Season 7 Tips Off Saturday, February 28th
The National Basketball League – United States (NBL‑US) proudly announces the official tip‑off of its historic Season 7 – 2026 Commissioner’s Cup, beginning Saturday, February 28, 2026. Featuring five elite franchises, championship pedigrees, MVP talent, Hall‑of‑Fame trajectories, and one highly anticipated expansion team, the 2026 season is poised to be the most competitive and storyline‑driven campaign in league history.
From dynasties reborn to undefeated legends chasing history, from HBCU excellence to rising rookie stars, the 2026 Commissioner’s Cup represents the evolution of professional basketball within the NBL‑US.
East Houston United https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/East-Houston-United/21060: A Dynasty Rebranded
After a two‑year hiatus, the most dominant franchise in league history is back.
4‑Time NBL‑US Champion East Houston United (2020‑2023) returns after winning four consecutive championships — going undefeated in all four seasons. The United now re‑enter Season 7 rebranded, refocused, and reloaded.
THE FOUNDATION RETURNS Five founding pillars return to reclaim their throne:
Brandon Taylor Sr. ,Xavier Howard,Maurice “Moe” Redmond III,Corey Alpough, Joshua Anderson, this is not just a reunion — it is the restoration of a dynasty.
https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Brandon-Taylor/339263. – CHASING RING #7 A future Hall of Famer and the most prolific three‑point shooter in NBL‑US history, Brandon Taylor Sr. returns home with legacy on the line.
Career Highlights:
6‑Time NBL‑US Champion 4 with East Houston United, 1 with HBCU Movement, 1 with Gueydan Flying Ducks, Most 3‑pointers made in NBL‑US history, Hit the biggest shot in league history — game‑winning three in the 2023 Finals vs. Lake Houston Flight. Undefeated in all championship seasons,Taylor now aims for his 7th championship, returning to his hometown team determined to preserve his undefeated championship mystique.
MAURICE “MOE” REDMOND III https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Maurice-Redmond/316370 – DEFENSIVE ICON, the only other player in league history with 6 championships and 6 undefeated seasons, Maurice Redmond III stands among the league’s all‑time greats.
Accolades:
6‑Time NBL‑US Champion 2020 & 2022 Defensive Player of the Year,2024 Finals MVP, 3‑Time All NBL‑US First Team,Redmond returns to East Houston with one mission: capture ring #7 and further cement his defensive legacy.
COREY ALPOUGH https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Corey-Alpough/332433 – THE COMPLETE PLAYER One of the most decorated players in league history:
5‑Time NBL‑US Champion,2‑Time League MVP,4‑Time All NBL‑US First Team,Defensive MVP, Alpough’s leadership, versatility, and championship experience make him one of the most complete players the league has ever seen.
XAVIER HOWARD https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Xavier-Howard/360039 – THE NEAR‑PERFECT RECORD, Howard returns after capturing the 2025 NBL‑US Championship with the Gueydan Flying Ducks — where he also won his first MVP award.
Career Resume:
5‑Time NBL‑US Champion,4‑Time All NBL‑US First Team,2025 League MVP, only one loss in NBL‑US history (2024 Semifinals with Eastside Netz)Howard’s return to United makes an already historic roster even more formidable.
JOSHUA ANDERSON https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Josh-Anderson/550977 – CONSISTENT EXCELLENCE,5‑Time NBL‑US Champion, only one career loss (2024 Semifinals, Eastside Netz)Anderson’s championship consistency makes him one of the most reliable winners in league history.
KEY RETURNERS & MAJOR ADDITION Ian Eberhardthttps://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Ian-Eberhardt/699971(3‑Time Champion)Coming off a breakout 2025 Fall League averaging 18.8 PPG, Eberhardt is expected to assume a larger offensive role.
Asante Belton https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Asante-Belton/527710 Champion in 2023 (United), 2024 (HBCU Movement), 2025 (Flying Ducks).Averaged 21.5 PPG last season and brings explosive bench scoring.
