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2007-08 JR. NBA/JR. WNBA NATIONAL TEAM ANNOUNCED TODAY
-- Ten Children Chosen to Experience Unforgettable Weekend During NBA All-Star --
NEW YORK , Feb. 5, 2008 – Five boys and five girls were selected to represent the more than 830,000 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA members as the 2007-08 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team. The group will be honored guests at the 57th NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans, LA. The showcase event for the National Team will take place on Sunday, Feb. 17, when the squad takes on a team of local New Orleans Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Stars on Center Court of NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The 2007-08 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team presented by Gatorade and Nike recognizes male and female youth basketball players from member leagues throughout the country who are skilled basketball players, great teammates and who exemplify good sportsmanship and leadership on the court, in the classroom and in their communities. “The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team members were chosen for their outstanding achievement on the court, in the community and in the classroom,” said Nadine Glinski, Jr. NBA Senior Director. “As a reward for all of their hard work, the National Team will showcase their skills during NBA All-Star and take part in a memorable weekend in New Orleans.” As part of this unique weekend experience, the National Team will travel to New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 15 to take part in a number of activities including an exhibition game against a local New Orleans Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Star team where they will be coached by NBA Legend Bill Walton and WNBA players. The group will also take part in a breakfast hosted by NBA Legend Bob Lanier and be introduced during the NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities. For the third consecutive year, the program is hosting members of the Jr. NBA China National Team who will also join in on the All-Star festivities. Jr. NBA China launched in the fall of 2005 in 15 cities across China. Since then, more than 130,000 children and their parents have participated. Internationally, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA now has over 218,000 players, coaches, parents and officials participating from 65 leagues in nine countries and territories including China, Japan, England, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Marianas Islands. Each Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA league director across the country had the opportunity to nominate one boy and one girl, ages 11-12, in their program and fifty one finalists were identified for the National Team by an independent selection committee made up of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA officials, NBA and WNBA team representatives, co-presenting sponsors Nike and Gatorade and ESPN commentator and Basketball Hall-of-Famer, Bill Walton. 2008 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team All-Star Schedule Friday, February 15 National Team arrives 6:00 p.m. - Welcome Reception Saturday, February 16 9:00 a.m. - Breakfast with Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bob Lanier and WNBA Community Ambassador Jen Azzi 12:00 p.m. - National Team and Jr. NBA China joint workout 2:00 p.m. - National Team and Jr. NBA China participate in an NBA Cares clinic with Special Olympians 7:00 p.m. - National Team introduced at NBA All-Star Saturday Night Sunday, February 17 9:00 a.m. - National Team vs. New Orleans All-Stars on NBA All-Star Jam Session Center Court 10:00 a.m. - Jr. NBA China vs. Jr. NBA New Orleans All-Stars 7:00 p.m. - National Team attends 2008 NBA All-Star Game As part of NBA Cares, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a life-long passion for the game of basketball by providing a support structure that not only encourages participation, but also makes the game fun and rewarding to over two million players, coaches, officials and parents involved in the program globally. Entering its seventh season, the league emphasizes fundamental skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, making healthy nutrition choices and positive adult participation. Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programs, available at no cost, help youngsters create a bond with the game while learning what it takes to be successful away from the court. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA provides instructional materials to players, parents, coaches and officials created by a distinguished group of experts, including nationally-recognized youth sports expert Rick Wolff, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), and the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Advisory Council comprised of Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics), Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Jordan Farmar (Los Angeles Lakers), Bostjan Nochbar (New Jersey Nets), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Danny Crawford (NBA Official), Lisa Mattingly (WNBA Official), Bill Laimbeer (head coach of the Detroit Shock), Doc Rivers (head coach of the Boston Celtics), Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) and Bill Walton (Hall-of-Famer and ABC/ESPN analyst). 2007-08 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team Rosters Boys
Girls
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