LEAGUE INFO

League Rules

All Players and coaches must only be wearing PUMA league products while

entering the gym, playing/coaching in games, and leaving the gym. Only Puma

athletic shoes are permitted on the court. No athletic slides or sandals. Violators

will be removed from the court until they are in compliance with wearing Puma

attire.

In NXTPRO events, it is mandatory for both players and coaches to exclusively wear

PUMA. Failure to follow this requirement will result in immediate removal of the individual

from the game, with the team incurring a technical foul for each violation. Players or

coaches will not be able to reenter the game without proper attire. Programs that

experience repeated infractions will be placed on probation, jeopardizing their chance to

secure sponsorship. Additionally, the league office reserves the right to consider the

removal of the program altogether.

The coach’s dress code to be on the bench is Khaki shorts/pants or black slacks

and a PUMA Polo. The pants/shorts must either be PUMA or a non-competitive

brand (Do not wear NIKE, Adidas, Under Armour, New Balance, Reebok). Women

can wear leggings.

We require PUMA products to go through the official league channel provided by BSN.

Avoid the pitfalls of a program from the previous year, which faced legal action from the

brand for procuring counterfeit uniforms from overseas.

Rosters must be filled out for every tournament with updated information for each

team through Event Connect. If a program does not complete their rosters they

will be penalized one tech per person not listed, with the correct jersey number.

To qualify for the PRO16 Finals in Orlando from July 9-12, a player must have been

listed on your team roster and participated in a minimum of two NXTPRO events during

the spring. Similarly, eligibility for the NXTPRO Finals from July 24-27 requires a player

to be on your team roster and to have played in at least three events.

Relegation will take place between NXTPRO tiers 1-7 each week and will be

reflected upon the tournament schedule.●

If the player is not enrolled in a high school for the following fall semester they are

ineligible to play past May 31, 2027. All age groups are graded based on the player’s

graduation year.

NXTPRO Programs cannot use the PRO16 logo for any reason outside of

announcing they qualified for the PRO16 Finals, which will be announced the first

week of June.

Coaches, you are in charge of your program. Fighting will lead to your removal from the

league. Make sure your team understands the expectations and the consequences.

Our categorization is grade-based: if you are entering your senior year of high

school, you fall under 17U; with two years left, you are classified as 16U; and if

you have three years remaining in high school, your designation is 15U, and so

forth.

Invoices have been sent for the entire year.

Payment for invoices is required 21 days prior to the event. Failure to meet this

deadline will result in a late fee, as stipulated in your contract. Ensure timely

payment to avoid incurring additional charges or being left off the tournament

schedule.

Schedule request: To submit a schedule request your invoice must be first paid in full

and on time. The schedule request form will be sent out and will remain the same for all

events. You must submit your schedule request 14 days prior to the event to be

considered. IMPORTANT: Just because you submit a request does not guarantee your

request to be honored.

We will not change the schedule for any reason once it is published outside of our

own mistake. If you do not play a game and choose to forfeit you are impacting

numerous teams’ experiences. Plus tanking your own standing as a forfeit is

counted in the algorithm as a 30-point loss.

Event scheduling will commence 14 days prior. Failure to make timely payments before

this period will result in automatic forfeit losses for all scheduled games that weekend. To

continue participation in the league, payment for the missed event is mandatory.

Ensure that you consistently uphold a positive representation of both yourself and

the league. This extends to your conduct on social media, on the court, and off the

court. Be a source of positive influence for our youth.

All teams participating in league tournaments are required to stay within the host city or

designated tournament location. Each team must book a minimum of five (5) hotel rooms forthe duration of the tournament. 

Teams whose permanent address is located within a 70-mile

radius of the tournament location are exempt from the minimum room requirement. Failure to

comply with this policy will result in removal from the league.

Resolution: How We Handle On-Court Incidents

Purpose: To protect and preserve our circuit in order to provide the greatest opportunity for kids in the

grassroots space.

Observations: Perhaps nothing could put our circuit at risk more than on-court incidents. By nature, we

are conducting a highly competitive environment that generates lots of emotions. These emotions include

the players and coaches involved in the game and spectators watching the game. Our goal would be to

provide this type of environment while maintaining a high level of order, control, and professionalism by all

involved.

