- S3 INITIAL POWER RANKINGS -
WRITTEN BY: PROFESSOR X
IT’S BACKKKKK! The countdown’s over, ETBL Rookie Division Season 3 has arrived, and the streets have been waiting for this one. After a wild Season 2 full of breakout moments, buzzer-beaters, and a few broken egos, we’re back to do it all over again, only bigger, louder, and more competitive than ever. New squads stepping in with something to prove, returning contenders ready to reclaim what’s theirs, and a few dark horses waiting to shock everyone. The mix is perfect, it’s gonna be pure basketball cinema. Major love to the Commish for keeping the league running tight, every season somehow tops the last, and Season 3 is already feeling like a classic in the making. The jerseys are clean, the gyms are packed, and you can feel that tension in the air, everybody wants the crown. Now, let’s get to it, the Power Rankings. Some teams are gonna come in ready from day one, others will take time finding their rhythm. My job? To tell it how it is. No sugarcoating, no politics, just facts and vibes. If your squad’s not where you think it should be, there’s only one thing to do… Prove it when it counts! So lock in, lace up, and let’s find out who really runs the Rookie Division.
1. NO LONG TALK: It’s rare to kick off a Power Rankings without the reigning champs sitting at the top, but that just shows how deep and competitive this season’s about to be. GM Terrell is back doing what he does best, building another problem of a roster. This squad looks scary on paper. If you’ve got championship aspirations, odds are you’ll have to go through these guys first. The returning core of Terrell, William, Wayne, Kiron, and Aaron keeps that chemistry alive, but the loss of Isaiah definitely stings. Still, Terrell didn’t win GM of the Year for no reason, he got back in the lab and retooled like a pro. Bringing in Nicholas, Nathaniel, Jalen, and Ahsan gives this team both depth and balance. They’ve got experience, energy, and the kind of versatility that wins games deep in the season. Bottom line, there’s a reason they’re sitting at the top of my list. My early title favourites, and they’re not here to talk, they’re here to run it back their way.
2. MAMBAS: Mambas have officially arrived, and GM Jake isn’t wasting any time making noise in the Rookie Division. He’s built a squad that looks ready to compete from day one, and leading the charge is Thai, a name you’ll be hearing a lot this season. Coming off a strong campaign in the Rec Division, he’s stepping into a bigger role here, and don’t be surprised if he ends up in the MVP conversation by midseason. Alongside him, the supporting cast is no joke. Christian, Khami, and Joel round out a lineup stacked with size, length, and athleticism, but what makes this team dangerous isn’t just their physical tools, it’s their poise and basketball IQ. They know how to play, how to adapt, and how to wear teams down. Mambas are built to control the tempo and impose their will on both ends of the floor. This isn’t a team you want to fall behind against, because once they get rolling, it’s curtains.
3. PHANTOMS: Phantoms are back in the Rookie Division and ready to flip the script. After a tough season that saw them finish at the bottom of the standings, this squad is out to prove that last year was a fluke. They had the talent, no doubt, but things just never fully clicked, and they found themselves on the wrong side of too many close games. But this season feels different… or at least, it better be…... The addition of Bronson changes everything. Word around the league is he’s a gritty, two-way forward who can impact the game on both ends, easily one of my early MVP candidates. On top of that, they’ve added size and toughness in the frontcourt, with bigs who bring exactly what they were missing, grit, IQ, and presence. Abeer and company finally have the right mix of talent and experience to make some noise. Now it’s just about chemistry, putting the pieces together and turning those “almosts” into wins. If they do that, don’t be shocked if the Phantoms go from last place to a legit contender.
4. HUSKIES: The Huskies are back, and they’re looking to remind everyone exactly who they are. It’s been two seasons since their championship run, but that title DNA hasn’t gone anywhere. Last year didn’t go as planned, injuries piled up, key players went down, and the Huskies never quite found their rhythm. Even with a few core departures, the foundation is still solid. Season 1 Finals MVP TK, along with Jay and Nahvin, are returning to lead the charge. GM Gowsh wasted no time retooling, bringing in Brian, King, CJ, and Pira to fill some major gaps. This team still carries that trademark grit and veteran poise that made them dangerous in the past. The new additions may be unproven, but the Huskies’ system has always brought the best out of its players. If they can stay healthy and build chemistry early, don’t sleep, a deep playoff run is absolutely on the table. The champs from two seasons ago might feel like a distant memory, but you’d be smart not to forget what they’re capable of.
