Young Starz and Spartans clashing in the 2014 Hon Julian Fraser National Basketball League. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO/File

Elite players who are 23 and under do not have to participate in the draft but can join any team. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Avengers battling Game Boyz in the 2014 Hon Julian Fraser National Basketball League. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO/File

The Knights basketball team is also expected to again be a part of this years Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. Photo: Andre 'Shadow' Dawson/File

The defending champions Bayside Blazers basketball team. Photo: VINO/File

League Commissioner Rajah A. Smith said the draft system is a good one that will ensure the Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League remains competitive, which he added is what fans want. Photo: VINO/File

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League is one of the most competitive and highly anticipated leagues in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League is one of the most competitive and highly anticipated leagues in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File

Bayside Blazers in a tough battle with Knights in the 2014 Hon Julian Fraser National Basketball League. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO/File

This is according to a press release issued by the League Committee on June 24, 2015.

The draft is an exciting time for the league as teams will get a fair chance to land elite players to their teams. The League has decided to stick with the draft system to ensure that the teams are balanced as much as possible, which allows for competitiveness.

The League is scheduled for August 15, 2015 to November 1, 2015 at the Save the Seed Energy Centre Basketball Court.

For the 2014 League, some 15 ‘A’  League players were drafted and now for the 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed League, they must all return to an open pool to be redrafted, once they are 24 years and older.

Elite players who are 23 and under do not have to participate in the draft but can join any team.

According to League Commissioner Rajah A. Smith, the draft system is a good one that will ensure the league remains competitive, which is what fans want.

“Just for the record, the draft went great last year but we are also trying to do multi-year rosters in order to help teams to develop and prevent teams from trying to take players from other teams just to win championship rings.

“So we want to maintain the competitive level of games that we have there so that the fans can appreciate the games even more,” Smith had previously told this news site.

Meeting on June 30, 2015

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League has also announced that there will be a public meeting for all Team Owners, Managers, Captains, Coaches and Referees on Tuesday June 30, 2015.

The meeting, which will bring all teams participating in the 2015 Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League up to date on rules, changes and guidelines, is scheduled to take place at 6:00 pm at the Save the Seed Energy Centre Conference Room located in Duff's Bottom.

The League Committee Members will be on hand to answer all questions and concerns of participating teams.

Registration continues until July 1, 2015

The public has also been reminded that registration for both the Senior and Junior Divisions will continue until July 1, 2015. Both Divisions are opened to male and females.

Teams can obtain rosters by calling the League Commissioner, Rajah A. Smith, at 340-1546 or Assistant Commissioner Byron J. Hodge at 542-8300 for roster applications. The fee is $200.00, which includes uniform-tops and insurance.  Alternatively, teams can download the roster from Virgin Islands News Online.

The Hon Julian Fraser Save the Seed Basketball League was founded in 2013 by Hon Julian Fraser RA, Third District Representative and Bishop John I. Cline, founder of the Save the Seed Energy Centre.