NEW YORK (AP) — Top high school girls basketball players will have a new option to play in next summer after the AAU season is over as Overtime is starting a league for them — Overtime Select.
The company, which began as a digital media group but has expanded, has been running a boys’ basketball league since 2021 and has a social media presence with nearly 100 million followers across its platforms. This is the first women’s league it’s run, although they’ve had events for girls before.
“We spent over a year, almost two years, doing two things. One is spending time talking to the players and their families and coaches on what the opportunities were. Are they underserved?” Overtime CEO Dan Porter said in a phone interview. “Number two, building a coalition of advisers around us so that it wasn’t just Overtime popping out of nowhere doing something.”
The league will have eight teams competing over a four-week stretch in late July and early August. There will be a weekend of pool play followed by playoffs and finals with games played in Atlanta.
“We are so excited to tip-off Overtime Select and to give fans the chance to see elite match ups with the best players in the country,” said Director of Overtime Select Sascha Malas. “Overtime WBB has been a leader in the space for five years and we can’t wait to continue our support and growth of women’s basketball with the future stars of the game. Our goal is to positively impact the women who participate in Overtime Select’s futures and enhance their success on and off the court.”
The league has already gotten commitments from high school juniors Aaliyah Chavez, Jasmine Davidson and the Pauldo sisters Mia and Mya. Chavez and Davidson are ranked 1-2 in their class according to ESPN rankings.
“The coolest thing is playing with people outside of my circuit,” said Chavez, who plays in Nike tournaments in the summer with her AAU team. “It’s a lot of fun playing with and against players from other circuits.”
Players will also participate in a summit for the opportunity to learn more about the business of basketball and maximizing their earning potential through name, image and likeness compensation deals. Many states, like Texas where Chavez lives, don’t allow high school players to have NIL deals.
Besides the summit discussions, players will receive yearlong business mentorship and exposure across Overtime’s social platforms.
Overtime has assembled a group of advisers that include college and WNBA players Paige Bueckers, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Agents Lindsay Kagawa Colas and Erin Kane also are on the advisory board.
The advisers will also be involved in developing the league’s format and providing mentorship to the players.
“I am proud to be part of developing this groundbreaking league and to join an amazing group of advisers,” said Stewart. “The future of our sport has never been brighter. Providing more opportunities for the many talented, up-and-coming players is essential to continuing the growth of our game, and my ambition is this league serves as a platform and accelerator for those athletes.”
The new league will mostly occur outside the recruiting window so Division I coaches won’t be able to attend games. It also potentially could conflict with the NCAA’s Basketball Academy that had its inaugural session in July.
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