Northwest Indiana Stars Leave the American Basketball Association to Join the Premier Basketball League for Their Upcoming 2012 Season

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northwest Indiana Stars are the latest addition to the growing list of teams joining the Premier Basketball League (PBL) for the upcoming 2012 season.  Owners Ken Miller and Derrick Smith are excited about the switch from the American Basketball Association (ABA) to the PBL and look forward to competing against higher caliber basketball teams in a professional league. The Stars' arrival marks the seventh team to be a part of the PBL for their fifth consecutive season.

"We are excited about joining the Premier Basketball League. The Stars are a competitive program and we want to give our players the opportunity to be challenged by top rate basketball teams. The PBL's dedication to athleticism, fan base support, standards, and community involvement were some of the reasons why we made the transition.  We are excited about the 2012 season," commented team co-owner Derrick Smith.

Miller and Smith began their extensive basketball experience together at Morgan Park High School in Chicago, IL.  Miller was named to honorable mention status for the McDonald's All-American Team during his time at Morgan Park.  Following their successful high school careers, Miller and Smith split, Miller going on to play for Loyola University where he led the nation in rebounding and was named First Team All-Conference, and Smith going on to play collegiate ball at South Suburban College where an injury ended his basketball career. Miller made his way over to Europe to play in Spain, France, Italy, Turkey and Greece, where he holds numerous rebounding, shot blocking, and dunk records. After his European play time, Miller came back to the US where he had brief stints in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets.

Not only are the team owners well versed in team leadership from the basketball side, additionally their involvement in business and the community led the team to a sound operational position. Miller is an active real estate investor and is heavily involved in the community through his Solidrock Mentor Program.  Smith currently works in the insurance industry as an auditor, and his experience as a financial analyst for a commercial bank gives the team a sound business and financial basis.

"We welcome the Northwest Indiana Stars and are glad they can now take the step up to quality and professional basketball in the PBL," mentioned PBL President & CEO Brij Desai.

Earlier this year, The PBL announced a regional play model.  This allows fans to travel to away games and support their hometown teams. In addition, this regional play model will keep team travel costs at a minimum so that team owners have the ability to use budgets for the betterment of the program. The Northwest Indiana Stars will be playing their home games at On the Square Sports Academy in Crown Point, IN.  All games for the upcoming 2012 PBL season will be broadcasted live online and through television distribution with the PBL's interactive online partner @SportsTV Network. For more information on the Northwest Indiana Stars, visit http://www.nwistars.com

For more information on the Premier Basketball League (www.thePBL.com) please contact Chris Foltz, Vice President of League Development at [email protected] or 312-772-4865.

SOURCE Premier Basketball League