Warning Signs: If a game begins to show signs of emotions boiling over from the players and/or coaches,

referees need to be able to discern this and take appropriate action. Appropriate action would be to give a

warning to the coach about a player’s or coach’s actions. Giving a technical for inappropriate actions from

players or coaches. If spectators begin to show signs of over-involvement in the game, referees need to

be able to discern this as well. Appropriate action would be to stop the game and call for the site director

or security to come to the court, have the referee identify the people that are causing the concerns, and

serve as a monitor for the remainder of the game. Including removing the spectators if inappropriate

activity continues.

On-Court Incidents: On-court incidents would include but not be limited to:

Level 1 Incident

Inappropriate language; player-to-player 

Pushing, shoving: player-to-player

Level 2 Incident

Striking: player-to-player

Bench players leaving the bench during an on-court incident (Only coaches will be permitted to

leave the bench for the sole purpose of helping restore order).

Penalties and Discipline:

Level 1:

The warning comes first and if that doesn’t change behavior a technical will be called and

ultimately a 2nd technical and ejection if the behavior still doesn’t change. Any player or coach

that is ejected from a game will be suspended from their next. If they have a game left in their

current tournament it will occur then if not then it will occur in the first game of their next

tournament.

Pushing, shoving: player-to-player constitutes immediate technical to either or both initiating any

contact.

Level 2:

Striking: player-to-player constitutes immediate ejection. Any player or coach that is ejected from

a game will be suspended from the remainder of the tournament and the next tournament as well.-

Bench players leaving the bench area during an on-court incident constitutes forfeiting the game

and forfeiting the rest of their games in that event if there are any left to play. (Only coaches will

be permitted to leave the bench for the sole purpose of helping restore order).

Spectators coming on to the court if able to identify which team they represent will constitute

forfeiting of the game and forfeiting of the rest of their games in that event if there are any left to

play.

More than one Level 2 violation by the same team over the course of our season will constitute

removal from the circuit for good.

Conclusion: The games are being recorded and the ability to review all Incidents exists for our leadership.

The NXTPRO Leadership reserves the right to review all incidents and overrule any decisions that were

made in the heat of the moment whether that be greater or lesser penalties that were imposed.

2026 PRO16/NXTPRO Girls Tournament Rules

ALL National High School Rules Apply Except for the Following

There will be a uniform violation issued to any teams with players or coaches in apparel with visible

logos that are not PUMA. One uniform violation (per item) will be issued to every person on the bench

in violation. 1 free throw per violation will be shot before the game begins. Example: If team A has 3

people with nike shoes they will receive 6 violations and team B will be awarded 6 free throws.

Players cannot enter or re-enter the game until items are removed/changed. Repeat offenders are

subject to removal from the circuit.

Game Rules:

Ages 12U-14U will play 2 14-minute stop time halves, 15U-17U will play two 16-minutes stop time halves.

Running Clock if there is a 20-point lead in the 2nd half. If the game gets WITHIN 10 points the game

will go back to stop clock. All Live and PRO16 events will not have running clocks

A 15-minute grace period applies to all games. If a team fails to appear within 10 minutes of the scheduled

start time, the game played under these circumstances, a running clock will be used. Any game delayed

beyond 15 minutes will result in an automatic forfeit.

IF A TEAM IS UP 20 OR MORE POINTS WITH 2 MINUTES OR LESS THE GAME WILL BE CALLED.

If there is running time, the clock will stop during team timeouts and player

injuries.

Warm up will be a minimum of 2 minutes. Halftime will be 2 minutes.

This is for 17U only. Shot clock will be 24 seconds. All shot clock resets are to 24. There will be no five

seconds rule for games with a shot clock.

Foul Rules:

Players are allowed 6 personal fouls. Once a player receives their 6th foul they will be disqualified for the

remainder of the game.

At the 5th team foul in a quarter, the opposing team shoots 2 bonus shots.

All Technical fouls will result in 2 free throws and possession. Uniform violations are NOT techs. Uniform

violations will result in 1 free throw per violation.

Miscellaneous:

jerseys.

No warm-up basketballs are provided. Game balls cannot be used for team warmups. If

the game ball is not provided by NXTPRO the home team will provide a game ball. ALL

girls games will use 28.5 size basketball. All teams must use Puma League basketballs.

Any ball other than Spalding used in warm ups will result in a violation (1 free throw

per ball).

If a player or coach gets ejected, they will be subject to the league rules for a level one or two violation

Games will start no earlier than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled game time and both coaches must

agree to start early.

Scorekeepers and scoreboard staff will be provided by NXTPRO HOOPS.

