Professional basketball is making a comeback in the Coastal Empire.
The Savannah Buccaneers, formerly known as the Coastal Georgia Buccaneers, are based in Savannah State’s Tiger Arena and will play in The Basketball League (TBL) for the 2025 season.
Buccaneers owner Preston Mack hopes that the city embraces the team.
“Savannah has a deep love for sports, and basketball has been growing in popularity here,” Mack said. “I saw an opportunity to bring professional basketball to a city that doesn't currently have a team at this level, giving fans and aspiring athletes something to rally behind.”
“By bringing a professional team here, we’re creating opportunities for both players and the local economy. It’s a win-win for Savannah, and we’re excited to be part of this city’s sports scene.”
The team also plans to engage the community through appearances at youth camps, clinics, and nonprofit organizations.
The Savannah Buccaneers will host their season opener at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 13th at Savannah State’s Tiger Arena. Tickets are on sale now on the team’s website at https://www.savbuccaneers.com/
Tryouts
While Basketball League teams traditionally carry a roster of individuals that have graduated from high school, things could change in the future for the Savannah Buccaneers to allow younger athletes to join the team.
“The Savannah Buccaneers are a professional team, so players must be at least 18 years old and out of high school to be eligible,” Mack said. “However, in the very near future we could be an option for top high school prospects who are choosing to not play college ball and want to make the immediate jump to the NBA. But most of our players have college experience, and some have already played professionally overseas or in other leagues.
“We also look for local talent who may not have had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the next level. If a player has the ability, work ethic, and professionalism to compete at this level, we want to give them a shot.”
The Bucs will be holding a tryout period for those athletes that still aspire to play basketball, but may not have gotten a chance after graduating high school.
“The team typically carries a roster of 10-12 players for the season,” Mack said. “We hold tryouts to evaluate talent and give players a chance to earn a roster spot.
“We’ve already held some tryouts and have more coming up in the next few months. The final roster is selected through a mix of tryouts, player signings, and training camp evaluations.”
For more information on tryouts, visit https://www.savbuccaneers.com/tryouts.
