THE LEAGUE
The Maine Basketball League (MBL) features elite competition across the state of Maine. Top Divisions in Waterville (Kennebec Division) and Naples (Sebago Division) have competed since 2021. A brand new Division in Portland (Atlantic Division) launched in the Fall 2023 season. There are developing plans for Youth and 40+ expansion projects in years to come.
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THE EXPERIENCE
Maine's #1 Amateur Basketball League runs twice a year- with sessions in the Spring (March - June) and in the Fall (August - December). The League is known for its draft-style where individual athletes sign up to be in the draft pool before each season. A group of pre-selected captains build their teams in the draft with feedback provided during the registration process.
Registrations are on a first come, first serve, paid basis. The player fee is a one-time payment; per player, per season; which varies in price depending on each Division. Both Registration and Payment are the only way to secure a spot in the draft.
During the season, the League's official podcast The Foul Line releases weekly episodes on YouTube for players, fans, and viewers to enjoy. Game Film is archived on our Facebook page after each week. Our Instagram feed consists of special features and engagement from around the League. Stats, Content, and a photo Gallery curated by the MBL's Broadcast and Media teams can always be found on MaineBasketballLeague.com.
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The greatest perk of being a part of the League is by-far the Community. Our vast network of diverse alumni from around the Great State of Maine includes small business owners, veterans, artists, athletes, public servants, and many other contributing members of society. It has also featured many former Professional, Collegiate, and Varsity Basketball standouts such as Ryan Martin (Keene State), Tre Butler (Husson), and Rickey White (Maine) along with countless captains, players, referees, fans, and volunteers since being established in 2014.
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THE PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE
The Maine Basketball League was founded in 2014 as the Central Maine Basketball League (CMBL) by Ray Bernier. He served as the Owner and Commissioner of the League from its inception in Summer 2014 to June 2022. He remains involved in a small role as Statistics Consultant to the Commissioner. Away from the League, Bernier has built an exceptional baseball program at Thomas College, where he has coached since 2019. He became the Head Coach in 2023.
Nicareece Hunter was brought on board as a Volunteer in Fall 2018 by Bernier. At the time, he assisted his older brother Brian Bellows (a talented player and a captain in his own right) with handwritten stat sheets every week. In Spring 2019, Nicareece was offered the Assistant Commissioner position. In June 2022, he became the new Owner & Commissioner of the League. Away from the League, Nicareece is the Owner & Curator of Pulsar 0, a multimedia network consisting of a label, an online store, a publishing house, and a youth stewardship initiative.
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For six years and twelve seasons, the MBL was exclusive to Central Maine- at that time being known as the CMBL. Messalonskee High School, Gilman Street Basketball Club, and the Kennebec YMCA were gracious venues where teams competed for years. The League established the Kennebec Division at the Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) in 2019. CMCC Hall-of-Famer Josh Berard has served as Kennebec Liaison since 2019.
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In 2020, the League acquired the Southern Maine Men's Basketball League which doubled the number of teams, split the league into two divisions, and introduced an entirely new group of captains and talent to the ever-growing community of the MBL. The Sebago Division has played their games at Lake Region High School, home of the Lakers, since Spring 2021. Ryan Martin served as Sebago Liaison from 2021 to 2023, being promoted to Sebago Director in Fall 2023.
In 2023, years of planning was put into action when the new Atlantic Division was developed in Portland. This project was built in collaboration with the Stevens Square Community Center (home of Blue Wave Basketball). Steve Haines currently serves as the Atlantic Liaison.