Kevin Lewis Jr. https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Kevin-Lewis/269125– The Big Addition
2025 Finals MVP, 2‑Time Champion, 3‑Time All NBL‑US First Team, Lewis joins United as a major acquisition and championship amplifier.
NEW HEAD COACH: Joel Stevenson With Kevin Williams Sr. departing to lead HBCU Movement, Joel Stevenson takes the helm of the United. Stevenson inherits perhaps the most decorated roster ever assembled in NBL‑US history.
HBCU MOVEMENT: PURPOSE DRIVEN, CHAMPIONSHIP BUILT, The HBCU Movement enters its second season after winning the 2024 NBL‑US Championship, becoming the first professional franchise composed entirely of Historically Black Colleges & Universities athletes.
Core Returners Kalil Potts https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Kalil-Potts/331849 – 2024 League MVP, All NBL‑US First Team, Team Captain.Charles Dobbs https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Charleston-Dobbs/343899– All NBL‑US First Team, Sam Shivers Newcomers David Ilesani Elo Nwodu Dennis JonesJoseph Gilliam (2023 Champion)Kelvin Wesley Jr.Rookies Competing for Honors Zaire Walker,Jaylon Jackson‑Curvey Trae Brown. The Movement is now led by Kevin Williams Sr., undefeated 6‑time champion and one of the most accomplished leaders in league history. His championship pedigree instantly elevates the Movement’s title aspirations.
TEAMS TO WATCH LAKE HOUSTON FLIGHT 2025 Champions Gage Marshall & Derrick Allen Rookies Nate Leach & Cameron Hunter Dominique Ritchie Gerard Garriet (Potential All‑NBL First Team)The Flight remain explosive and motivated following their Finals rivalry with United.
CYPRESS VENOM Issac Bunn, Tre Landry, Crosby Jackson,Eric McDuffie, Back‑to‑back semifinal appearances in their first two seasons. Year 3 could be the breakthrough.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DRAGONS (Expansion)The league’s only expansion franchise enters with ambition.
Key Rookies:
Joseph Oliver,Richard Thomas, Noah Vickers,
Front Office & Leadership:
GM Wallace Jones,Head Coach Terence Morris https://basketball.usbasket.com/player/Terence-Morris/18619(Former Houston Rocket & Orlando Magic), The Dragons bring NBA experience and fresh energy to Season 7.
2026 PRESEASON RANKINGS East Houston United,HBCU Movement,Lake Houston Flight, Cypress Venom, Montgomery County Dragons.
COMMISSIONER LILLIAN COUNTEE –
As we prepare to tip off the 2026 NBL‑US Commissioners Cup, I can confidently say this is the most excited I have ever been about the direction of our league. Season 7 represents more than basketball — it represents legacy, growth, opportunity, and excellence.
The return of East Houston United — one of the most dominant dynasties in professional sports — immediately elevates the competitive landscape. The level of championship experience on that roster alone is historic. But what excites me even more is the balance across the league.
The HBCU Movement continues to redefine what purpose‑driven professional basketball looks like. Lake Houston Flight and Cypress Venom have built strong competitive identities. And the Montgomery County Dragons bring expansion energy and NBA‑level leadership that strengthens our foundation.
This league is filled with MVPs, Defensive Players of the Year, Finals MVPs, All‑First Team selections, and rising rookies ready to make their mark. The talent pool in NBL‑US has never been deeper.
What truly makes me proud is that NBL‑US continues to serve as a pathway — a pathway to college opportunities, to professional careers, to international exposure, and to personal growth. Our athletes are not only champions on the court but ambassadors in their communities.
I am ready to witness greatness. I am ready to see new rivalries form, legacies challenged, and history written once again. Season 7 will set a new standard for excellence.
To our players, coaches, owners, staff, and fans — thank you for believing in this vision. Let the Commissioner’s Cup begin.”
Website: usnbl.com