Lakeland Royals clinch a spot in 2024 UBA Playoffs

Royals will bring their show to Atlanta for the 2k24 UBA Playoff Classic. 

ATLANTA – The Lakeland Royals have officially qualified for the UBA postseason and will be the No. 2 seed, August 2-5, at Evolve Sports Complex in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Royals are a former FBA club that is currently 7-3 in Conference play.  In 2022 they were crowned FBA National Champions before branching out to other National Leagues.  The team was founded in 2020 by Amy Rhodes of Polk Country, Florida.  She dominated the Florida market in the two recorded seasons with a stellar 19-1 record.

"We are looking forward to competing this summer in the UBA Playoffs", said Rhodes.  Our goals are to market the Royal brand along with presenting our players with great opportunities. This will also be a great tune up event for our upcoming season in the American Basketball Association.  

This year's edition of the Lakeland Royals features key returnees such as Joe Stubbs and Tim Williams along with some exciting first-time additions. Former All-Conference guard Isaiah Moody from Southeastern University will be joining the Royals in Atlanta.  

For the third-straight year, the Royals will be led by Dee Howard, current Royals Head coach/director of player development. Howard played at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in his home state of Texas where he was a first-team All-Conference player and an NAIA All-American. He was also a National Christian College Athletic Conference All-Conference Player of the Year. From there he played professionally in Europe with the Viva 49ers of Germany.  

"We're going to Atlanta to win," Howard said. "I love to see young men grow and develop.  This is all about maturing and getting better this season.   

The winner of the Georgia Regional will play the winner of the Texas Regional in the quarterfinals on Aug. 2 or 3 (official game date, time and location TBA).