BN Roundup: Seasons Greetings and Accolades

A New Year Begins

Multiple Ballers Nation teams traveled to the DFW Metroplex to begin the 2024 season, with multiple wins and a podium finish for the Lady Ballers.

The Adidas War Before The Storm was the first test of the year for the boys 16U and 17U NXT Puma teams in Ft. Worth with competition aplenty. In 16U action, a late afternoon victory over Second 2 None 3SGB out of Plano by a score of 52 to 45 began the weekend on a high note. A late game on Saturday and an early morning Sunday game would see BN fall to 1-2 on the weekend. 17U would go into a loaded pool and rattle off three straight wins, with the initial two games being by a double-digit margin. Game three on Sunday would be a hard-fought game against Tarrant Elite, with Ballers Nation getting the 33-32 victory to complete the weekend.

The High School Lady Ballers, led by head coach Heavunli Reese, would kick off their Summer in an almost picture-perfect fashion. Reese's Lady Ballers would open pool play with a 54-28 win in the early-morning opener and complete the day with a 3-point win over Team Tulsa. On Sunday, in bracket play, Team United Texas would hand the Lady Ballers their first loss in a close 39-33 matchup, but a familiar foe would meet them next in the 3rd Place Game. Another clash with fellow Pool A opponent Team Tulsa, would take the Lady Ballers to the brink, as they clinched 3rd Place in the PrimeTime Sports D-Town Showdown with a 40 to 38 victory. Lady Ballers Nation Director and Head Coach Heavunli Reese was all smiles with how her team opened the season with a top finish. "The fact that we were able to go into a competitive field of teams to start the season and finish in 3rd is a great start for the girls," Reese said. "We have to keep ourselves at a high standard for the long haul of a season this is bound to be, so to be able to accept an early test and leave with hardware is a great place to be."

Ballers Nation Founder and CEO Brian Crawford gave his thoughts on how he felt the weekend with multiple teams opening season play. "This is a big year for us, with our recent Puma Circuit membership, our high standard has only been raised higher. The target on our back has only grown and these great teams comprised of great student-athletes and coaches answered the bell to begin the season. I'm proud of how we performed and look forward to a GREAT season!"

PHOTOS FROM THE WEEKEND 2024 Ballers Nation Opening Weekend

What's NXT?

The weekend of April 5-7th will be arguably the biggest in Ballers Nation history, as our Puma NXT/PRO teams will be hitting the road for their first NXT/PRO events of the year. Coach Reese will be leading the Lady Ballers 16U NXT team into Bryan/College Station, TX for the first NXT Puma Session of the season. Over 300 miles east, the Ballers Nation boys 15U, 16U, and 17U teams will be in Monroe, LA for NXT Puma Circuit Session 2