Basketball League Kerala’s Final Selection Trials Set for May
The shortlisted players will attend official selection trials in May across Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, and Thrissur, with the league set to tip off in June 2026.
Kozhikode, April 14, 2026: The Basketball League Kerala (BLK) has concluded the final leg of its statewide talent identification program, the “One Minute to Hoop” (OMH) Skill Challenge.
Following a considerable turnout at the final sessions held at Silver Hill HSS, Kozhikode, and the Thalassery Municipal Stadium on April 14, the hunt now moves into the high-stakes selection trial phase.
Since its launch, the OMH challenge has seen more than 1,150 young athletes in the Under-14 and Under-19 categories (boys and girls) participate from across the state.
The program was a collaboration between Starting Five Sports Management Pvt Ltd, the Kerala Basketball Association, and ABC Basketball Development League Pvt Ltd, utilizing a unique data-driven approach.
Players were evaluated on shooting, dribbling, and defensive skills through rigorous, high-pressure one-minute tests.
Path to League Selection Trials
Shortlisted players from the OMH challenge will be invited to official selection trials scheduled for the first week of May at three regional hubs: Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, and Thrissur.
Top performers from these trials will then enter the official BLK Player Auction. Six franchise teams–Trivandrum Capitals, Alappuzha Dolphins, Kottayam Bisons, Kochi Stallions, Thrissur Taskers, and Calicut Warriors-will bid to build their squads from this talent pool.
Koshy Abraham, Director of Starting Five and league spokesperson:
“This initiative represents a significant step in professionalising grassroots basketball in Kerala. By providing a transparent and data-driven platform, we are ensuring every talented young player in the state has a fair shot at the professional stage.”
The inaugural BLK season for U-19 and U-14 players is scheduled to tip off in June 2026. A senior league featuring international talent is also slated for next year.
If you’ve come this far...
Appeal to readers - ₹₹ Support Ekalavyas: Ekalavyas is India’s first and only basketball media company. We are not foreign-funded, nor investor backed. Your support and encouragement have got us this far. We now need your financial assistance to ensure we can keep providing you timely, accurate and important information.
Please contribute via https://razorpay.me/@ekalavyas 🙏🏾.
We are accepting contributions as low as Rs. 1/- (including a small processing fee charged by the payment gateway provider). Thank you for playing a part in keeping media independent and objective!