The Charlotte Royals 17u/Jr. team has been accepted into the Nike National Youth Basketball League. The team will play a 15 game schedule at league Jamborees in Hampton VA, Houston TX, and Los Angeles CA in April and May. League competition will determine the qualifiers for the July Peach Jam in Augusta GA, which will crown the league champion.

Nike spokesman Jeff Rogers said “the league format allows the elite club teams from all over the country to compete at a high level where every game is meaningful and competitive.”

The Royals are beginning their 29th season as an AAU club, and have been sponsored by Nike for fifteen years.

The league includes 42 teams from New York, Boston, Texas, Virginia, Atlanta, Florida, California, Seattle, Chicago and other U.S. cities.

The Royals will learn their division opponents at a drawing in early March.

The Royals will continue to play AAU events, and point toward the AAU national championship the last week of July. Coach Rod Seaford stated that league competition will not have an effect on the number of games the Royals play or the amount of time players have to commit. “We will adjust our schedule to fit with the league”, he said. “It is a terrific opportunity for our players.”

The Royals 17/u team has accumulated 7 state championships, 8 national AAU medals and a national championship. NBA players Antawn Jamison, Todd Fuller, Rashad McCants, DeMarco Johnson, Tony White, Haywoode Workman, Chris King, Rodney Rogers, Rusty LaRue and Byron Dinkins have all worn the Royals uniform.

“It’s an exciting new idea for club basketball. The best programs in the country will be measuring themselves in competitions where every game is crucial.”-Rod Seaford, Charlotte Royals Head Coach

“Every team will need to be extremely prepared for the league games.
The competition will be fierce.” -Norman Parker, Georgia Stars Head Coach

“This will create an atmosphere like the conference match ups in the ACC, SEC or Big East, except this conference is nationwide!”-Boo Williams, Head Coach, Hampton VA BWSL

“This league creates a season in which teams can scout and practice and prepare for their opponent. Like the NBA, NCAA or Euroleague, a championship is earned over the length of the season. We prefer this approach rather than several disconnected tournaments.”-Jeff Rogers, Nike