🏀 2025 BUBL Draft Recap: The Union Has Formed

June 27, 2025 – London, ON

The Ballers Union Basketball League (BUBL) is officially underway — and it all kicked off with our first-ever Draft Night. Four teams were built, rosters locked in, and London’s most competitive summer league took its first bold step forward.

The energy in the gym was real. Captains strategized and dialed in. Media rolled. And the players? They were ready to make statements.

🔢 The Picks Are In

🪟 MacFarlane Windows & Doors - FORESTLINE
Captain: Emilio Dominguez
#1 Overall Pick: Javonte Mitchell — a multi-level scoring threat with a competitive fire that sets the tone.
There’s no shortage of shooting on this squad. With Salman, Brand1, and Enrico Diloretto, MacFarlane might just have the most dangerous backcourt trio in the league. Spacing, swagger, and buckets.

🧠 Inspire Counselling Services - ELEVATION
Captain: Tito Lazo Castro
Tito came away with a bruising frontcourt and serious late-round value. Stealing Albert Ocran and Dilan Atanga helped round out a squad that already boasts fan-favourite big Kerry Branford (picked in round 2) and preseason MVP runner-up Tristan Swanson. On paper, Inspire is physical, deep, and built for the grind.

🧘‍♂️ Balance + Tranquility - EQUILIBRIUM
Captain: Jacob Pitt
Even without their top two picks present at Draft Night scrimmages, B+T showed up and held their own. With the return of Benton Campbell, the most elusive player in the draft, this team could surprise everyone.

Frontcourt anchors EJ Bantigue and Jacob Pitt give this team size and control, and early player polls are already calling them one of the most formidable frontcourts in the league.

🏠 HomeReady Pros - PRECISION
Captain: Brandon Garzon-Acosta
Brandon had a draft-night masterclass. With back-to-back picks in rounds 1 and 2, he locked in Tyler VanEssen (Preseason MVP favourite) and Jayson Luong — a deadly combo of defense and shot-making.

Then he somehow landed Tyler Tremblett in round 5, which may go down as the steal of the draft.

Top to bottom, this squad is loaded with talent — and the league has noticed. They’re a bit undersized, sure. But if they gel? Watch out.

🗳️ Player Poll Highlights

Anonymous preseason poll results are in. Here’s what the players had to say:

• Preseason MVP Favourite: Tyler VanEssen

• Most Likely First Technical: Emilio Dominguez & Gal Harper (TIE)

• Preseason Scoring Champ (PPG) Favourite: Tristan Swanson

• Preseason Lockdown Defender Favourite: Tyler VanEssen & Gal Harper (TIE)

• Preseason Glass Cleaner (RPG) Favourite: Kerry Branford

• Preseason Facilitator (APG) Favourite: Brandon Garzon-Acosta

• Preseason Rainmaker (3PM) Favourite: Tristan Swanson

• Preseason Biggest Dog (Heart/Hustle) Favourite: Gal Harper

• Team Voted Best Draft: HomeReady/PRECISION

• Voted Best Backcourt: MacFarlane/FORESTLINE

• Voted Most Physical Frontcourt: Inspire/ELEVATION

• Team to Beat: It’s split between HomeReady and MacFarlane… but the court will settle it.

🎬 One Night. Four Teams. Countless Storylines.

The Union is formed.
The jerseys are pressed.
The schedule is set.
Now it’s time to run it.

Welcome to #TheBUBL.
Game on.