2026 Native American Basketball Invitational
July 14-18, 2026 | Phoenix, Arizona
Here you will find all the latest information related to our upcoming NABI tournament happening July 14-18, 2026.
NOVEMBER 2025
Saturday, November 1, 2025:
Application available online.
Saturday, November 15, 2025:
Deadline for auto-entry registration.
FEBRUARY 2026
Sunday, February 1, 2026:
Application and team fees deadline. (10) player(s) max
Friday, February 6, 2026:
Teams notified of acceptance or decline, notifications sent out via email.
Friday, February 13, 2026:
Teams announced publicly on NABINation.com and social media. No refunds after February 13th
MARCH 2026
Sunday, March 1, 2026:
Deadline for coach(s) to submit background check information.
JULY 2026
Friday, July 10, 2026:
Player(s) & Coach(s) waivers due. Team rosters due.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026:
Team Check-in, Coaches Meeting, and Team Meet & Greet Party
July 15-16, 2026:
Educational Youth Summit
July 15-17, 2026:
Pool & Bracket Games
Saturday, July 18, 2026:
Semifinals & Championship games.
2026 NABI TEAMS
505 ELITE | NM | Navajo Nation |
86ers | NE | Omaha Tribe Of Nebraska |
AK Storm | AK | Alaska Native Tribes |
Ak-Chin | AZ | Ak-Chin Indian Community |
APACHE BOYZ | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe |
Apache Outcast | AZ | San Carlos Apache Tribe |
Apaches | AZ | San Carlos Apache Tribe |
AZ FIRE ELITE | AZ | Navajo Nation |
B.T.B Boys | AZ | Gila River Indian Community |
Birdmen YG | WA | Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, Sioux Tribe |
Braves | SD | Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe |
Canyon Runnerz | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Cavaliers | NM | Navajo Nation |
Cheyenne & Arapaho | OK | Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes |
Crazy Dogs | MT | Crow Tribe of Montana, Northern Cheyenne Tribe |
CRIT | AZ | Colorado River Indian Tribes |
Crow Hawks | MT | Crow Tribe of Montana |
CSKT Hoops | MT | Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes |
DBG Elite | MS | Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians |
D-Block | AZ | Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation |
DC BRAVES | NM | Navajo Nation, Laguna Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, White Mountain Apache Tribe |
First Nation Warriors – Australia | AUS | Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander |
Fort Mojave | CA | Fort Mojave Indian Tribe |
Ft.yuma | CA | Quechan Tribe of Fort Yuma Indian Reservation |
Gila River | AZ | Gila River Indian Community |
Intertribal, CA | CA | Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseno Mission Indians, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Viejas, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Mission Indians of California, Barona Band of Mission Indians, Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians, Iipay Nation Of Santa Ysabel, Cahuilla Band of Indians, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians |
Legendary Elite | OK | Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Sac & Fox Nation, Iowa Tribe Of Oklahoma, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Kickapoo Tribe, Seneca Nation of Indians, Crow Nation, Navajo Nation, Blackfeet Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma |
Lower Sioux | MN | Lower Sioux Indian Community, Yankton Sioux Tribe (Wagner) |
Makah Nation | WA | Makah Indian Tribe |
Missouri River Elite | ND | MHA Nation, Acoma Pueblo Tribe, Oglala Lakota Nation, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe |
MN Elite | MN | Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians |
Muckleshoot | WA | Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Pechanga Band of Indians, Alaska Native Tribes |
Nast’ogha | CAN | Tsuu’tina Nation |
Native Arrows | NM | Navajo Nation |
Native Rise | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation |
NAZ SOLDIERS | AZ | Navajo Nation |
NM Wolves | NM | Navajo Nation, Colorado River Indian Tribes |
North Dakota warriors | ND | MHA Nation |
Northern Elite | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Northern Thunder | ND | Arikara Nation, Sioux Tribe |
NW Connection | WA | Puyallup Trib , Yakama Nation, Makah Tribe, Tlingit Indian Tribe |
OSNI | ND | Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Spirit Lake Tribe, MHA Nation |
