NBA AND WNBA LAUNCH NATIONAL YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE NETWORK TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND RECREATIONAL BASKETBALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY
– ‘Jr. NBA leagues to be announced in 11 markets in November 2022 before expanding nationally; The program aims to reach nearly half a million boys and girls a year by 2027 –
–Las Vegas Aces, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards among NBA and WNBA teams participating in program launch–
NEW YORK, July 14, 2022 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced the launch of Jr. NBA Leagues, a nationwide network of basketball leagues for young boys and girls ages 6-14. . The program will begin with leagues in the following 11 markets in the United States in November 2022 before expanding nationally with the goal of reaching nearly half a million participants per year by 2027: Sacramento, California; Washington D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans, Louisiana; Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Neb. ; Las Vegas, Nevada; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, Washington.
The Jr. NBA Leagues will focus on giving young people of all socio-economic, racial and gender backgrounds access to best-in-class recreational basketball, which is more important than ever following the disruption of access to sports. for young people and the decline in community sports. suppliers caused by the pandemic.
RCX Sports, a Jr. NBA Partner since 2018 and a market leader in youth sports experiences, will serve as the program’s official operating partner. All members of the Jr. NBA leagues – which will include a combination of community organizations, schools and independent operators – will receive a robust suite of resources, including training opportunities and basketball programs designed to improve league effectiveness, gameplay and on the field and development of players and coaches off the field.
Participants in the Jr. NBA Leagues will represent NBA and WNBA teams in their home markets and in all leagues by competing in official team-branded uniforms. NBA Jr. leagues in NBA or WNBA markets, including Las Vegas (Aces), New Orleans (Pelicans), Philadelphia (76ers) Sacramento (Kings), San Antonio (Spurs), Seattle (Storm) and Washington (Wizards) and Mystics), will offer unique benefits and include exclusive experiences for young players and parents to promote the game of basketball and build excitement around local teams.
Building on the Jr. NBA’s commitment to providing broad access to sport and breaking down barriers to participation, the Jr. NBA will partner with SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators), a professional association which serves more than 200,000 medical professionals and physical education professionals nationwide, to provide 40 Title I schools nationwide with Jr. basketball development programming, resources, and programs. NBA to host Jr. NBA after-school leagues and improve how the game is taught and played in physical education classes. Additionally, high school students will have the opportunity to enroll in a Jr. NBA Umpire Development Program to learn the skills needed to become an umpire and understand career opportunities in umpiring.
“The youth basketball ecosystem has experienced unique challenges over the past two years, and we are committed to meeting those challenges with programs like Jr. NBA Leagues, which is the basketball initiative of largest base we’ve ever launched in the United States,” said NBA senior vice president, head of youth basketball development David Krichavsky. “We look forward to utilizing the resources and expertise of the NBA, WNBA and our teams to support recreational and community basketball programs for young people at a time when they need it most, while enhancing the gaming experience for hundreds of thousands of boys and girls.”
“RCX Sports is committed to creating best-in-class experiences for all young athletes, regardless of race, gender or socio-economic background,” said RCX Sports CEO Izell Reese. “We are proud to be working with the NBA on another youth program that will provide access and resources to young basketball players across the country.”
More information about the Jr. NBA Leagues is available at JrNBALeagues.com. To learn more about the Jr. NBA, visit jr.nba.com or follow the Jr. NBA on Facebook (Jr. NBA), Instagram (@jrnba), YouTube (Jr. NBA) and Twitter (@jrnba).
About the Junior NBA
The Jr. NBA is the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls that teaches the fundamental skills and core values of the game: teamwork, respect, determination and community. The Jr. NBA is focused on growing and improving the grassroots youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents, and offers a free program covering all levels of the game that includes 48 workout plans and over 250 instructional videos featuring the NBA. and WNBA players. During the 2019-20 season, the NBA and its teams reached 14.5 million young people worldwide through in-person events and clinics, before transitioning to virtual programming and basketball development events online youth game that has generated over 210 million views from young players and fans in 118 countries. For more information, visit www.JrNBA.com or download the Jr. NBA app.
About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization whose mission is to inspire and connect people around the world through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programs available in 215 countries and territories around the world. more than 50 languages, and products for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries. NBA Digital assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers worldwide across all league, team and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league tackles important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and causes related to health.
About the WNBA
The WNBA, which kicked off its 26th season on May 6, 2022, is a bold and progressive basketball league that represents the power of women. With 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, in-game fan experience, television and digital broadcasts, digital and social content, and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture. which surrounds it.
In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports in general – with a focus on increasing player compensation, enhanced player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the professional female athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported by the league’s partnership platform, WNBA Changemakers, with AT&T, the WNBA’s brand partner and premier Changemaker, along with fellow premier Changemakers Deloitte and NIKE, Inc. and later additions Google and US Bank. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with a mission to be a driving force for needed change and to continue conversations about race and voting rights, between other important societal issues.
About RCX
RCX Sports is the premier youth sports experiences company, organizing and operating leagues, camps, combines, tournaments and events. RCX works with professional leagues, national governing bodies, sports-focused businesses and brands to reimagine youth sports experiences. RCX produces events with world-class partners including the NFL, Jr. NBA, MLB, NHL, NAIA, Rivals.com and the 2022 World Games. RCX is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of sports improving the sport experience for young people and creating opportunities for all athletes to play. We believe that sport has the power to transform lives and that every athlete should have the opportunity to experience the value of sport. For more information, visit http://www.rcxsports.com.
