From left: Steve E. Parillon, Sean 'Chino' Woods and Killven M. Samuel are among the elite players for this year's draft pick. Photo: VINO/Facebook

Directors/Founders of the popular Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League, Bishop John I. Cline (left) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R1). Photo: VINO/File

Elite player Juan R. Hatchet takes a jumper under pressure against a Bayside Blazers player in the 2015 K&J 3on3 tournament at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. Photo VINO/File

Ray D. Victor (stooping behind championship trophy) will be retained by West Gunners as their elite player. Photo: VINO/File

According to League Organisors, registration closed last week with some 19 teams registering to participate. There are 14 senior teams and 5 junior teams.

League Commissioner Mrs Kharid T. Fraser also disclosed to Virgin Islands News Online that the 19 teams registered marks the highest number of teams ever registered for the league. "That is quite a bit," Mrs Fraser noted, in expressing her satisfaction with the number of teams registered. 

All games will be played on the weekends only - Friday to Sunday - and if necessary on Wednesdays.

Draft is back

Meanwhile, the popular Draft Exercise has been retained by the League Committee as all ‘draft players’ who participated last year were returned to the pool except the draft pick of 2015 Championship Team West Gunners.

This means that the inspirational Ray D. Victor will once again be spearheading the attack of West Gunners.

West Gunners were crowned Champions of the 3^rd edition of the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League on Saturday November 7, 2015 after completing a sweep of the Splash Brothers, 80-69, in game two at the Save the Seed Energy Centre.

Victor had 19 points and 7 rebounds in that game even though he had to sit out for a long period following a clash of heads.

One of the Directors of the League, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) had expressed surprise that Victor was being retained as West Gunners’ draft player, saying he wasn’t aware of that rule.

“I don’t want anyone winning the league twice,” Hon Fraser had joked at the launch of the 2016 League at the Save the Seed Energy Centre Conference Room in Duff’s Bottom on June 24, 2016.

The League Committee said the purpose of the draft system is to allow for balanced competition among teams.

“This allows all senior teams to pick a local elite player (A League) in order to remain competitive so the competition will be more balanced and exciting. Elite players who are 23 years old and under do not have to participate in the draft, but can join any team,” a press release from the League on July 12, 2016 stated.

2016 Draft Players

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League 2016 Elite or 'A' players in the draft are Cedric King, David ‘Bolo’ Lettsome, Steve E. Parillon, Travis A. Isaac, Killven M. Samuel, Phillip Glasgow, Javaghn Cameron, Juan R. Hatchet, Dwayne ‘Kobo’ Penn, Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Malone, Kameron G. Young, and Sean ‘Chino’ Woods.

Rules of Draft

A raffle pick will determine which team gets which number picked in the draft. Only drafted players can be traded; however, trading of players is up to the League Committee.

Teams with the lowest record/score in the 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League will get numbers 1, 2, & 3 in order to have first preference to pick in the Draft System to display fairness.

Participating in the Draft system is not compulsory; however, it is highly recommended so that each team is allowed a fair and equal opportunity in the League.

Elite players for the Draft System should be well-disciplined, and cannot be suspended from any other local Basketball League.

Important meeting

Meanwhile, the League has announced there will be an important meeting for all Team Owners, Managers, Coaches or Team Representatives on Tuesday July 12, 2016 at the Valerie O. Thomas Community Centre, in Sea Cows Bay.

The meeting will commence at 6:00 P.M. The League organisors will be explaining the rules and expectations of each team.