Coaches must check score sheets prior to the game. If any player not on the score sheet checks into the

game the opposing team is awarded a technical free throw.

Forfeited games result in a 30 point loss.

Tournament/Site Director has the authority to override any rules.

Timeouts:

3 Timeouts per game (all FULL time outs)

You can advance the ball only when your team calls timeout. (dead ball timeout only)

The coach has to request to advance the ball.

The home team is listed second or on the bottom of the bracket and will wear lightOvertime:

The first team to score four points or more wins the game. There is no time kept.

Overtime starts with a jump ball.

Fouls carry over from the second half.

One timeout per team in OT. Time outs do NOT carry over.

Players are ONLY allowed to be on 1 roster for NXTPRO Events.

Code of Conduct

Resolution: How We Handle On-Court Incidents/On site

Purpose: To protect and preserve our circuit in order to provide the greatest opportunity for kids in the

grassroots space.

Warning Signs: If a game begins to show signs of emotions boiling over from the players and/or

coaches, referees need to be able to discern this and take appropriate action. Appropriate action would

be to give a warning to the coach about a player’s or coach’s actions. Giving a technical for inappropriate

actions from players or coaches. If spectators begin to show signs of over-involvement in the game,

referees need to be able to discern. Appropriate action would be to stop the game and call for the site

director and/or security to come to the court, have the referee identify the people that are causing the

concerns, and serve as a monitor for the remainder of the game. Including removing the spectators if

inappropriate activity continues.

On-Court Incidents: On-court incidents would include but not be limited to:

Level 1 Incident

– Inappropriate language; player-to-player

– Pushing, shoving: player-to-player

Level 1 Discipline:

– The warning comes first and if that doesn’t change behavior a technical will be called and

ultimately a 2nd technical and ejection if the behavior still doesn’t change. Any player or coach

that is ejected from a game will be suspended from their next. If they have a game left in their

current tournament it will occur then if not then it will occur in the first game of their next

tournament.

– Pushing, shoving: player-to-player constitutes immediate technical to either or both initiating any

contact.

Level 2 Incident:

– Striking: player-to-player

– Bench players leaving the bench during an on-court incident (Only coaches will be permitted to

leave the bench for the sole purpose of helping restore order).

Level 2 Discipline:

– Striking: player-to-player constitutes immediate ejection. Any player or coach that is ejected from a

game will be suspended from the remainder of the tournament and the next tournament as well.

– Bench players leaving the bench area during an on-court incident constitutes forfeiting the game

and forfeiting the rest of their games in that event if there are any left to play. (Only coaches will be

permitted to leave the bench for the sole purpose of helping restore order).

– Spectators coming on to the court if able to identify which team they represent will constitute

forfeiting of the game and forfeiting of the rest of their games in that event if there are any left to play.

– More than one Level 2 violation by the same team over the course of our season will constitute

removal from the circuit for good.

– A level 2 violation could result in the removal of the program from the circuit for the remainder of

the season.

Conclusion: The games are being recorded and the ability to review all incidents exists for our leadership. The

NXTPRO Leadership reserves the right to review all incidents and overrule any decisions that were made in theheat of the moment whether that be greater or lesser penalties that were imposed.

2026 PRO16/NXTPRO Boys Tournament Rules

ALL National High School Rules Apply Except for the Following

There will be a uniform violation issued to any teams with players or coaches in apparel with visible

logos that are not PUMA. One uniform violation (per item) will be issued to every person on the bench

in violation. 1 free throw per violation will be shot before the game begins. Example: If team A has 3

people with nike shoes they will receive 6 violations and team B will be awarded 6 free throws.

Players cannot enter or re-enter the game until items are removed/changed. Repeat offenders are

subject to removal from the circuit.

Game Rules:

Ages 12U-14U will play 2 14-minute stop time halves, 15U-17U will play two 16-minutes stop time halves.

Running Clock if there is a 20-point lead in the 2nd half. If the game gets WITHIN 10 points the game

will go back to stop clock. All Live and PRO16 events will not have running clocks

A 15-minute grace period applies to all games. If a team fails to appear within 5 minutes of the scheduled

start time, the opposing team may elect to play the game or be awarded a forfeit win. If the game is

played under these circumstances, a running clock will be used. Any game delayed beyond 15 minutes will

result in an automatic forfeit.

● IF A TEAM IS UP 20 OR MORE POINTS WITH 2 MINUTES OR LESS THE GAME WILL BE CALLED.

