Fayetteville has a long held tradition of basketball. Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and Fayetteville Technical Community College all boast their own teams, and high schools across the city have come together for various tournaments throughout the years.
Adding their voice to this mix, Fayetteville Liberty is hoping to bring even more basketball excitement to Fayettevillians.
"Fayetteville is a basketball town with a strong sports culture, yet many players feel they need to leave to pursue professional opportunities. We are here to change that narrative by providing a credible and sustainable program that offers local and international talent a legitimate pathway to professional basketball," said Robert L. Edwards Jr., Team Market Owner of the Fayetteville Liberty Basketball Pro Development Team.
Edwards is a veteran who served 17 years in the Army. Six of those years was here in Fayetteville.
He and his team officially formed Fayetteville Liberty on Dec. 12, 2024. The name was chosen to symbolize strength, resilience and community unity.
The team's first big event will be coming up on March 8, a combine held at the TJ Robinson Life Center in Hope Mills.
"The purpose of the combine is to identify and develop the best basketball talent for the Fayetteville Liberty while also giving exposure to players looking for professional opportunities," said Edwards. "We are inviting coaches, skill developers, and potential partners to evaluate talent. While the combine is primarily for building our roster, it is also an opportunity for players to showcase their skills to other teams and organizations."
The cost to enter the combine is $150 and includes a free combine jersey, a professional headshot on the Fayetteville Liberty backdrop and assessments by pro development coaches and skills testing agencies.
Registration is open for high school seniors, college level athletes and adult community league players. Doors will open at 8 a.m. for the event.
"Players from all over the world are invited, but our primary focus for this initial combine is on Fayetteville and surrounding areas. After the selection process, players can expect to participate in several training camps leading up to our flagship camp, where we will finalize our 10-12 player roster," said Edwards. "We want players to demonstrate not just their basketball ability but also their work ethic, attitude, and leadership qualities. This is an opportunity for serious athletes who want to take their careers to the next level."
The team behind Fayetteville Liberty will be working hard throughout 2025 to set themselves up for success in their inaugural season in 2026.
"Since 2025 is our campaign year, we are using this time to create collaborative opportunities, corporate partnerships, and sponsorships. The combine allows us to scout talent locally and internationally, ensuring we bring in the best possible players while also reflecting the character and values
of Fayetteville."
Edwards stressed that Fayetteville Liberty should feel like a local team.
"We want Fayetteville Liberty to look like its city—built by and for the community. Our goal is to give local players an opportunity to pursue professional basketball without feeling the need to leave the city to do so," he said.
Fayetteville Liberty is part of The Basketball League, a professional basketball association. The league has 38 teams as of 2024, and Fayetteville Liberty is joining the ranks, hopefully filled with talent from Fayetteville itself.
While Edwards and his team of coaches will be scouting out players for the roster, they will also be looking at building a Fayetteville Liberty Development Team, a sort of junior varsity version of the team.
"This will provide juniors and seniors in high school, as well as younger college athletes, with a structured training and development environment," he said. "This model operates much like an AAU team, ensuring that players who aren’t yet ready to make a professional leap still have a place to develop their skills within our system."
Registration is still open for the combine, although spots are limited. To register, visit https://www.faylibertync.com/combine
"Our goal is to make Fayetteville Liberty truly a team built for the community—a developmental asset that provides options and pathways for athletes at all stages of their careers," Edwards said.