Jr. NBA Conference powered by Under Armour
New York, New York
Welcome
Join Us for the 2023 Jr. NBA Conference powered by Under Armour
New York City: May 3, 2023
Registration for this event is now closed. We look forward to seeing you in NYC!
The Jr. NBA Conference powered by Under Armour is back in person for the first time since 2019! Experience unparalleled networking, thought leadership, and professional development with members of the global youth basketball community.
The event features fireside chats with NBA and WNBA legends, keynote presentations from innovative thinkers, and panel conversations with subject matter experts in youth basketball, development, and empowerment.
We look forward to welcoming coaches, administrators, event operators, referees, parents, and other stakeholders across all levels of the game who are focused on creating positive change in youth and grassroots basketball.
The Jr. NBA Conference powered by Under Armour reinforces the NBA’s commitment to connecting the global youth basketball community and to developing holistic and sustainable programming that positively impacts young people both on and off the court.
*All speakers and sessions subject to change
Agenda
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast with fellow members of the youth basketball community.
9:15 AM – 9:20 AM
Opening Remarks From Kathy Behrens
Welcome to the 2023 Jr. NBA Conference powered by Under Armour! Hear opening remarks from NBA Social Responsibility & Player Programs President Kathy Behrens.
9:20 AM – 9:40 AM
Fireside Chat with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
Speakers
- Cassidy Hubbarth, ESPN Host/Reporter
- Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner
9:40 AM – 10:10 AM
General Session: How Basketball Can Save the World
Speakers
- David Hollander, NYU Professor + Author, How Basketball Can Save the World
10:10 AM – 10:40 AM
General Session: Player Perspectives on the Youth Basketball Experience
Speakers
- Sheryl Swoopes, WNBA Champion and Hall of Famer
- Richard Hamilton, NBA Champion
- Kendall Dudley, Jr. NBA Court of Leaders
- Bryson Tucker, Jr. NBA Court of Leaders
10:40 AM – 10:50 AM
Mindfulness Moment
Enjoy a Mindfulness Moment with Coach D. Williams, Get Fit Fly Right
10:50 AM – 11:45 AM
General Session: Building Players and Teams with Competitive Discipline
Talent is common. Discipline is rare. The combination is elite. Building competitive discipline is the best way to prepare players for their path in sports and in life. But first we need to detach discipline from compliance, obedience, and punishment, and see it for what it truly is: training to set standards, make choices, and pursue a worthy purpose.
Speakers
- Brian Kight
- Dirk Nowitzki, NBA Champion and Hall of Famer
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Coaches Huddle
Speakers
- Mike Brey, Notre Dame Men’s Basketball
- Johnnie Harris, Head Coach, Auburn University Women’s Basketball
- Candice Walker, St. John’s University Women’s Basketball
- Jay Hernandez, Assistant Coach, Charlotte Hornets
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Enjoy lunch with members of the youth basketball community and vote for the Jr. NBA Program of the Year powered by Under Armour!
1:45 PM – 5:10 PM
Breakout Sessions
The afternoon will consistent of several breakout sessions. Please see below for the full list of options.
1:45 PM – 4:45 PM
Breakout Session: Jr. NBA Live
Jr. NBA Live – Forum
Informal conversations on a variety of topics related to elite player development:
- State of youth basketball and elite player development
- Parenting and coaching elite athletes
- Authentic mentorship and guidance
- Impact of content and player rankings on player development and well-being
- Name, Image & Likeness (NIL)
Speakers
- Hosted by Andre Barrett (NBA G League Ignite) & Dain Ervin (Phoenix Suns)
- Jr. NBA Court of Leaders parents (Jackie Paul, Dr. Beverly Donovan)
- NBA Legends (Joakim Noah, Muggsy Bogues, Jason Richardson)
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Breakout Session #1: Understanding The Impact of Climate Change on Youth Sports Accessibility
Dr. Jessica Murfree researches the effects of climate change on sport while exploring environmental injustices faced by historically marginalized groups in sports and recreation. Her research has found inconsistencies and disparities in policies to protect high school athletes from extreme heat, which has been featured in Sports Illustrated and Forbes. Join her for a discussion on the impacts of climate change on youth sports and resources you can take back to your community to help make an impact.
Speakers
- Dr. Jessica Murfree, Visiting Assistant Professor, Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas A&M
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Breakout Session #1: Building and scaling a profitable youth sports organization
Speakers
- Jeremy Goldberg, LeagueApps
- Izell Reese, RCX Sports
- Greg Kristof, Zero Gravity & 3 Step
- Elyse Graziano, The St. James
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
Breakout Session #1: Sustainable Solutions for Increasing Girls Basketball Participation at the High School Level
Speakers
- Ari Chambers, HighlightHER (moderator)
- Lindsey Atkinson, National Federation of State High School Associations
- Jadyn Donovan, Jr. NBA Court of Leaders
- Viva Kreis, Multi-Sport Student-Athlete; Team USA Handball
2:35 PM – 3:20 PM
Breakout Session #2: Using Basketball as a Bridge to Inclusion
Speakers
- Dr. Kendra Carr, Girls Leadership
- Sally Nnamani, PeacePlayers
- Isaac Cudjoe, Peace First
- Anthony Nicodemo, Greenburgh-North Castle UFSD
2:35 PM – 3:20 PM
Breakout Session #2: Helping Parents Positively Support their Child’s Youth Sports Journey
Speakers
- Marti Reed, Positive Coaching Alliance
- Simone Joye, Author, The Parent’s Section: Outside the Locker Room
- Leah Harmon, Jr. NBA Court of Leaders Member
- Qwashemma Harmon, Jr. NBA Court of Leaders Parent
2:35 PM – 3:20 PM
Breakout Session #2: Local Solutions for Expanding Access to Sports
Speakers
- Phaethon Bolton, National Basketball Association (moderator)
- Linda Flanagan, Author, Take Back The Game
- Ted Smith, New Heights
- Carter Lloyd, BLAX LAX
3:35 PM – 4:20 PM
Breakout Session #3: The Power of Shortform Content in Youth Sports
Speakers
- Ari Chambers, HighlightHER (moderator)
- Emma Wakely, Snap
- Josh Carroll, Twitter
- Courtney Frain, Meta
3:35 PM – 4:20 PM
Breakout Session #3: Understanding the importance of health equity in youth sports
Speakers
- Peter Meisel, National Basketball Association (moderator)
- Ben Schornack, Laureus USA
- Dr. Keshia Pollack Porter, Johns Hopkins
4:25 PM – 5:10 PM
Breakout Session #4: Recruiting, developing, and retaining officials at the youth level
Speakers
- Monty McCutchen, National Basketball Association
- Dana Pappas, National Federation of State High School Associations
- Kyle Armstrong, Ref Reps
- Brenda Hilton, Officially Human
4:25 PM – 5:10 PM
Keeping kids in the game by training all coaches
Representatives from Laureus USA, the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, and New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development will lead a session to describe how an innovative funder-trainer-government partnership impacted coaches in sport-based youth development across all 5 boroughs in NYC. Attendees will also engage in an activity to reflect on the context in which their own youth sport programming occurs and take back ideas for partnership and coach training support.
Speakers
- Peter Feldman, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA
- Lorena Muñoz, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development
- Emily Campos, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development
- Anthony Andino, The Center for Healing & Justice Through Sport
Speakers
Location
Above The Heights
2420 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY, United States
Contact
The staff of the Jr. NBA is happy to answer questions regarding the conference. Please email JrNBA@nba.com and a representative will be available to assist.
