Professional basketball is back in Halifax. And this time, it comes with national reach and international credibility.
The Halifax Hoopers are Nova Scotia’s newest professional team and the first Canadian franchise in TBL, a rapidly growing U.S.-based league with over 40 teams and a reputation for fast-paced, competitive play. While new to many Canadian fans, TBL is a serious professional league with connections to former NBA players and coaches and teams in major U.S. markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
The league includes notable names such as Moochie Norris, a former guard for the Houston Rockets and current head coach of the Houston Push; Lamar Patterson, formerly with the Atlanta Hawks; and Cezary Trybański, the first Polish player in the NBA. The arrival of a TBL team in Halifax signals a new chapter for basketball in the region, one with staying power.
The Hoopers will play their home games at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth. While many in the region know the building as a recreation facility, it also houses one of the most impressive basketball venues in the province. A pro-ready court with ample seating, elevated sightlines, and a game-night atmosphere that feels much closer to Scotiabank Centre than a local gym. The team has fully embraced the Sportsplex as its home base.
Behind the Hoopers is Head Coach and General Manager Augy Jones, a longtime educator and community builder whose connection to the local basketball scene runs deep.
“This is personally special for me as I am a homegrown product of the local basketball community who benefited greatly from the coaches, university and pro players whom I looked up to,” Jones said. “As a son of community activists Joan and Rocky Jones, I have service to others embedded in me. The Halifax Hoopers are a fantastic vehicle to do community work.”
That community-first mentality is reflected in the players as well. The roster was selected not just for athleticism, but for leadership and off-court impact.
“We chose the men on this roster carefully,” said Jones. “They were already doing basketball training and youth mentorship in the cities they lived in. We made it very clear that positive community relations is a foundational aspect of playing for the Halifax Hoopers.”
The Hoopers are aiming to build a recognizable identity both on and off the court. Jones described the team’s style of play as “up-tempo, fast-paced, and entertaining,” with an emphasis on unselfish offense and tough defense. Off the court, the goal is to be seen as approachable, polite, and involved.
“Halifax and Dartmouth are basketball localities,” said Jones. “HRM’s love for watching basketball, from cheering on minor players to supporting high school and university programs, and of course getting behind pro teams is a long-standing tradition.”
The Hoopers are now part of a professional sports landscape that includes the Halifax Mooseheads, Wanderers, Thunderbirds, and Tide, and the team sees itself as a natural addition to that lineup.
The team’s first home game takes place Friday, April 18 at Zatzman Sportsplex, followed by additional home matchups on April 20, April 25, and a two-game weekend set April 26 and 27.
Player bios and photos can be viewed on the Hoopers roster page.
For many, this will be their first time seeing what the Sportsplex can become on a game night. For others, it’s a long-awaited return of professional basketball with a new level of professionalism.
