United States Masters Basketball Association™ (USMBA™)
A Program of the HARRIS SHEARD Foundation®
Established 2026
Mission
The United States Masters Basketball Association™ (USMBA™) exists to provide competitive basketball opportunities for adult athletes while promoting lifelong wellness, leadership, international friendship, and community service through organized Masters basketball competition.
USMBA™ develops elite domestic competition, facilitates international participation, and creates opportunities for former athletes to continue competing at the highest level well beyond their collegiate and professional careers.
Vision
To become America's premier governing organization for Masters basketball and the recognized pathway for United States teams competing in international Masters competition.
Core Pillars
Competition
Organize elite Masters basketball tournaments throughout the United States.
International Relations
Develop international partnerships while representing American basketball with integrity.
Health & Wellness
Encourage active lifestyles beyond age forty.
Community Impact
Utilize Masters athletes as mentors, coaches, and ambassadors.
Education
Provide coaching education, officiating development, and tournament management certification.
Divisions
Men
40+
45+
International Program
Rather than automatically sending a club team, establish an elite representative program.
Team USA Masters™
Roster Selection
12 Players
3 Alternates
3 Coaches
1 Athletic Trainer
1 Team Physician
1 Team Administrator
Players are selected through:
National Championship
Regional Championships
Player Evaluation Camps
Passport Requirement
I think your passport concept is excellent, and I would formalize it as follows.
International Eligibility Policy
Any athlete wishing to be considered for a USMBA™ international representative team must:
Hold a valid U.S. passport with at least six months' validity beyond the anticipated return date.
Meet all destination-country entry requirements, including visas if required.
Complete all USMBA™ eligibility documentation.
Submit proof of citizenship or other eligibility required by the event organizer.
Meet any roster, age-verification, medical, or registration requirements established by the applicable international competition.
USMBA™ Passport Readiness Program™
To avoid selecting players who cannot travel, all players entering the Team USA selection process must upload:
Passport
Emergency contact
Medical insurance
Birth certificate or government-issued identification
Player agreement
International code of conduct
Only athletes with verified documentation would receive International Eligible status.
This approach should reduce late roster changes and improve readiness for international travel.
Annual Events
Mid-South Masters Open™
Memphis
Southeast Masters Invitational™
Atlanta
National Championship™
Rotating Host City