PNW Ballers | WA | Yakama Nation, Lummi Nation, Nez Perce Tribe |
REAL Team 6 | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Red bears | MN | Anishinaabe |
Rez Ballers | FL | Seminole Tribe of Florida |
Rez Dogs | AZ | Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe, Ohkay Owingeh |
Rezbombers | AZ | Intertribal |
RezElite Mescalero | NM | Mescalero Apache Tribe Laguna Pueblo, Navajo Nation, Cochiti Pueblo, Lakota Sioux Tribe |
RezRunnerz | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians |
Roc Steady | AZ | Navajo Nation,, San Carlos Apache Tribe |
Rockhawks | MT | Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, Shoshone Tribes, Arapaho Tribe, Crow Tribe, Chippewa Cree Indians, Ho-Chunk Nation, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Blackfeet Tribe, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes |
Salish Hoops | WA | Lummi Nation |
SAMIDOT | IA | Meskwaki Nation |
San Carlos ThunderHawks | AZ | San Carlos Apache Tribe |
Shadow Wolves | WA | Yakama Nation, Puyallup Tribe, Fort Peck Tribes, Tulalip Tribes, Nez Perce Tribe |
Snowbirds | AK | Native Village of Scammon Bay |
Sota Boyz | MN | Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe |
Spartans | AZ | Navajo Nation |
SSE Apaches | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe |
STRIKRZ | NM | Navajo Nation |
Tamaki Makaurau Maori | NZ | Māori |
Tha Tribe | AZ | Navajo Nation |
The Future | AZ | Navajo Nation |
The River | AZ | Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, Yavapai-Apache Nation, Hualapai Indian Tribe, Navajo Nation |
Tribal Dynasty | AZ | Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona |
Tropics | OK | Caddo Nation, Delaware Tribe of Indians, Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes, Sac & Fox Nation, Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation |
U&O UTES | UT | Ute Indian Tribe |
Unconquered | FL | Seminole Tribe of Florida, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians |
VALLEY | AZ | Navajo Nation |
War-Hoop’rs | WA | Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Fort Belknap Indian Community |
Warrior Movement | MT | Chippewa Cree Indians, Blackfeet Tribe, Crow Tribe, Lummi Nation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Northern Cheyenne Tribe |
WE R1 | AZ | Tohono O’odham Nation |
WINNEBAGO WARPATH | NE | Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska |
WZ Apache’s | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe |
Yavapai Warriors | AZ | Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation |
YNAB | CA | Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Seminole Tribe of Florida |
Young Gunz | AZ | Intertribal |
Yuut Basketball | AK | Yupik Tribe |
Zuyá | NM | Navajo Nation, Lakota Tribe, Apache Tribe |
21st NATIVES | AZ | Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Apache Tribe, Tohono O’odham Nation |
505 THUNDER | NM | Navajo Nation |
509 Road Warriors | WA | Yakama Nation |
701 | ND | MHA Nation |
AK Storm | AK | Alaska Native Tribes |
Aotearoa Maori | NZ | Intertribal |
AZ TRUE GRIT | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Bird City | AZ | San Carlos Apache Tribe, Navajo Nation, WhiteMountain Apache Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Pueblo Tribe, Crow Tribe, MHA Nation |
Cali Natives | CA | Navajo Nation, Mono Tribe, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Tachi Yokut Tribe, Crow Tribe |
Cansayapi | MN | Lower Sioux Indian Community, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Navajo Nation |
Dézhóné Ch’ikii | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe |
Dine’ Bombers | AZ | Navajo Nation, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Nez Perce Tribe |
Dream Catchers Basketball | WA | Puyallup Tribe, Makah Indian Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Metlakatla Indian Community, Hoh Tribe |
Dreamville | NE | Santee Sioux Nation |
Eesha | NV | Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Tulalip Tribes, Walker River Paiute Tribe, Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, Northern Arapaho Tribe, Chippewa Cree Indians |
Gila River | AZ | Gila River Indian Community |
Hagoteele Apaches | AZ | San Carlos Apache Tribe |
HoopStarz | NM | Navajo Nation, Pueblo Tribe |
Inter Tribal Sports | CA | Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians |
