We already established in previous articles many of the top clubs in the country are already in shoe circuits but things have changed over the last few years and a new wave of independent clubs have emerged that could come in and shake things up in a shoe league. We take a look at the next 12 clubs who could be up for a shoe contract for 2022.
Sports City U – After finishing number one nationally this year Sports City literally could join any shoe circuit and become an instant contender. With stronghold programs in Ohio in the EYBL – All Ohio UAA – Cincy Angels – Adidas – Ohio United the space really isnt there unless a circuit was ready to cut to create the space. Sports City has clearly been the best team in Ohio in recent years and it doesnt look like there is any changing that any time soon.
Arkansas Mavericks – Having the number one player in the country makes you a target for circuits regardless of shoe company. Makaylah Williams has had a monster 2021 year propelling herself to the number one spot nationally with us and in turn with her taken her team into consideration to being an elite program and under consideration for a shoe deal. Arkansas is saturated already with shoe teams as the Banshees are the premier adidas club nationally and Arkansas Select is coming off a Top 8 finish in Under ARmour. Nike is loaded up with Texas programs already so the space isnt there but you would have to make every effort to have WIlliams wearing your brand in 2022.
FBC NWA – FBC’s northwest chapter came on to the scene by storm this year with some of the top players in the region and the country. A tough situation for FBC NWA is the fact that FBC already has two UAA programs and what the legalities would be to join another brand like Adidas or Nike without having to change the program name all together or if Alfred “Mo” Motton would give one of his two slots in 17U to Nars and the crew to rep the Pacific Northwest in the UAA. Last year they had 3 teams in the 16’s and 15’s but FBC NWA will be a Top Level 17U squad in 2022 and certainly deserving of a shoe deal.
Jason Kidd Select – Another somewhat of a first year program formerly known as Golden City outperformed most of the teams in California who already had a shoe deal. Teams with EYBL deals in California have to be losing sleep over the prospects of what Jason Kidd Select will look like in year 2 and beyond. SImply I think if Jason Kidd wants an EYBL deal they’ll get it they are a little boxed into the Nike box because of the affiliation with Kidd but if you are Nike getting Jason Kidd Select on board for the circuit should be a priority this off season.
New Heights – New Heights is in a unique situation because they are tied to a boys program. Two years ago New Heights was a Top 10 UAA program in the inaugural season but now that the boys switched to Nike from Under Armour they spent the 2021 season as an independent club. New Heights is another no brainer must add for Nike in 2022. The northeast is an undersaturated region which could hold more elite club shoe teams because of the no limit on players from bordering states. Look for New Heights to be high on the list if Nike makes any changes in 2022.
NEPA Elite – After Philly Rise NEPA really could have been the best team in the state of Pennsylvania last year. LIke the Mavericks it is a program based right now around a great player in Ciera Toomey who comes in at #2 in our 2023 rankings. Everyone should want Toomey in their circuit and brandin 2022 so look for NEPA to be a hot team to add as we go into the club basketball off season.
Wolverinas – Chicago is always a hot bed of talent and the Wolverinas have built an elite program over the last several years despite not being with a shoe company. The Wolverinas have gone toe to toe and beaten elite clubs around the country at independent events and most impressively built it during a pandemic. Chicago is like many large areas these days where you dont have the one super elite singular club rather that you have several programs who are really good. The Wolverinas are a club and in a place which a shoe company would want to lock in one of those clubs for 2022.
Team Durant – A team named after Kevin Durant and sponsored by what ESPN calls the best player in the world who sponsored by Nike isnt a shoe sponsored team almost doesnt make sense. But in 2021 Team Durant played as an independent girls team while the boys team was on the EYBL circuit. With some of the elite talent on their roster I cant see that lasting very long. The traditional DMV programs are losing some traction with the new kids on the block moving in like Team Durant. While team Durant didnt notch many elite level wins in 2021 they still have top tier talent and top tier brand recognition look for them to be in the EYBL in 2022.
Mac Irvin Fire – Similar to Sports City they are one of the long standing independent teams in the country. Mac Irvin had a strong year in multiple events playing many 2023 players up competing at a national level. Mac Irvin boys teams have been a staple in Chicago forever and have been with Nike in the past. What you can see from this list is many of the good players in Illinois are still not with a shoe company and it is an extremely competitive region. Nike, Under Armour, or Adidas would benefit from the addition of Mac Irvin who would be a top team in their circuit.
Team Final – Team Final is a strange case because originally Books and Basketball was moving their top kids to Team Final and there was talk of an EYBL deal with the ousting of the Philly Belles last year. Philly Rise popped up with many of the top Philly Belles players and jumped back into that EYBL spot. Books and Basketball reformed to join the UAA and finished in the Top 12 in 2021. Depending on what happens in the EYBL those players could all form an EYBL team in Team Final in 2022 if things break right for them having a deal. Regardless the team Team Final put together last year showed there is a lot of promise on the girls side of Team Final.
Philly Belles – The Philly Belles were one of the longest standing Nike Teams in the country until last year when they were no longer with Nike and ran as an independent in the Blue Star League. With their name brand, connections, and ties to blue star, why wouldnt a shoe company team pick them up in the UAA or Adidas to bring back the Philly Power on another circuit. The Belles were still strong in 2021 despite not being with Nike bringing them back into a shoe circuit could be a play to really shake things up.
Wheat State Elite – I have not seen Wheat State with my own eyes but their results speak for themselves. The middle of the country is getting really good in girls grassroots basketball and while the Eclipse and Kansas United have been around, Wheat State is really making progress on a national level to be in strong consideration for a shoe deal.
