Zambia Basketball League

Zambia Basketball League
Organising bodyZambia Basketball Association (ZBA)
Country Zambia
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid1
International cup(s)Basketball Africa League (BAL)
Current championsMatero Magic (11th title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsMatero Magic
(11 titles)

The Zambia Basketball League is the first tier basketball league of Zambia. The league currently consists of 10 teams.[1] It is organised by the Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA). In the past, the league was sponsored by Sprite and was named the Sprite ZBA.

The champions of the league are able to play in the qualifying rounds of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Matero Magic is the most successful team in league history with eleven national championships.

Teams

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Champions

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Year Champions Runners-up Score Ref.
2003 Heroes Play United
2004 Matero Magic
2012–13 UNZA Pacers Napsa Hurricanes 2–1 [2]
2013 Matero Magic [3]
2013–14
2014–15 Matero Magic UNZA Pacers 3–1 [4]
2015–16 Matero Magic Green Buffaloes 3–1 [5]
2016–17
2017–18 UNZA Pacers
2018–19
2019–20 Matero Magic Munali Suns 3–2
2021–22 Matero Magic Napsa Hurricanes 2–1 [6]
2022–23 Munali Suns Matero Warriors 2–1 [7]
2023–24 Matero Magic Green Buffaloes 2–1 [8]

Titles by team

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Team Titles Years won
Matero Magic 11 2004, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023
UNZA Pacers 2 2013, 2018
Munali Suns 1 2023
Heroes Play United 1 2003

Most Valuable Player

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Year Player Team
2013[2] Joshua Kupa UNZA Pacers
2023[8] Saul Phiri Matero Magic

References

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  1. ^ "Zambian Basketball". www.afrobasket.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b Chaile, Grace (30 December 2013). "Pacers retain Sprite basketball title". Times of Zambia. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  3. ^ Chill, Grace (3 December 2013). "Zambia: Metro Magic Are ZBA Champs". Allafrica.com. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Division I Basketball 2014-2015". Afrobasket.com. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  5. ^ Lukhanda, Samuel (14 February 2016). "Magic retain Sprite crown". Times of Zambia. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Magic in uncharted territory after playoff win". Zambia Daily Mail. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Road to BAL: Get to know the teams drawn in Group D". FIBA.basketball. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Magic wins unprecented 11th title". Times of Zambia. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.