Lady AZ Newest | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Lady Blossoms | NM | Navajo Nation |
Lady Fusion | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Lady Hu’u Nađ:O Kam | AZ | Ak-Chin Indian Community |
Lady Lobos | NM | Laguna Pueblo, Navajo Nation |
LADY NITRO | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Lady RezRunnerz | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe |
Lapwai Nation | ID | Nez Perce Tribe, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Quileute Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, Seneca Nation of Indians |
Legendary Elite | OK | Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Sac & Fox Nation, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Ponca Tribe, Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, Yakama Nation |
MBCI Outlaws | MS | Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians |
N8V Eyepatch | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Native Soldiers | FL | Seminole Tribe of Florida, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Comanche Nation, Lakota Tribe, Navajo Nation |
NE | AZ | Navajo Nation |
New Mexico Swish City | NM | Cheyenne Tribe, Navajo Nation, Native Hawaiian, Jemez Pueblo, San Domingo Pueblo |
Northern Stars | AZ | Navajo Nation, Sioux Tribe, Tohono O’odam Nation, and White Mountain Apache Tribe |
Northern Thunder | ND | Intertribal |
NSAP | OK | Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Comanche Nation, Apache Tribe |
NWT | AZ | Hopi Tribe, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah |
Peach Springs Lady Bandits | AZ | Hualapai Indian Tribe, Navajo Nation, Zuni Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes |
PUEBLO ELITE | NM | San Felipe Pueblo |
Respect | OK | Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes |
Rez Made | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe |
Rezbombers | AZ | Navajo Nation, Samoan, Sioux Tribe, Chippewa Cree Indians |
RezElite Mescalero | NM | Mescalero Apache Tribe, Laguna Pueblo, Cherokee Nation, Cochiti Pueblo, Navajo Nation |
Roc Steady | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Rockhawks | MT | Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, Crow Tribe of Montana, Shoshone Tribe, Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, Blackfeet Tribe |
RUN n GUN | AZ | Navajo Nation, Apache Tribe |
Salish Hoops | WA | Lummi Nation, Intertribal |
San Carlos ThunderHawks | AZ | San Carlos Apache Tribe |
SC Girls | AZ | San Carlos Apache Tribe |
Supreme Nation | OK | Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Sicangu Lakota (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) |
T.O. STORM | AZ | Tohono O’odham Nation |
T3 Na8ves | AZ | White Mountain Apache Tribe |
Team Hoops | AZ | Navajo Nation |
Team Stronghold | AZ | Navajo Nation & San Carlos Apache Tribe |
TNF | IA | Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Meskwaki), Spirit Lake Tribe, Kickapoo Tribe |
Tribal Dynasty | AZ | Navajo Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community |
Tribal Petals | OR | Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation |
UmonHon Reign | NE | Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Oglala Lakota Nation |
Unknown Hoops | UT | Navajo Nation |
Waawaate | MN | Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians |
Wakšik Hinuk | NE | Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska |
Wi’he Elite | NE | Omaha Tribe of Nebraska |
Wisco Deer Ladies | WI | Oneida Nation |
Yuut Basketball | AK | Yupik Tribes of the Kuskokwim (Native Village of Chuathbaluk) |
TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
Please read page in its entirety before calling or emailing with questions.
*Rules, regulations, benefits, NABI related events, venues and dates are subject to change without notice.
- (4) Games minimum
- Teams will receive NABI Nation Custom Team Uniforms (Jersey and Shorts)
- NABI Player Credentials (1x per Player)
- Credentials are non-transferable
- New: NABI Coach(s) will receive NABI Nation Custom Short Sleeve Dri-Fit Shirt
- NABI Coach Credentials (1x per Coach)
- Credentials are non-transferable
- Access into all NABI games, including Championship games
- Access into all NABI special events:
- NABI College & Career Fair
- NABI Team Meet & Greet Party
- NABI Educational Youth Summit
- NABI College Scholarship Fund: Graduating seniors are eligible to apply.