If there is running time, the clock will stop during team timeouts and player

injuries.

Warm up will be a minimum of 2 minutes. Halftime will be 2 minutes.

This is for 17U only. Shot clock will be 24 seconds. All shot clock resets are to 24. There will be no five

seconds rule for games with a shot clock.

Foul Rules:

Players are allowed 6 personal fouls. Once a player receives their 6th foul they will be disqualified for the

remainder of the game.

At the 5th team foul in a quarter, the opposing team shoots 2 bonus shots.

All Technical fouls will result in 2 free throws and possession. Uniform violations are NOT techs. Uniform

violations will result in 1 free throw per violation.

Miscellaneous:

No warm-up basketballs are provided. Game balls cannot be used for team warmups. If

the game ball is not provided by NXTPRO the home team will provide a game ball. ALL

boys games will use 29.5 size basketball. All teams must use Puma League basketballs.

Any ball other than Spalding used in warm ups will result in a violation (1 free throw

per ball).

If a player or coach gets ejected, they will be subject to the league rules for a level one or two violation

Games will start no earlier than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled game time and both coaches must

agree to start early.

Scorekeepers and scoreboard staff will be provided by NXTPRO HOOPS.

Coaches must check score sheets prior to the game. If any player not on the score sheet checks into the

game the opposing team is awarded a technical free throw.

Forfeited games result in a 30 point loss.

Tournament/Site Director has the authority to override any rules.

Timeouts:

3 Timeouts per game (all FULL time outs)

You can advance the ball only when your team calls timeout. (dead ball timeout only)

The home team is listed second or on the bottom of the bracket and will wear light●

The coach has to request to advance the ball.

Overtime:

The first team to score four points or more wins the game. There is no time kept.

Overtime starts with a jump ball.

Fouls carry over from the second half.

One timeout per team in OT. Time outs do NOT carry over.

Players are ONLY allowed to be on 1 roster for NXTPRO Events.

Code of Conduct

Resolution: How We Handle On-Court Incidents/On site

Purpose: To protect and preserve our circuit in order to provide the greatest opportunity for kids in the

grassroots space.

Warning Signs

: If a game begins to show signs of emotions boiling over from the players and/or

coaches, referees need to be able to discern this and take appropriate action. Appropriate action would

be to give a warning to the coach about a player’s or coach’s actions. Giving a technical for inappropriate

actions from players or coaches. If spectators begin to show signs of over-involvement in the game,

referees need to be able to discern. Appropriate action would be to stop the game and call for the site

director and/or security to come to the court, have the referee identify the people that are causing the

concerns, and serve as a monitor for the remainder of the game. Including removing the spectators if

inappropriate activity continues.

On-Court Incidents: On-court incidents would include but not be limited to:

Level 1 Incident

– Inappropriate language; player-to-player

– Pushing, shoving: player-to-player

Level 1 Discipline:

– The warning comes first and if that doesn’t change behavior a technical will be called and

ultimately a 2nd technical and ejection if the behavior still doesn’t change. Any player or coach

that is ejected from a game will be suspended from their next. If they have a game left in their

current tournament it will occur then if not then it will occur in the first game of their next

tournament.

– Pushing, shoving: player-to-player constitutes immediate technical to either or both initiating any

contact.

Level 2 Incident:

– Striking: player-to-player

– Bench players leaving the bench during an on-court incident (Only coaches will be permitted to

leave the bench for the sole purpose of helping restore order).

Level 2 Discipline:

– Striking: player-to-player constitutes immediate ejection. Any player or coach that is ejected from a

game will be suspended from the remainder of the tournament and the next tournament as well.

– Bench players leaving the bench area during an on-court incident constitutes forfeiting the game

and forfeiting the rest of their games in that event if there are any left to play. (Only coaches will be

permitted to leave the bench for the sole purpose of helping restore order).

– Spectators coming on to the court if able to identify which team they represent will constitute

forfeiting of the game and forfeiting of the rest of their games in that event if there are any left to play.

– More than one Level 2 violation by the same team over the course of our season will constitute

removal from the circuit for good.

– A level 2 violation could result in the removal of the program from the circuit for the remainder of

the season.

Conclusion: The games are being recorded and the ability to review all incidents exists for our leadership. The

NXTPRO Leadership reserves the right to review all incidents and overrule any decisions that were made in the

heat of the moment whether that be greater or lesser penalties that were imposed.