British basketball’s “Lions” programme is set to take on an NBA-style test as the 2026-27 Super League Basketball season gets under way on Friday, according to reports. Newcastle Eagles owner Paul Blake says the league’s coming campaign could be the most competitive in a generation.
Both sources frame the start of the season as a step up for domestic competition, with the “NBA test” presented as a marker of that increased ambition. The coverage emphasizes expectations around the standard of play rather than detailing specific matchups or results tied to the test. While the headlines focus on the prospect of an NBA-calibre challenge, the information provided centres on the league’s opening and the owner’s assessment of competitiveness.
Overall, the outlets agree on the timing of the season’s start and the quoted view from Paul Blake that the 2026-27 Super League could be unusually competitive.
