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Basketball is back! After a long offseason, the NBA and college basketball seasons are finally upon us. The 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with key dates including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend, media days, training camps, and preseason games in Abu Dhabi, UAE. College basketball is also tipping off, with powerhouse teams like Kansas, Alabama, and Purdue looking to defend their dominance. With new signings, trades, and emerging talents, the basketball world is buzzing with anticipation as fans eagerly await the return of their favorite sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 5th November 2024 |
| Event | College basketball opening night |
| Teams | No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Alabama, No. 4 Houston, No. 9 North Carolina, No. 12 Tennessee, Howard, UNC Asheville, Jackson State, Elon, Gardner-Webb |
| Scores | Kansas beat Howard by 30; Alabama buried UNC Asheville by 56; Houston beat Jackson State 97-40; North Carolina held back Elon 90-76; Tennessee beat Gardner-Webb 80-64 |
| Other information | The 2025-26 NBA season will include the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Enshrinement Weekend on 5-6 September, media days for teams travelling outside North America, preseason games in Abu Dhabi, and training camps |
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What You'll Learn
College basketball is back
Purdue, a perennial powerhouse, kicked off its season with a 90-73 win, marking the 11th consecutive year that the team has featured a player 7 feet tall or taller. Despite the win, Purdue coach Matt Painter expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, citing 16 turnovers and missed opportunities on offense and defense.
The 2024-25 season also welcomed newcomers and transfers, with teams showcasing fresh talent and new rosters. Connecticut, the team that finished first last season, played its first game of the season on Wednesday.
The excitement continues to build as fans look forward to the upcoming games and tournaments, including the highly anticipated March Madness. The 2025-26 season is already generating buzz, with fans tracking personnel movements and coaching vacancies ahead of what promises to be another thrilling year of college basketball action.
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NBA key dates for 2025-26
The 2025–26 NBA season is the upcoming 80th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Here are the key dates for the season:
Preseason
The preseason will see teams visiting Abu Dhabi, Melbourne, and Macao in early October. Training camps open for all teams participating in preseason games outside North America on 24 September, and on 29 September for the remaining teams. Media days for teams travelling outside North America for the preseason will be held on 23 September.
Regular Season
The regular season will begin on 21 October 2025 and end on 12 April 2026. The third edition of the in-season NBA Cup tournament will be held from 31 October to 16 December. The tournament will feature six intraconference pools of five, with each group playing four games against the other teams in their pool. The knockout rounds will begin on 9 December, with the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals on 13 December. The championship game will be held on 16 December in Las Vegas.
All-Star Weekend
The 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend is scheduled for 13–15 February 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Playoffs and Finals
The play-in tournament is scheduled to be played from 14–17 April 2026, followed by the opening of the playoffs. The NBA Finals will start on 4 June, with a possible Game 7 scheduled for 21 June. The winning team will take home the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.
Draft
The 2026 NBA Draft will take place after the Finals, typically around late June.
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Player transfers and signings
There have been several notable player transfers and signings in the NBA in recent seasons.
During the 2022-23 season, the Houston Rockets were particularly active, signing Trevor Hudgins to a two-way contract, and Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and TyTy Washington Jr. to multi-year contracts. The Rockets also signed forward Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year, $53 million deal, bringing veteran leadership and defensive prowess to the team. Another key signing for the Rockets was center Clint Capela, who returned to Houston on a three-year, $21.5 million contract, providing a proven rim-protecting presence.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were also busy during this period, signing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a multi-year deal and Enrique Freeman to a two-way contract. The Timberwolves also made a significant trade, sending multiple players and draft picks to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Rudy Gobert, bolstering their frontcourt presence.
The 2023-24 season saw further notable player movements. The Miami Heat strengthened their roster by signing Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant to multi-year deals, as well as acquiring Norman Powell in a trade. The Detroit Pistons were active during this period, signing Ausar Thompson, Malcolm Cazalon, and Jared Rhoden to multi-year and two-way contracts. The Pistons also waived Eugene Omoruyi, creating roster flexibility.