- New: Team Fee and Travel Reimbursement
- $500 per player and coach, not to exceed $6,000 per team
- Please keep all expense receipts to be eligible for reimbursement
should you win the 2026 NABI Championship. Teams with (1) coach will need to submit originals or copies of travel (airfare, rental vehicles, gas), lodging and meal receipts in the amount of $4950 to receive reimbursements. Teams with (2) coaches will need to submit original or copies of travel (airfare, rental vehicle, gas), lodging and meal receipts in the amount $4900 to receive reimbursements.
- $500 per player and coach, not to exceed $6,000 per team
- Championship games (Location TBA) broadcasted LIVE on AZFamily Sports
- NABI Championship Trophy
- NABI Championship Trophy created exclusively for NABI – solid bronze custom design by Indigenous artist, Dave Montour (MHA Nation)NABI Championship Rings
- NABI Championship Medals
- NABI Championship Shirt and Cap
- Automatic entry into the 2027 NABI Tournament
- Teams not accepted will receive a 100% refund.
- Accepted teams must notify NABI before February 13, 2026 to decline their invitation and receive a full refund. Auto-entry teams $500 deposit is non-refundable.
- No refunds after February 13, 2026.
- Players must be Native American or Indigenous to the Country they are representing.
- Head Coach must carry with them at all times (4) proofs of player(s) eligibility below:
- Tribal Membership ID or C.I.B. (Certificate of Indian Blood)
- School transcript or report card for 2025-2026 academic year
- Photo ID and Copy of Birth certificate
- To apply for a Certificate of Indian Blood, see the following link: bia.gov
- Please allow ample time to apply. For more information, please contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the agency from whom you receive services from.
- NABI no longer accepts Birth Certificates and Tribal Documents from relatives to prove descendancy.
- Teams and/or players representing: First Nations Canada, Native Hawaiian, Native Pacific Islanders, Indigenous Australia, Indigenous New Zealand and Indigenous Mexico are eligible to compete. Documentation issued by participating countries must be provided as proof of eligibility.
- Head Coach must carry with them at all times (4) proofs of player(s) eligibility below:
- Participants must be enrolled in high school with the exception of (1) graduating 8th grader per team.
- New: GED students are no-longer eligible. Players must be enrolled in high school to be eligible.
- Graduating seniors for the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible.
- (1) Graduating 8th grader for the 2025-2026 academic year (incoming freshmen for the 2026-2027 academic year) are eligible to compete.
- Due to the high skill level of NABI teams, NABI does not recommend graduating 8th graders unless the player in question has High School experience or skill level.
- Participants who turn 20 years old before or on July 18, 2026 are NOT ELIGIBLE.
- Students who received their High School diploma prior to 2025-2026 academic and/or are currently enrolled in a post graduate institution or Preparatory Academy are NOT ELIGIBLE to play.
- Must provide a copy of school transcript or report card from the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Must provide photo ID and copy of birth certificate.
- Participants must complete and sign a Participate Waiver & Release Form, available on Exposure Events.
- A Parent or Legal Guardian must sign, if under the age of 18.
- New: Coaches are prohibited to sign for under-age players unless he/she is a legal guardian or parent. Legal Guardian documentation will be required.
- Waivers due July 10, 2026
- No player can play for more than one team.
- Players who do not attend the mandatory check-in and College & Career Fair on Tuesday will not be eligible. In addition, players must play all scheduled games to remain eligible. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Mandatory for all players to attend the Educational Youth Summit. New: This rule will be enforced!
- Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches must agree to a background check.
- New: Must submit background check information by March 1, 2026. NABI will send the link to Head Coaches once teams are confirmed. If information is not submitted by March 1st, the team will not be able to participate in NABI and no refund will be given.
- Coaches do not have to be Native American and/or Indigenous.
- Head and Assistant Coaches must be over the age of 21.
- A limit of (2) coach(s) per team; (1) Head Coach and (1) Assistant Coach.
- New: Head Coach(s) and Assistant Coach(s) can only coach one team.
