketball Association that completed its inaugural season in August, 2000.
.gif) National Rookie League Logo | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 |
| Ceased | 2002 |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Country | United States |
| Last champion(s) | Baltimore Blaze (1st title) |
| Most titles | Baltimore Blaze (1 title) |
The NRL was exclusive to players under the age of 24 and was designed to help prepare the nation's most talented young athletes for a professional basketball career. Players who left their college teams to play in the NRL were offered full tuition for the college of their choice, or free tuition at University of Denver.
The league consisted of six teams, located on the eastern side of the country: Baltimore Blaze, Washington Justice, Philadelphia Force,the Delaware Destroyers, the Gotham City Knights and the Charleston (West Virginia) Travelers. The inaugural champions were the Washington Justice in 2000.
The National Rookie League was disbanded in 2002. Several former NRL players were offered tryouts or contracts with the NBA, other domestic minor league teams and overseas leagues.