Basketball was introduced in Argentina in 1912 by the "Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes" (YMCA), with the first Federation created in 1921 to organise the competitions.

The Campeonato Argentino de Clubes was the top clubs competition of Argentina until 1984 when the Liga Nacional was created as the request of León Najnudel.

The Argentine representative was also the first to defeat a United States national team with a full squad of NBA players.

[1] Canadian Professor Paul Phillip was in charge to teach basketball at YMCA headquarters in Paseo Colón Avenue, Buenos Aires.

[4] In successive years, other clubs such as Ñaró, Estudiantes (LP), River Plate, Gimnasia y Esgrima, Universitario and Racing) registered their teams to the Federation.

Other provincial sides such as Santa Fe (1934–1935) and Santiago del Estero (1937, with Rafael Lledó as notable player) would win their first national titles also.

Some of the most notable players during those years were Atilio Fruet, José De Lizaso and Alberto Cabrera, who played for "Bahiense" teams Olimpo and Estudiantes respectively.

Before the league was established, the regular tournament was Campeonato Argentino de Clubes where teams from all the provinces took part.

Ferro Carril Oeste was the first LNB champion after defeating Atenas de Córdoba in 3 games.

The next season (1986), Ferro Carril Oeste won its second consecutive title, beating Olimpo de Bahía Blanca in 5 games (3–1 on aggregate).

[15] The Federal encompassed a wide array of teams from all over the country, being organized by the Argentine Basketball Confederation.

Both tournaments feature promotions and relegations and are organized by the "Asociación Argentina de Clubes" (Argentine Clubs Association).