Fall 2024 Preseason Storylines 👀
Fall 2024 is the most highly anticipated session in recent memory. We’ve rolled out a brand new free agency format (listen to the pod here), we’re launching two new locations (Marlborough, MA and Berlin, CT) and we’re anticipating as much talent as we’ve possibly ever had. With all that said, below we’ll outline the top storylines heading into the fast-approaching season.
The Expansion - Who’s Got the Most Talent?
As noted above, BYL Nation will add 200+ new players this fall as part of our New England expansion. Cities with rich basketball cultures like Worcester, Marlborough, Framingham, Franklin and more in Massachusetts along with New Haven, Waterbury, Hartford, Hamden and more in Connecticut all have a BYL location within 30 minutes. The talent influx will be our largest ever. But the question naturally arises: which location has the most talent? 🤔
The popular answer to this question is the Southern Conference in Stoughton, MA. Our flagship location has a 2-3yr head start on all other locations and currently boasts 15+ former DI/Pro players before entering crunch time for registration. Household names like Aaron Calixte (University of Oklahoma/Professional 🇸🇪), Shandon Brown (Niagara University), Deven Palmer (North Carolina Central University/Professional 🇨🇳), Colton Lawrence (UMBC), Calvin Cheek (NCAA All-Time Steals Leader), Arinze Obiora (Professional 🇫🇮), Garrisson Duvivier (Gordon College) and more headline a star-studded slew of talent for the Elite Division.
But how can the South be the answer when the North just won the Finals? A1, the three-time champions and undisputed kings of Elite, are the best team in New England right now led by Plymouth State University standout Dante Rivera. But will the field produce enough talent to balance the scales? Returnees like Alex Sanchez (UMass Boston), Javon Taylor (Fitchburg State), JT Strickland (Merrimack College) and Temi Bailey (Salem State University) aim to make the case for the North (more on Elite North later).
Do the new locations have a shot? Of course, but they’ve got their work cut out for them. Connecticut boasts a ton of talent and projects to welcome players like Donovin Ford-Hayes (Becker College/Professional), Tylon Smith Jr. (Southern Connecticut State University/Professional), Tarchee Brown (Eastern Connecticut State University/Professional), Chaise Daniels (Quinnipiac University/Professional), Isaiah “Bino” Lewis (Albertus Magnus College), Jake Collagan (Eastern Connecticut State University) and more. But so far, they lack the depth necessary to stack up with the South. Meanwhile the Central Conference has better depth, but doesn’t boast the same starpower as the South or even Connecticut - though players like Kamahl Walker (All-Time Leading Scorer at Endicott College), Sam Durodola (Becker College), Dave Maturah (Becker College) and Dante Ramos (Professional) would beg to differ.
Ultimately, though, these are all projections. The only way we can truly tell who’s the best would be via a BYL Regional Tournament 👀😈
Northern Exodus - A1 Scaring Off the Competition
Since its inception, the BYL North’s Elite Division has only one champion - A1. They have threepeated at home and went on the road in August to bring home the league’s first ever Finals championship, defeating the Generals from our Southern Conference. During their run, they’ve defeated three different challengers at Apex Athletics in Peabody. Each of those captains and their respective teams have since defected. Last session featured six captains. Four of the six have since defected. What’s more, two of those captains and opposing players have fled north of the border and joined forces seeking less resistance en route to a championship.
Is anyone left to compete with A1?
Yes. Despite the Sunday Scaries from past contenders, we’ve at least a trio of captains up to the challenge. Chief among them is Javon “JTV” Taylor whose Friendd squad held first place in the standings for much of the regular season before bowing out in the semifinals down their first-round pick. JTV, a standout player himself, aims to tap into the new Free Agency format to build a core around him poised to contend for a chip. Additionally, newcomers JT Strickland and Temi Bailey will captain teams this session with the latter already securing a huge commitment from summer all-league performer, Alex Sanchez.
We’re eager to see what our teams look like post-free agency, but despite the Northern Exodus, we might be in for our most competitive elite session yet.
Free Agency Frenzy
Following our announcement last week of a restructured format that allows captains to sign players in free agency, we’ve seen an unprecedented (though expected) surge in activity. Across all locations, captains have “signed” nearly 90 players to their squads. Early adopters were naturally the Legacy South conference captains who signed 20+ players in the first 6hrs after free agency opened.
Early results are positive with captains doling out copious amounts of 🔥 and ❤️ emojis in response to the new roster formation flexibility. And as the Elite South division is demonstrating, the shift is likely to result in stronger competition. Already teams are boasting monster cores with the reigning champs pairing Chauncee Cheek and Deven Palmer with Ray Matthews and captain Shandon Brown, past champion Top Geekers adding UMBC standout Colton Lawrence to their dynamic duo of Aaron Calixte and Kwame Lee, Arinze Obiora nabbing a gargantuan frontline of Garrisson Duvivier and Chef Kabeya while Terrell Williams prioritized chemistry and reunites Amadeus Pires and Mark Willis with returnees Cam Wilkins and Lens Esquil while still holding on to a first AND second round draft pick.
The change was made to foster managerial strategy, break down barriers to entry and arm both players and captains with more flexibility. Though it’s still early, it seems we’re achieving just that!
Name a Better Duo…We’ll Wait
Capturing high-quality mixes, highlights and pictures for our players has been a top priority for us at BYL Hoops from day one. And nothing has changed despite the expansion. On the contrary, the media will only get better as we welcome @hs_boog to the media team covering our Connecticut Conference and joining forces with Kerm from @runthestats who will cover all Massachusetts locations.
Interested in a custom mix? DM these guys directly!
To avoid a novel, we’ll cut the storylines here. But be on the lookout for more content (blog posts, podcast episodes, social media, etc.) in the coming weeks touching upon Summer Session Awards, Fall Session Previews and award/championship predictions!
#buildyourlegacy
