2026 NABI

Description

The Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI) is an annual basketball tournament that brings together Native American high school basketball players and teams from various tribes and reservations across the United States, Canada and as far away as New Zealand. At any given year NABI hosts over 2400 athletes, organizes over 480+ basketball games, and represents over 180+ tribal nations. The NABI tournament was founded in 2003 with the aim of engaging Native American youth through the love of the game of basketball and to create a platform to increase the number of Native American student athletes pursuing high education goals, and playing in collegiate sports.

• Tournament
• High School teams
• Boys & Girls: 12th-9th
• Ability: Competitive
• $1,050.00-$1,100.00 entry fee
• Exposure Certified

General Information

Registration is now FULL

WAITING LIST NOW OPEN

REGISTER BELOW TO BE INCLUDED ON OUR WAIT LIST


Auto Registration: November 1-15, 2025
● Auto-entry skip the selection process for the first 64 teams who apply and submit a $500 non-refundable deposit by November 15th.
● Teams must meet all NABI eligibility requirements and have no previous year infractions/notifications.
● Remaining balance must be received by the deadline date February 1, 2026, to be accepted. 

TEAM BENEFITS
● (4) Games minimum 
● Teams will receive NABI Nation Custom Team Uniforms (Jersey and Shorts)
   o NABI Player Credentials (1x per Player)
   o Credentials are non-transferable
● NEW: NABI Coach(s) will receive NABI Nation Custom Short Sleeve Dri-Fit Shirt
   o NABI Coach Credentials (1x per Coach)
   o Credentials are non-transferable
● Access into all NABI games, including Championship games
● Access into all NABI special events:
   o NABI College & Career Fair
   o NABI Team Meet & Greet Party 
   o NABI Educational Youth Summit
● NABI College Scholarship Fund: Graduating seniors are eligible to apply.

CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM BENEFITS
● NEW: Team Fee and Travel Reimbursement 
    o $500 per player and coach, not to exceed $6,000 per team
● Championship games (Location TBA) broadcasted LIVE on AZFamily Sports
● NABI Championship Trophy
   o 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

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
● Players must be Native American or Indigenous to the Country they are representing.
    o 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
     o To apply for a Certificate of Indian Blood, see the following link:
https://www.bia.gov/online-form/certificate-degree-indian-or-alaska-native-blood-cdib-pdf
     o 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.
     o NABI no longer accepts Birth Certificates and Tribal Documents from relatives to prove descendancy.
     o 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.
● Participants must be enrolled in high school with the exception of (1) graduating 8th grader per team.
     o NEW: GED students are no-longer eligible. Players must be enrolled in high school to be eligible..
     o Graduating seniors for the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible.
     o (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.
     o Participants who turn 20 years old before or on July 18, 2026 are NOT ELIGIBLE.
     o 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. play.
     o Must provide a copy of school transcript or report card from the 2025-2026 academic year.
     o Must provide photo ID and copy of birth certificate.
● Participants must complete and sign a Participate Waiver & Release Form, available on Exposure Events.
     o A Parent or Legal Guardian must sign, if under the age of 18.
     o NEW: Coaches are prohibited to sign waivers for under-age players unless he/she is a legal guardian or parent. Legal Guardian documentation will be required.
     o 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!

COACH ELIGIBILITY
● Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches must agree to a background check.
     o 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, 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.

PLAYER/COACH RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES
● Adhere to all deadlines.
     o 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. 
     o 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. 
     o If a player/coach loses their NABI badge, a replacement will cost $30. 
     o Damaged badges can be exchanged for free. Must return the damaged badge to NABI Staff in order to exchange. 
     o 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.
     o For lodging information, please visit the NABI Nation website (available after team selection). 
● Must adhere to the NABI Code of Conduct:
     o “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.” 
     o 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.
     o 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.