CWNO Historical Archive: Oct. 2, 1957

New Sports Organization to Introduce Professional Basketball in United States

OPB President James Montgomery shakes the hand of Derrick Lloyd, the first selection in the league’s inaugural draft.

October 2, 1957; New York, NY- Today, in New York City’s famed Metropolitan Arena, James Montgomery announced the launch of the world’s first professional basketball league. Dubbed the Organization of Professional Basketball, the league will feature sixteen teams divided into two conferences, with each conference home to two divisions. Each team will play 45 games and, come season’s end, the teams that win their respective divisions will face off in a play-off tournament, with a champion to be crowned at its completion.

Montgomery, the Organization’s inaugural President, said the league will bring “fans of the world’s most exciting sport” an opportunity to sit up close as the most talented basketball players from around the country square off in intense competition. Montgomery was joined at the press conference by Derrick Lloyd, a six-foot, four-inch basketball phenom from Illinois Tech who will serve as the face of the league when play begins in just one month’s time. Lloyd was the first player selected in the OPB’s recent draft, held behind closed doors, and will be playing for the New York Knights as they head into their first game against the St. Louis Arch on January 15, 1958.

“It’s very exciting to be able to play the game I love professionally and to entertain fans of our beautiful game as we travel across the country,” the 24 year-old athletic specimen said during the press conference. “I’m very grateful to Mr. Montgomery and his colleagues for providing us with this opportunity and I will be training with my teammates all season to make the city of New York proud.”

Derrick Lloyd (14) with some of his teammates on the New York Knights.

Montgomery ended the presentation by showing off the OIB’s Championship Trophy to fans, and this reporter noticed a twinkle in the eye of Derrick Lloyd as he stared at the shiny award. Let’s see if Lloyd and his teammates have what it takes to hoist the impressive trophy above their heads come season’s end.

The Organization of Professional Basketball's logo.