NIKE, Inc. has announced the launch of its inaugural EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) featuring it’s forty-two (42) elite travel team programs beginning this spring with four 17 & under events, culminating with the EYBL Finals at the NIKE Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC from July 12-15, 2010.

The EYBL will tip-off at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, VA from April 9-11. The final two regular season events will be held at League America in Houston, TX on May 14-16 and in Los Angeles, CA over Memorial Day Weekend (May 29-31) at a to be determined location. For a look at the teams and schedules CLICK HERE

In addition to the EYBL, the front-end of the summer is designed to help players through skill development. The nation’s best underclassmen tip-off the summer at the NIKE Hoop Jamboree in St. Louis from June 10-13. At the end of June, the elite high school players throughout the country are selected to attend a positional Skills Academy with Utah’s Deron Williams (point guards), Boston’s Paul Pierce (wings), Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (wings) and Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire (forwards/centers) held separately over June 24-30 in Chicago, IL, followed by a culminating academy for all players with reigning MVP LeBron James at the University of Akron from July 5-7. All five Skills Academies will be closed to college coaches for the participants to focus on improving themselves in both an individual and team setting with special situation drills.

“NIKE is committed to providing a platform for the top high school players to improve their game with an assist from the top players in the NBA and the best instructors in the game of basketball during our skills academies” said Mike Hackman, NIKE’s Elite Youth Director. “The addition of the EYBL provides an organized and exciting format for these elite athletes to consistently compete against the best players.”

Following a successful first year, the King City Classic will return to Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio on July 8-9. The event is designed for the nation’s top 80 high school players to compete head-to-head in a national tournament. Hundreds of college coaches, scouts and media are expected to attend.

The 42 Nike sponsored travel teams for 2010 are as follows:

    * Albany City Rocks
    * Baltimore Elite
    * Georgia Blazers
    * Howard Pulley
    * Louisiana Select
    * Mean Streets
    * Team Final
    * Tennessee Travelers
    * Wisconsin Playground Elite
    * YOMCA
    * All-Ohio Red
    * Arizona Stars
    * Each One Teach One
    * King James
    * South Carolina Ravens
    * Seattle Rotary
    * Spiece
    * Team Takeover
    * Team Texas
    * The Family
    * Alabama Challenge
    * Athletes First
    * Birmingham Storm
    * Boo Williams
    * California Supreme
    * Houston Hoops
    * ICP
    * Jackson Tigers
    * Oakland Soldiers
    * St. Louis Eagles
    * Arkansas Wings
    * BABC
    * Charlotte Royals
    * D-One Sports
    * Friends of Hoop
    * Georgia Stars
    * Mac Irvin Fire
    * Metro Hawks
    * New Jersey Playaz
    * New York Gauchos
    * Southern Kings
    * Team Florida