What Is the ABA? How the American Basketball Association Gives Players a Shot
Updated: Sep 4
How the American Basketball Association Gives Players a Shot How the American Basketball Association Gives Players a Shot. What is the ABA? For basketball players looking for an opportunity to continue competing beyond high school or college, the American Basketball Association can provide another professional basketball platform. Today's ABA describes itself as a men's professional basketball league with more than 100 active teams across the United States, creating playing and coaching opportunities in communities that may not have other professional basketball teams.
For the Cross Bronx Ballers, joining the ABA is about more than putting another basketball team on the court. It's about creating another pathway for talented players—especially overlooked athletes—to compete, develop and potentially earn additional opportunities.
The Original ABA Changed Basketball
To understand today's ABA, it's important to understand where the name comes from.
The original American Basketball Association began play in 1967 as a competitor to the NBA. It developed a reputation for exciting basketball, colorful personalities and innovations that helped influence the modern game.
The original ABA was famous for its red, white and blue basketball, and it helped popularize innovations including the three-point shot and Slam Dunk Contest.
The league also featured some of basketball's greatest players, including Julius "Dr. J" Erving, George Gervin, Rick Barry and Moses Malone.
In 1976, the original ABA ended, and four of its franchises entered the NBA:
New York Nets
Denver Nuggets
Indiana Pacers
San Antonio Spurs
Those organizations remain part of the NBA today, with the Nets now playing as the Brooklyn Nets.
Is Today's ABA the Same League?
This distinction is important.
The current American Basketball Association is not simply the original 1967–76 league continuing uninterrupted.
According to the current ABA, the modern organization was founded in 1999 by Joe Newman and Richard P. Tinkham as a relaunch of the original ABA concept.
Today, it operates as a professional basketball league with teams located throughout the United States.
The ABA says it currently has more than 100 active teams and creates opportunities for more than 2,000 players and coaches across more than 50 American cities.
That large footprint is one reason the league can be interesting for players searching for another opportunity.
How the ABA Gives Basketball Players a Shot
Not every talented basketball player follows the same path.
The traditional dream might look like:
High School → NCAA Division I → NBA Draft → NBA
But very few players follow that exact route.
Some compete at Division II or Division III schools.
Some attend junior colleges.
Some play NAIA basketball.
Some develop later.
Some lose recruiting opportunities because of injuries.
Others graduate from college without receiving professional offers.
And some talented players simply never receive the exposure they need.
That's where leagues such as the ABA can become another part of the basketball ecosystem.
Opportunity #1: A Chance to Be Evaluated
You can't prove yourself if nobody sees you play.
Tryouts give players an opportunity to get in front of coaches and basketball decision-makers.
That doesn't mean attending a tryout guarantees a roster position.
It shouldn't.
Professional basketball opportunities have to be earned.
But getting into the gym creates something every overlooked athlete needs:
A chance.
Opportunity #2: Professional-Level Competition
Once a player reaches adult basketball, development isn't only about workouts.
You have to compete.
You have to execute offensive systems.
Learn defensive responsibilities.
Communicate.
Handle physical basketball.
Understand rotations.
Accept coaching.
Perform when minutes aren't guaranteed.
And contribute to winning.
The ABA's current structure includes a regular season and postseason competition leading toward regional championships and a national championship.
That gives players the opportunity to compete in organized games rather than relying exclusively on workouts or pickup basketball.
Opportunity #3: Game Film and Exposure
Modern basketball recruiting and scouting are increasingly digital.
Game footage can become extremely valuable.
Players pursuing higher opportunities need more than a collection of flashy highlights.
Coaches and scouts may want to evaluate complete possessions.
Can you defend?
Can you communicate?
Do you make the correct pass?
Can you play without the basketball?
Do you understand spacing?
Do you make winning decisions?
Playing organized professional basketball gives athletes opportunities to build film showing those abilities.
Opportunity #4: A Path Toward Other Professional Leagues
This is where expectations need to remain realistic.
Playing in the ABA does not guarantee a player will reach the NBA, NBA G League or an overseas professional league.
No legitimate organization should make that promise.
What ABA basketball can provide is another competitive platform from which a player can continue developing and pursuing opportunities.
The current ABA itself highlights player advancement and international opportunities among developments involving its teams.
Ultimately, advancement depends on the player's ability, performance, professionalism, connections, available roster opportunities and many other factors.
The Cross Bronx Ballers want players to understand that difference.
We can help create an opportunity.
The player has to earn what comes next.
ABA Basketball Has Some Different Rules
Today's ABA also has rules designed to create a faster, higher-scoring style of basketball.
For example, according to the league's current rules, teams have seven seconds to advance the ball across midcourt, half-court shots can be worth four points, and the league uses its distinctive 3-D rule, under which certain backcourt turnovers can activate an opportunity for additional points on the following possession.
Those differences can make ABA basketball an adjustment for players accustomed exclusively to high school, NCAA or NBA-style rules.
Players have to think quickly.
And they have to adapt.
What Coaches Look for at ABA Tryouts
Players sometimes arrive at professional tryouts believing scoring is everything.
It isn't.
Coaches evaluate the entire player.
They want to know whether you can defend, communicate, follow instructions and understand basketball concepts.
They're watching your conditioning.
They're watching your decision-making.
They're watching what happens after you miss a shot.
They're even watching you when you're sitting on the sideline.
Professionalism matters.
A player who scores 20 points but constantly forces shots may be less valuable than someone who scores 10, defends the best opposing guard, rebounds and makes winning plays.
Who Should Consider an ABA Tryout?
ABA basketball can be worth exploring for serious adult players who still believe they can compete professionally.
That could include former college players, overlooked athletes, late developers and players seeking another opportunity after their previous basketball situation ended.
But players should arrive prepared.
This isn't the time to begin conditioning.
Preparation should happen before tryout day.
Your body should be ready.
Your basketball skills should be sharp.
And your mindset should be professional.
What the Cross Bronx Ballers Want to Build
The Cross Bronx Ballers are entering this space with a specific purpose.
We want to create a professional basketball platform representing the Bronx.
That means giving qualified players opportunities to compete while building something the community can support.
We want young Bronx athletes to attend games and see players representing their borough.
We want overlooked players to know another door exists.
We want local businesses and sponsors involved.
And we want our organization to become part of a larger basketball pathway connecting youth development, community basketball and professional opportunities.
Your Basketball Journey Doesn't Have to End
Basketball is filled with players whose journeys didn't happen according to the original plan.
Some were overlooked.
Some developed late.
Some needed another opportunity.
The ABA can't promise where your basketball journey will end.
Neither can the Cross Bronx Ballers.
But we believe players deserve legitimate opportunities to show what they can do.
If you still have the talent…
If you're willing to prepare…
If you're willing to compete…
And if you're willing to earn your opportunity…
Your next shot may still be ahead of you.
Cross Bronx Ballers — The Road Doesn't End Here. Earn Your Next Opportunity. What Is the ABA? How the American Basketball Association Gives Players a Shot
For current information about the league, visit the official American Basketball Association website.
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