Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, the league’s global youth basketball program for boys and girls, teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game – teamwork, respect, determination and community – at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. the Jr. NBA collectively reaches 50,000 youth in 28 countries across Europe and the Middle East.
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Week includes events designed to build awareness and excitement for the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and can include a variety of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programming. The week can be held in conjunction with other regional events, such as NBA Global Games and Basketball Without Borders.
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Week in Paris engaged youth from various schools and clubs across the city. The week consisted of ten Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Clinics featuring notable appearances by French, former NBA players Tony Parker, Ronny Turiaf, and Mickael Pietrus. Other programming included two Jr. NBA Coaches Clinics, two Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Referees Clinics, a Special Olympics Clinic, and two Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Skills Challenges.
Her Time To Play is an initiative dedicated to championing change on behalf of girls and women and providing them with ways to connect, collaborate, and actively engage with the game of basketball and one another.
As part of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Week in Paris, two Her Time To Play Clinics featured French Women’s National Team player Diandra Tchatchouang and 2x WNBA All-Star, Sabrina Ionescu. Players received a pair of Sabrina’s new Nike signature shoe, the Sabrina 1’s.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA European Finals Tournament is an annual youth basketball event that showcases the top U-15 boys and top U-15 girls teams in Europe.
During the event, participants engage in a variety of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programs and activities including Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Clinics, three-point contests, community outreach initiatives, and life and character development. NBA European Ambassadors, including former NBA and WNBA players attend the tournament to support and mentor the participants.
Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Coaches and Referees clinics are a specialized training sessions that are led by NBA coaches and referees. These clinics offer an in-depth look at coaching techniques, team development, and officiating strategies for participants of various levels, ranging from grassroots to elite coaching and refereeing. During the clinics, current and former NBA coaches and referees introduce coaching concepts and officiating techniques, often utilizing a demonstration team on the court to illustrate practical applications. Each clinic includes a 10-minute Q&A session to address specific questions.
Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Referees Clinics and Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Coaches Clinics – Online programs feature live, virtual sessions with some of the most internationally recognized referees and coaches from the NBA and WNBA. These programs are accessible throughout the year for referees and coaches at all levels from around the globe. Sessions typically last for an hour.
