WMBA Named #1 in Basketball Manitoba Top 50 Impact Moments
From one vision to #1 in Basketball Manitoba history. 
Before the teams, the packed gyms and generations of players, there was an idea.
Mike Ruta believed young people in Winnipeg deserved the chance to play basketball, grow and be part of a community. That belief led him to found the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association.
It began with the first conversations, plans, gyms, teams and players. Then the WMBA grew, welcoming more athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and families, year after year.
What started as one person’s vision became a lasting part of life in Winnipeg: a place where young players made their first baskets, teammates became friends, coaches became mentors and families made memories together.
Today, that remarkable journey has earned an extraordinary honour: the WMBA has been named the #1 event in Basketball Manitoba’s history as part of its Top 50 Countdown. 
It’s a recognition of how far the association has come, and of everyone who helped it grow from its beginnings into a community shared by generations.
To Mike Ruta, thank you for starting it.
To every player, coach, official, volunteer and family who carried the vision forward, thank you for helping build the legacy.
And to every young player who has stepped onto a WMBA court: you’re part of this story.
From one person’s vision to generations of basketball memories.
WMBA #1 in Basketball Manitoba history.
Basketball Manitoba has reached the culmination of its 50th anniversary Top 50 Impact Moments project, revealing the final ten selections and the number one Impact Moment in Manitoba Basketball History.
The Top 10 were unveiled on the evening of Saturday, September 26, 2026, as part of the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg.
The final reveal completes a five-part countdown produced and voiced by Joey Slattery, following earlier releases of #50-41, #40-31, #30-21 and #20-11, which can be found below.
The Top 10 reflect some of the most significant achievements, breakthroughs, dynasties, international accomplishments and community developments from the past five decades.
#1 — Creation and Growth of the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association — 1997 to Present
Founded by Mike Ruta in 1997, the Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association brought community basketball together on a city-wide scale and created accessible playing opportunities for thousands of children and youth.
Since its creation, more than 30,000 players have suited up in the WMBA, supported by more than 5,000 coaches and referees who have contributed to the league and, in many cases, begun their own long-term involvement in basketball through the organization.
The WMBA also helped extend the game into younger age groups, neighbourhood clubs and outdoor court development, including the first WMBA outdoor court in Garden City in 2006.
More than simply growing a league, the WMBA helped grow basketball throughout the community.
Source: https://www.basketballmanitoba.ca/2026/09/basketball-manitoba-50th-anniversary.html
Thank you Basketball Manitoba for the incredible honour of being #1 on your list of impact moments!
