The SEB BBL is about to start its third season. Does it feel any different now that the organization has passed its creation stage and is in the third year of existence?

Yes, each year was different in own way. First year our season lasted only half of regular basketball season. Last year we had a full season, but the number of the participating teams was decreased. This year is different yet again. We have less teams and different competition format.

Mr. Kehris noted that competition format might look confusing at a first glance. But it allows the league to establish a base for more competitive games. Each team has an equal opportunity to make it to Top-6. And since the first part of the regular season is only two-month long, teams must start collecting their wins right from the beginning. Meaning we could expect few surprises and teams that first get into a good playing shape might come out as the biggest winners. Nonetheless, the second part of the regular season promises to be equally interesting. Top division will include highlight battles of six league's best teams. Second division teams will also have a great goal to compete for - the SEB BBL Playoffs. Two best teams will make into the postseason. And, most importantly, all teams will start division plays with zero wins and zero losses. This is particularly intriguing for the second division teams. Eight teams of equal strength will battle for the last two SEB BBL Playoffs spots.

Also, the Head of the Board noted that this year's changes involved league staff. Due to an increased workload and league's ambition to produce better product, the number of staff members was increased.

Further development plans of the league include the integration into the Union of European Leagues of Basketball (ULEB). How do you visualize such cooperation?

First of all, I am very proud that eight SEB BBL teams are playing in various European club basketball competitions. Right now discussions about European basketball structure between the ULEB and FIBA are underway. So our actions will depend upon the agreements of these organizations. Nevertheless our closer cooperation with both ULEB and FIBA would be beneficial to teams. But such decisions should and will be made in agreement will all three countries - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Zalgiris Kaunas won the first SEB BBL championship, Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius - the second. Can we expect to have the third different winner of the league this year?

Not yet. Even though teams have improved significantly: they increased their budgets, they added more talented players, the distance between them and the two Lithuanian powerhouses is still too broad at this moment. However, I think some teams could seriously challenge them during the regular season and maybe force them to lose a game or two.

What is your opinion about an individual strength of players in the league this year? Could someone beat Tanoka Beard's all-time league record of 40 points in one game?

I think the player-talent that exists in the league is high and it is also rising. In addition to the premiere players that participate in the Euroleague competition and represent their national teams in World and European Championships, the SEB BBL also has new emerging players. Market that the SEB BBL covers is bigger than the markets of three separate countries and it attracts better and more talented players. I think the league has and will have more stars that will display their playing abilities.