NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League team contacts must submit a nomination form, headshot, and bio for their local winner(s) online by April 4, 2025 to be considered for the national awards. A resume and/or other supporting materials such as photos/videos may also be provided via email. The more detailed the nomination, the better chance the coach has to advance to the next round.
Note: This website is for use by NBA/WNBA/G League team contacts only to submit their local winner nomination(s) to the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA. Do not share publicly or use it to collect nominations for your local winner(s).
JR. NBA/Jr. WNBA COACH OF THE YEAR CATEGORIES
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year program will celebrate two categories of coaches: community and scholastic. This initiative will recognize community and scholastic coaches across the youth basketball landscape who are committed to teaching the game we love at the grassroots level (14 and under).
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Community Coach of the Year
This award goes to a coach that exhibits a lasting impact on their community as a whole; coach can work with non-profit and community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, other non-profit youth-based organizations, or club/travel-based programs.
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Scholastic Coach of the Year
This award goes to a school coach, which could include a P.E. teacher, a teacher that coaches the school-based team, or a part-time employee that coaches the school team.
PROGRAM RULES
Who is Eligible
- Basketball coach who coaches kids ages 14 and under
- Coach must fit into the specifications of the category they are being nominated for (i.e., community or scholastic)
- Coaches must be affiliated with or nominated by an NBA, WNBA, or G League team
- Coach can only be nominated in one category; if a coach meets the specifications of more than one category, the team must pick the category they are nominating the coach for and focus the content of the nomination on the coach’s work within that category
- If a coach has been honored as a team’s local winner in the past, he or she will not be eligible for consideration
Local Selection Process
Nomination Deadline: April 4, 2025
Local NBA, WNBA, and G League teams determine their own selection process. Each participating team selects a local winner that is then automatically entered into the national selection process once the form is completed. All local Coach of the Year winners will receive a co-branded trophy from the NBA, Positive Coaching Alliance prizes, and recognition on JrNBA.com.
National Selection Process
April – July 2025
The top 5 finalists per category (10 total) will be selected by the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year selection committee from the nominations of NBA, WNBA, and G League local Coach of the Year winners by May 16, 2025.
Following the finalist selection, one winner per category will be determined based on the following: the Executive Voting Panel (50%), Public Social Media Fan Voting (25%), and an Interview (25%). All 10 finalists will be awarded a $1,000 grant for their youth basketball organization, a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach gift bag / equipment donation, a free Positive Coaching Alliance zoom workshop for coach’s team/organization, and participation in public fan voting across @JrNBA social media handles. The National Coach of the Year winners will each be awarded an additional $2,000 grant for their youth basketball organization.
Criteria
Participating teams should consider the following criteria when selecting their local winner(s):
- Coach should show concern for the all-around development of each player and their team
- Coach should serve as a mentor for players both on and off the court, extending his/her role beyond wins/losses to teaching life lessons and developing healthy, confident young adults
- Coach focuses on the mental well-being of his/her athletes as much as the physical
- Coach should promote healthy relationships by showing respect for players, coaches, parents, fans, and referees
- Coach should motivate players with constructive criticism rather than fear or intimidation
- Coach goes above and beyond call of action to help his/her youth organization
- Coach has contributed to his/her community at large, outside the realm of basketball:
- Participation in service organizations within the community
- Serve as a role model for young athletes he/she has coached