The Phoenix Suns made several signings, including Chimezie Metu, Yuta Watanabe, and Keita Bates-Diop, adding depth to their roster. The Indiana Pacers were also active, signing Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard to multi-year contracts, bolstering their young core.
These player transfers and signings demonstrate the dynamic nature of NBA rosters, with teams constantly adapting and making moves to improve their chances of success.
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Preseason training and games
For basketball players, the preseason typically begins a few months before the start of the regular season. During this time, athletes focus on cardiovascular training and improving their overall fitness. This includes a combination of aerobic conditioning, strength training, and plyometrics. Players work on movements specific to basketball, such as sprinting, backpedaling, defensive sliding, and jumping, to ensure their bodies can handle the constant acceleration and deceleration of the game.
Strength training is a key component of preseason workouts. Players start with bodyweight exercises and gradually progress to loaded exercises, increasing weight while maintaining proper form. This helps build muscle strength and hypertrophy, reducing the likelihood of injuries and improving performance. Preseason strength training also focuses on lower body strength, core stability, and agility.
In addition to physical training, preseason is a time for players to refine their basketball skills and tactics. This includes drills and exercises to improve speed, quickness, and agility, as well as sport-specific skills such as ball handling, shooting, and defensive techniques. Preseason games and scrimmages are also organized to help players get match-ready and apply their training in a competitive environment.
The preseason training schedule for basketball players is carefully planned to ensure optimal performance when the season starts. It is a period of hard work and dedication, laying the foundation for a successful season ahead.
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Player and coach comments
A healthy relationship between a basketball coach and a player is essential for success, and it goes beyond the game itself. It involves mutual respect, open communication, and a shared commitment to improvement. As NBA superstar Stephen Curry attests, the influence of a coach can extend far beyond the basketball court, shaping players' lives and careers.
Coaches play a pivotal role in player development, both on and off the court. They must adapt their leadership styles to suit different players and situations. Some coaches opt for a more hands-on approach, actively yelling instructions during games, while others prefer to let players play and focus on coaching from the bench. Duke coach Jon Scheyer emphasizes the importance of empowering players to lead and fostering a culture of accountability within the team.
Player-coach dynamics are influenced by factors like attitude, effort, and commitment. Coaches must earn players' respect, whether through their achievements or their ability to connect with players. As Paul "Bear" Bryant, a renowned football coach, observed, treating each player as an individual is crucial: "You're a fool if you think as I did as a young coach, that you can treat them all alike."
The cyclical nature of college basketball, with its roster turnover and the emergence of one-and-done freshmen, presents unique challenges for coaches. They must navigate the balance between short-term success and long-term player development, all while adapting to the evolving landscape of college sports, including the rise of paid players and the impact of the transfer portal.
Post-game talks are a critical aspect of the player-coach relationship. Coaches must learn what to say and what not to say after a game, tailoring their messages to the emotions of the players. As one coach reflected, "They really aren't going to listen for more than a few minutes. If they won, they were happy and wanted to celebrate. If they lost, they were pretty much down and tuned me out."
In conclusion, the player-coach relationship is a dynamic and complex aspect of basketball. It involves a mutual exchange of respect, leadership, and commitment, with coaches playing a formative role in players' lives, both on and off the court. As the game continues to evolve, coaches must adapt their approaches to effectively guide and inspire their players.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2025-26 NBA season starts on 26 August 2025.
Some key dates for the 2025-26 NBA season include:
- 5-6 September: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Enshrinement Weekend.
- 23 September: Media days for teams travelling outside North America for the 2025 Preseason.
- 24 September: Training camps open for all teams participating in preseason games outside North America.
- 2 October: 2025 Preseason: NBA Abu Dhabi Games.
The 2024-25 NBA season started on 26 August 2024.