5. HORNETS: The reigning champs are back, but this time, they’re rolling in with a new look. The Hornets might not be the same squad that lifted the trophy last season, and that’s exactly why they don’t open at #1. Losing Finals MVP Jeroy and Defensive Player of the Year Ronald are massive hits, no sugarcoating that. Those two were the heartbeat of their championship run. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to never doubt GM Waqar. The man knows how to build a winning roster. Last season, his team flew under the radar in the early Power Rankings, and we all saw how that ended. I’m not making that mistake again. This version of the Hornets still has that same gritty core that made them so tough to play against, and the new additions, Wayne, AJ, and Jahfar, reportedly bring that same edge. They’re big, physical, and thrive on pressure. Expect the same hard-nosed defense, relentless energy, and trash talk that made them a nightmare matchup last year. They might look different, but the Hornets’ DNA hasn’t changed, they’ll still sting you if you’re not ready.
6. HELLCATS: The Hellcats are back, new name, new look, same mission. GM Abhiram returns hungry after another tough Finals loss, marking back-to-back heartbreaks as both a coach and player. The squad formerly known as the Lakers is rocking fresh threads this season, but make no mistake, they’re coming in with unfinished business. Last season, the offense was electric, but the defense… not so much. That weakness proved costly when the lights were brightest. But credit to Abhiram, he wasted no time fixing the problem. The addition of Abilash, a legit two-way beast, brings the kind of defensive intensity this team desperately needed. Alongside him, a few new faces will bolster the rotation and bring much-needed depth off the bench. The big three of Abhiram, Akash, and Ashwin are still the engine of this team, and with their revamped supporting cast, another deep playoff run looks well within reach. The Hellcats might’ve fallen short again, but don’t get comfortable, they’re coming back meaner, sharper, and ready to raise hell.
7. TMC: TMC is back in the Rookie Division, and this time, they’re coming with a new identity. Last season, they just missed out on a play-in spot and a shot at postseason redemption. Chemistry issues, unclear roles, and inconsistent rotations kept them from reaching their potential. Simply put, the talent was there, it just never fully came together. Now, with a clean slate and a revamped roster, things are looking up. The additions of Jude, Daryl, Cory, Oshane, and Chris bring exactly what this team needed, size, IQ, and structure. These new faces complement the returning core of Kyron, Kumssa, and Xavier, who carried much of the load last season. On paper, this version of TMC looks far more balanced and composed. If they can build chemistry early and stay locked in, this squad is going to be a real problem for a lot of teams. Don’t sleep, TMC’s about to remind everyone that last year’s struggles were just a setup for the comeback.
8. SAVAGE: Another new team enters the mix, and they’re already turning heads. I really like the frontcourt duo of Varjot and Cole, two big men who can both stretch the floor and dominate the paint. I’m especially high on Cole, who’s already in my early MVP talks. I can easily see him putting up 20 points and 15 rebounds a night, the guy’s an absolute workhorse. The rest of the roster remains a bit of a mystery, which keeps them just outside the top five for now. Still, with their two cornerstone players leading the charge, Savage should come out strong to start the season.
9.TITANS: The Titans are stepping into the Rookie Division as a fresh free-agent squad, but don’t let “new” fool you, there’s plenty of experience sprinkled in. Jeff makes his return, a player who could’ve easily been MVP in Season 1 if his team had finished with a winning record. We already know what he brings, skill, poise, and the ability to take over games. Joining him is Ryan, a sharp-shooting big man who does it all and comes in as an ETBL Rec Division champion. That kind of pedigree is exactly what you want anchoring a new roster. Beyond that, the Titans are loaded with talented, unproven players itching for their moment to shine. If this squad can gel quickly and figure out their rotations, they could become a very dangerous matchup. On paper, the talent is there, now it’s all about chemistry, execution, and stepping up when the lights are brightest. This is a team to watch. Remember the Titians.
