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The ASIAN AMERICAN
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
BASKETBALL LEAGUE
| TheHISTORY |
In August 2001, a blueprint for the Norfolk Asian American Basketball League (NAABL) was developed. The goal
was not only to organize an entertaining, competitive, and well-structured basketball league for the entire
Asian-American community, but one in which fellowship and a sense of community could be developed by
allowing people of ALL races, cultures, and backgrounds to participate. From these simple ideas, the mission
was created: "To cultivate fellowship and diversity in the community through basketball."
The inaugural season of the NAABL started was an 8 week long, 8-team league. Games were played every
Sunday at Lake Taylor Middle School in Norfolk with professional referees from the Southeastern Virginia
Basketball Official’s Association contracted to officiate the games. The schedule was created before the
season started. While some leagues/tournaments could have up to four basketball games playing at any
given time, each AABL game is played one after the other. This allows all the teams to have the undivided
attention of the fans, adding more excitement to the game-- and pressure to the players involved. This way of
scheduling has brought out the best--or worst-- in players, depending on how they handle pressure situations.
Since the league's inception, an important rule of the league is that teams are to consist of all Asian American
players, with the only exceptions being 2 roster spots which are reserved for NON-ASIAN AMERICANS. This rule
has given the Asian American players the opportunity to compete against and alongside players that have
experience playing basketball in college, semi-pro, and overseas. This has not only raised the level of
competitiveness, but the skills and experiences of the Non-Asian American players has given some of the less
seasoned players in the league more basketball knowledge. On the other hand, many Non-Asian American
players consider the AABL the most entertaining, exciting, and well-organized community basketball league that
they have ever participated in.
The league enjoyed a considerable amount of success or the first year. The games were very competitive and
even the teams that didn’t do well were quick to mention how fun the league was. Spectators and other
supporters were glad that they could relax and watch friends, old and new, play basketball in a fun, family-
oriented environment. Jim Smith, the commissioner of the official’s
association, commended the teams and the players for the sportsmanship and competitiveness displayed
throughout the season; he also couldn’t believe how well the league was organized, being it was the first year.
To say that our inaugural year was a triumph would be an understatement.
The following 2001-2005 seasons have seen the NAABL grow into a very unique entertainment and recreational
force for the Asian American community as well as the Hampton Roads area as a whole. As support for the
NAABL grows significantly each year, the entertainment value increases exponentially. The NAABL successfully
played host to an 8-team league the first two seasons. For this 2007 Season the league plays host to a 14 team
league.
The newly named AABL (the "Norfolk" has been dropped out of the name to make us a more worldly organization)
is continuously planning ways to make the league more rewarding and enjoyable for all involved and we plan to
be a mainstay of the community for years to come.
was not only to organize an entertaining, competitive, and well-structured basketball league for the entire
Asian-American community, but one in which fellowship and a sense of community could be developed by
allowing people of ALL races, cultures, and backgrounds to participate. From these simple ideas, the mission
was created: "To cultivate fellowship and diversity in the community through basketball."
The inaugural season of the NAABL started was an 8 week long, 8-team league. Games were played every
Sunday at Lake Taylor Middle School in Norfolk with professional referees from the Southeastern Virginia
Basketball Official’s Association contracted to officiate the games. The schedule was created before the
season started. While some leagues/tournaments could have up to four basketball games playing at any
given time, each AABL game is played one after the other. This allows all the teams to have the undivided
attention of the fans, adding more excitement to the game-- and pressure to the players involved. This way of
scheduling has brought out the best--or worst-- in players, depending on how they handle pressure situations.
Since the league's inception, an important rule of the league is that teams are to consist of all Asian American
players, with the only exceptions being 2 roster spots which are reserved for NON-ASIAN AMERICANS. This rule
has given the Asian American players the opportunity to compete against and alongside players that have
experience playing basketball in college, semi-pro, and overseas. This has not only raised the level of
competitiveness, but the skills and experiences of the Non-Asian American players has given some of the less
seasoned players in the league more basketball knowledge. On the other hand, many Non-Asian American
players consider the AABL the most entertaining, exciting, and well-organized community basketball league that
they have ever participated in.
The league enjoyed a considerable amount of success or the first year. The games were very competitive and
even the teams that didn’t do well were quick to mention how fun the league was. Spectators and other
supporters were glad that they could relax and watch friends, old and new, play basketball in a fun, family-
oriented environment. Jim Smith, the commissioner of the official’s
association, commended the teams and the players for the sportsmanship and competitiveness displayed
throughout the season; he also couldn’t believe how well the league was organized, being it was the first year.
To say that our inaugural year was a triumph would be an understatement.
The following 2001-2005 seasons have seen the NAABL grow into a very unique entertainment and recreational
force for the Asian American community as well as the Hampton Roads area as a whole. As support for the
NAABL grows significantly each year, the entertainment value increases exponentially. The NAABL successfully
played host to an 8-team league the first two seasons. For this 2007 Season the league plays host to a 14 team
league.
The newly named AABL (the "Norfolk" has been dropped out of the name to make us a more worldly organization)
is continuously planning ways to make the league more rewarding and enjoyable for all involved and we plan to
be a mainstay of the community for years to come.
"Cultivating fellowship and diversity in the community through basketball"