- Coach(s) are responsible for the conduct of their team and must always escort and supervise their team.
- Coaches must complete and sign a Participant Waiver & Release Form.
- Head and Assistant Coaches must show a valid ID at check-in.
- Adhere to all deadlines.
- Important: To minimize disruption of the Check-In process and related events, NABI will not allow late check-in. All players and coaches must be present for Check-In. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- New: Attend all NABI related events to include the NABI Team Meet & Greet Party, NABI Coaches Meeting, and (2) sessions of the NABI Educational Youth Summit (MANDATORY). Coaches/Teams who do not attend will not be invited back to participate in NABI. This rule will be enforced.
- At all times, head coaches must carry all player eligibility documents (transcript/report card, C.I.B/Tribal Membership and photo ID/copy of birth certificate) in the event a player’s eligibility is challenged. If the head coach does not have any player eligibility documents at the time a challenge has been called, that player or team will be disqualified from the remainder of the tournament.
- New: Any falsification of eligibility documents will call for the whole team to be ejected from the tournament and possible ejection from competing in future NABI events and NABI Scholarship eligibility.
- For security purposes all players and coaches must wear their NABI credentials at all times.
- If a player/coach loses their NABI badge, a replacement will cost $30.
- Damaged badges can be exchanged for free. Must return the damaged badge to NABI Staff in order to exchange.
- New: Sharing credentials with non-players/coaches will result in ejection from the tournament.
- Players and coaches must wear the official team uniform and coach shirt during all NABI games.
- New: NABI Uniforms cannot be altered for political and/or protest purposes.
- Drugs, alcohol, gambling, and firearms are prohibited.
- Teams are responsible for lodging, meals, and travel costs to and from the NABI Tournament.
- For lodging information, please visit the NABI Nation website (available after team selection).
- Must adhere to the NABI Code of Conduct:
- “This Code of Conduct is established to reflect positive behavior and choices during any NABI tournament and events. This code strictly prohibits the use of illegal and/or recreational drugs and alcohol, falsification of eligibility documents, unruly behavior and any/or all forms of harassment. By participating in NABI, you agree to abide by the code of conduct, all rules and regulations, and conduct yourself in a manner that reflects positive behavior. Breaking the “Code of Conduct” will result in your immediate dismissal and removal from NABI and/or NABI venues, and may jeopardize future eligibility and/or participation.”
- Any use of racial slurs will call for the player to be ejected from the tournament and possible ejection from competing in future NABI events and NABI Scholarship eligibility.
- New: In the case of a coach ejection from any NABI event, game and/or gym, the team can continue to participate with the assistant coach listed on the roster. If no assistant coach is listed on the roster, the whole team will be ejected.
- Coaches who are ejected will be ejected from the remainder of the tournament and NABI facilities.
- Coaches who are ejected are ineligible to coach any future NABI teams.
FAQ’S
Free Agency is the opportunity to fill your roster if you do not have (10) players on your team and for single players wanting to hop on a team and experience NABI! All players must abide by Player Eligibility rules.
If you are a coach looking for player(s) or a player looking to jump on a team for NABI 2026, please look out for our Instagram and Facebook posts to connect with each other.
We will be posting Free Agency opportunities on the 20th of every month leading to up to July 10th, so you can fill your teams before rosters are due!
NABI will be giving Championship Teams a Team Fee and Travel Reimbursement! $500 per player and coach, not to exceed $6,000 per team.
By applying and signing the online application, you agree to the above NABI tournament rules and regulations, and the eligibility and responsibilities outlined in the registration process of the official NABI Nation website. Any rule that is violated will result in a forfeit of game and possible ejection from the tournament and not allowed to participate in future NABI tournaments. NABI has the right to eject any player, coach, or team from the tournament for unacceptable behavior. NABI staff have the right to conduct proof of eligibility at any time during the tournament.
PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE CALLING OR EMAILING WITH ANY QUESTIONS.
Questions? Please email Vincent at [email protected]
+1 (480) 446-7052
P.O. Box 25606
Phoenix, AZ
85002