10. SWISH: Swish is back, and this time they return with largely the same squad, a team that’s already spent a full season together, which means chemistry is about to be at an all-time high. Having that experience under their belt gives them an edge. Everyone knows their roles, understands the system, and knows how to play off each other. They did lose Rashaun, which stings, but they’ve added two solid pieces in Vijay and Kenneth, who should help fill the gap and add some fresh energy to the lineup. The team still has its core stars, James, their top scorer, Brennan and Malcom, who bring grit and tenacity, and Prem, who provides leadership and keeps everyone on track. On paper, this squad might fly under the radar, but don’t sleep on them. With experience, cohesion, and a balanced mix of talent and toughness, Swish could easily make a deep playoff run this season. They’re not flashy, but they get the job done, and that kind of consistency can make all the difference when it matters most.
11. PANTHERS: GM DJ is back with the Panthers, sporting some fresh threads and a renewed sense of purpose. Last season didn’t start how they wanted, but down the stretch, this team showed serious heart. Everyone counted them out of a play-in spot, needing to win their final two games, including one against the eventual champs, but they dug deep, showed resilience, and got the job done. While the play-in didn’t go their way, the end-of-season stretch proved this squad has toughness and the right basketball instincts. This season, the Panthers look ready to build on that momentum. The addition of Abbeshan, coming off an MVP-worthy Rec Division campaign, gives them exactly the kind of boost they needed. Pair him with Tiv and DJ, and you’ve got a big three capable of shouldering this team to new heights. If the supporting cast steps up and embraces their roles, this squad could turn some heads. I’m calling them my dark horse pick this season, don’t sleep on the Panthers. They’ve got talent, grit, and the ability to make things messy for anyone who underestimates them.
12. BMT: BMT rounds out the Rookie Division with a team built around size, experience, and solid fundamentals. This squad might not have a single superstar to carry the load, but they’re full of reliable role players who know how to contribute, crashing the boards, protecting the paint, and controlling the pace. Expect a slower, more methodical style of play from this group, leveraging their bigs and basketball IQ to grind out wins. While the roster includes a lot of new faces and is still unproven in league action, the foundation is there for them to compete. This team could quietly surprise a few squads, especially if everyone embraces their role and executes. BMT isn’t flashy, but they’ve got the tools to make an impact, and it’ll be interesting to see how quickly they gel under pressure.
13. BULLDOGS: Prav is stepping into the GM world with his own squad, and the Bulldogs are officially in the mix. This team has a lot of new faces, which leaves a bit of an unknown factor, that’s why they’re starting lower in the rankings. But don’t underestimate what Prav brings to the table. Last season, he showed grit, leadership, and defensive intensity, earning himself an All-Defensive spot, and that same mentality is bound to carry over to his new squad. One key addition could make a huge impact, Mustafa, a free-agent pickup who could easily be the best 3-point shooter in the league. If he finds chemistry with the team, this squad has the potential to make some noise and even push toward a playoff spot. The Bulldogs are still a work in progress, but with Prav’s leadership and Mustafa’s shooting and veteran experience, this is a team to watch. They could surprise a few squads once the season gets rolling.
14. THUNDER: The Thunder are a brand-new squad entering the Rookie Division, and with all-new faces, they’re a big question mark, but an exciting one. This team is stacked with size and versatility, from the backcourt to the frontcourt, giving them a solid foundation to compete right away. While they’re still unproven in league play, the pieces are promising. There’s talent, there’s athleticism, and there’s potential, all the ingredients needed to surprise a few teams this season. The key for the Thunder will be chemistry and execution. If they can get on the same page quickly, this squad could be a tough matchup for anyone. They might fly under the radar at first, but don’t sleep on them. With the right mix of skill and teamwork, Thunder could make some noise this season, and it’ll be fun to watch them find their groove.
15. GRIZZLIES: Grizzlies are another brand-new squad entering the Rookie Division, led by Bahi, who we briefly saw last season before an early injury cut his campaign short. Now stepping into a GM role, it’ll be exciting to see what he can build and how this team develops over the season. There are a lot of unknowns with this squad, new faces, fresh chemistry, and untested lineups, which is why they land at the bottom of the rankings for now. But don’t take that as a verdict, this is a league where anything can happen. The Grizzlies have a chance to surprise a few teams and shake up expectations. Bottom line, let your game do the talking.