Basketball Training Systems (BTS) is a full-service licensing platform that enables entrepreneurs to identify, own, and operate successful youth basketball ventures. In collaboration with professional NBA players, BTS has built a structured system designed to develop young athletes into elite performers, both on and off the court. Moreover, its innovative licensing model stands as one of the most comprehensive basketball business ecosystems in the industry today. By combining structure, expertise, and scalable tools, BTS equips partners to succeed within the rapidly expanding $17 billion global sports market.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World at Franchise India 2026, Larry Hughes, Founder of Basketball Training Systems, outlines the organization’s core initiatives and its strategic expansion into India. He discusses the current state of basketball in the country and provides insights into the training programs his organization offers, highlighting their distinctive, performance-driven approach. Additionally, he examines the structural constraints within India’s basketball ecosystem that limit its growth relative to more dominant sports such as cricket and football. He also reflects on the response he has received from basketball associations and schools across India. The following are the key takeaways from this compelling conversation.
Q: What initiatives have you started in the basketball space and successfully brought to India?
A: At Basketball Training Systems, we operate a year-round basketball academy focused on structured skill development and continuous performance improvement. We not only train players to compete at a higher level but also develop coaches to effectively teach, mentor, and elevate young athletes. Consequently, we build a complete development ecosystem where coaching quality and player growth advance together.
Q: How do you perceive the current state of basketball in India?
A: We are witnessing steady growth in demand and engagement. A few years ago, Franchise India approached us after recognizing a clear need for a new sporting ecosystem in the country. This interest was driven by the understanding that while cricket and football dominate the Indian landscape, basketball is rapidly emerging as a truly global sport. Therefore, the objective has been to expand access and provide young athletes, and their families, with high-level, structured basketball training that meets international standards.
Q: What type of training do you provide, and how does it differ from other programs in the field?
A: We use a curriculum-based training model built on structured development and continuous evaluation. Specifically, we run five-week testing blocks, repeated across ten cycles throughout the year. As a result, we deliver five distinct ten-week development phases that are unmatched in this space. This structure allows young athletes to progress through clearly defined transition periods. In addition, we systematically track performance at every stage, ensuring measurable growth and consistent accountability.
Q: What constraints do you see in the Indian basketball ecosystem that hinder its growth compared to more popular sports like cricket and football?
A: Traditional sports like cricket and football have built decades of structured, high-level competition. In contrast, basketball is still relatively new in terms of organized elite pathways in this region, even though the sport itself has long been established globally. As a result, awareness exists, but structured development systems are still evolving.
This is where our work becomes critical. We establish a strong foundation in fundamental skill development. Moreover, we equip young athletes with a clear, system-driven pathway to progress. Through this approach, they develop faster, train more effectively, and ultimately advance to higher levels of performance.
Q: What kind of responses are you receiving from basketball associations and schools, and do you see a genuine intent to grow the sport among them?
A: The reception has been strong and encouraging. Franchise India, our partner, has played a key role in introducing several high-quality franchise systems into the country. In this context, they see us as a strategic partner who can help expand access to schools and to individuals who aspire to train and compete at a high level in basketball.
We approach this with a long-term mindset. Real progress does not happen overnight; it requires sustained, structured development over many years. However, with that commitment in place, we believe we can meaningfully contribute to India’s ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
