New development basketball league in store

PETALING JAYA: A new development league comprising nine teams for basketball is set to take off in May.

Known as the MPL D-League, it is a follow-up to the inaugural Malaysia Pro League (MPL) last year which saw the participation of six teams.

Four teams which participated in the MPL – KL Dragons, PRG Eagles, Perak Farmcochem and Verve Club – have all signed up for the D-League while the newcomers include Red Baron, KL Griffins, Melaka 906, Seven Stars and NS Matrix.

“This is a new project with development as the focus. In fact, all the team owners have come together to bear the cost of the league together,” said MPL general manager Ken Yap.

“What’s different about this league is that we’re trying to give the younger players more opportunities.

“Each team must have four Under-23 players who must be in the team list.

“We have set a limit of four now because there is a consensus that there isn’t enough quality Under-23 players at the moment.

“Eventually we would like this to be a full Under-23 league.

“However, we also allow each team to name two national players.

“But they have to pay RM1,000 in luxury tax for their services.

“Ideally, it would be good if teams tap players who can help the younger ones develop instead of being there just to win,” he said.

The D-League is expected to run for two months from May to July.

After the D-League ends, the MPL – which is now being broken into two conferences – will start from August-November.