Edinburgh is expected to be awarded a place in the British Basketball League next year after an American-based consortium passed the evaluation stage of its bid to receive a franchise.

It is understood a St Louis-based group, led by businessman Donald Sampley, has won the backing of the BBL's board after submitting proposals for a new club to be based at Meadowbank Arena.

It means professional basketball would return to the city for the first time since the Rocks left for Glasgow in 2002 with a final sign-off likely to take place following the league's application deadline of May 24.

"They have made an application," confirmed the BBL chief executive Andy Webb. "We're now engaged in a process to take things forward."

East London Royals, who had been due to enter the league in September, have pulled out due to financial reasons.