Jalaa SC, previously known as Shabibeh, dominated the league from 1956 until 1978. Then another team from Aleppo, Al-Ittihad SC, took all the titles until 1993.[2] Later on, Damascus clubs Al Wahda and Al-Jaish SC won some titles sporadically.[3] In 2021, for the first time in SBL history, the league was won by a club from the city of Homs, Al-Karamah SC.[4]
The SBL is played by the international FIBArules. Since 2020–21 the SBL season has a new format. In the regular season, all teams play each other first home and away.[6]
Based on the order in the first round, the top four teams play the playoff system.[7] The semi-final consists of a series played in the twice-to-beat format of the best team with the worst and the second with the third of four.[7]
The final is played in the format of two advancing semi-finalists in a series of three winning matches in the best of five format.[8]
Promotion and relegation
The two worst teams relegate at the end of the season and the two best teams in Division 2 advance to the league.[6]
