NBA Expands Youth Basketball Efforts

The Jr. NBA presented by Under Armour and the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) youth basketball participation program for children ages 6-14 is expanding efforts with the inaugural Jr. NBA Week (Oct. 19-26).

The goal of the Jr. NBA is to teach fundamental skills and core values of basketball at a young age to help grow and improve the overall youth basketball experience.

“The life skills and lessons learned through sport are fundamental in developing young athletes to value teamwork, passion, accountability and responsibility,” says Kevin Plank, founder and CEO, Under Armour. “We are so proud to work with our great partners at the NBA to bring the Jr. NBA experience to life and grow the game of basketball for the athletes of the next generation and beyond.”

All 30 NBA teams will participate in Jr. NBA Week by hosting youth basketball events in their surrounding areas, while the NBA and Under Armour will host events in Baltimore, New York, Lexington, Ky., Phoenix and San Antonio. More than 100 events are scheduled for the week.

“This weeklong celebration of our game’s youngest participants is the perfect way to tip off our expanded Jr. NBA efforts,” says NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “And I look forward to working with the Jr. NBA Leadership Council to support these programs together with our teams, our partners and the youth basketball community.”

The Jr. NBA plans to reach 5 million youth in the United States and Canada during the next two years, and has partnered with numerous educational and community institutions to make it possible.

For more information, visit nba.com. — J.B.