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The International Basketball League completed its first ever Winter league two weeks ago and today- the IBL announces the teams and divisions for the traditional season (the Spring/Summer) 2011 season; this season starts on Friday April 15th as the Kankakee (Illinois) Soldiers will travel to play the Albany (New York) Legends. The divisions are seen below.

International division

1. Albany Legends
2. Gary Splash
3. Edmonton Energy
4. Kankakee Soldiers
5. Oregon Waves

Continental division

1. Vancouver Volcanoes
2. Olympia Reign
3. Bellingham Slam
4. USA All-Stars
5. Los Angeles Lightning
6. West Coast Hotshots

The International and Continental divisions are set up primarily for teams to try to win their 'division' after 20 games of league play. The IBL end of season tournament does not relate as much to the divisions as all teams from either division are put into one seeded tournament (seeds based on winning %). Note: the USA All Stars and the West Coast Hotshots will play 20 neutral site and/or away games, all official games, but those two teams do not participate in the end of season tournament.

Branding teams are as follows:

1. Las Vegas Pride
2. Lansing Capitals
3. Phoenix Raptors
4. Lake County All Stars
5. Ohio Hidden Gems

A Branding team operates with the purpose of building a brand and/or maintaining a brand. Branding teams do not play enough games to be in the IBL tournament (this is for full 20 game teams only). A branding team is entitled to play roughly 4 away games and 1 home game in a 'branding year'. Games played by branding teams do count as regular games for the IBL teams who play against them (normal wins and losses, official and real IBL games, not exhibitions). Some branding teams may stay in that branding mode for years. The IBL's 'branding year' program allows a team owner to learn and grow - but in a reasonable way, at a reasonable pace and at a reasonable cost. When that new team owner finally does join the IBL for a full season, that new owner will be more prepared.

Note: two teams played in the Winter and are planning on playing next Winter but will not participate in the traditional season; those two teams are the Great Lakes All Stars and the 7th year Battle Creek Knights who by next November, plan to be heading into a record 8th season of play.

For more information on the International Basketball League, visit the IBL web site - www.iblhoopsonline.com

Greetings Basketball Fans!!!!!!

Get ready for the Edmonton Energy as they hit the hardwood for the 2011 season. It's an exciting year as we look forward to a super competitive and entertaining year. The Edmonton Energy get ready to move into the 2012 season playing out of the brand new "GO CENTRE".

Edmonton Energy has an incredible group of returning players that have recently played basketball in Europe. The City of Edmonton is extremely proud to showcase a pro level basketball team that feature extraordinary athletes from around the world. Rick Stanley, 2011 General Manager Edmonton Energy, looks to build from the previous seasons in the International Basketball League. Building basketball in the City of Edmonton and around the province of Alberta, is a key focus for the GM and the rest of the Energy program. "This is an incredible city and province that champions sport and entertainment second to no one across Canada", says Stanley.

With 10 games in Edmonton, 5 games across the rest of Alberta and 8 games in the United States get ready to see Canada's professional basketball team battle for the IBL championship. Local stars and international players will come to entertain and showcase talent that excites crowds in North America.

Thank you for Sponsoring and Supporting the Edmonton Energy