NEW YORK , Feb. 1, 2007 – Five boys and five girls selected from more than 750,000 members, have been named to the 2006-07 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team and will be honored guests at the 56th NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, NV. The showcase event for the National Team will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18, when the squad takes on a team of local Las Vegas Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Stars on Center Court of NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino South Convention Center.

The 2006-07 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 exemplify good sportsmanship and leadership on the court, in the classroom and in their communities.

“NBA All-Star is a great showcase for the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA and reflects the best aspects of what the program encourages,” said Nadine Glinski, Jr. NBA Director. “We know this experience will be a memorable one and serve as an example to other young players what they can accomplish with hard work both on and off the court.”

As part of this unique weekend experience, the National Team will travel to Las Vegas on Friday, Feb. 16 to take part in a number of activities including an exhibition game against a local Las Vegas Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Star team where they will be coached by NBA Legend Bill Walton.

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. For the second consecutive year, the program is hosting members of the Jr. NBA China National Team who will also join in on the All-Star festivities.

Every 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. Forty six finalists were identified for the National Team by an independent national 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. Ten players were then chosen from the finalists.

2006-07 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team Rosters

Boys

Player Name	Age	Hometown	League
Brandon Abajelo	12	Las Vegas, NV	Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center
Scott Hill	12	Toronto, ON	Stay in School & Keep the Peace
Jorrion Wilson	12	Odessa, TX	Boys & Girls Club of Odessa
Zach Berman	12	Worcester, MA	Worcester Jewish Community Center
Maurice Kirby	12	Flagstaff, AZ	City of Flagstaff Youth Basketball League

Girls

Player Name	Age	Hometown	League
Mychal Johnson	11	Huntington, WV	Huntington YMCA
Tiffany Suarez	11	Miami, FL	One on One Basketball Academy
Kianna Holland	11	Seneca, SC	Seneca Recreation Department
Cierra Garrett	11	Richton Park, IL	Southwest Patriots Athletic Program
Jo-Ann Lira	12	Bryan, TX	Boys & Girls Club of Bryan, Texas

2007 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team All-Star Schedule
Friday, February 16
National Team arrives
3:00 p.m. – Welcome reception
5:00 p.m. – Attend T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam and meet & greet with David Stern

Saturday, February 17
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
5:00 p.m. – National Team and Jr. NBA China introduced at NBA All-Star Saturday Night

Sunday, February 18
9:00 a.m. – National Team vs. Las Vegas All-Stars on NBA All-Star Jam Session
10:00 a.m. – Jr. NBA China vs. Jr. NBA Las Vegas
12:00 p.m. – National Team and Jr. NBA China participate in a clinic with Special Olympians
5:00 p.m. – National Team attends 2007 NBA All-Star Game

As part of NBA Cares, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to develop a lifelong 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 sixth season, the league emphasizes fundamental skill development, S.T.A.R. qualities (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect) for players, parents, coaches and officials and the importance of practicing a healthy and safe lifestyle.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA provides 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 Ray Allen (Seattle SuperSonics), Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings), 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).

NBA All-Star 2007 will not only showcase the world’s greatest athletes playing the world’s greatest game, but will also celebrate the NBA’s tradition and commitment to community outreach with over 20 of NBA Cares events taking place throughout Las Vegas. The NBA Cares Community Caravan will feature a full schedule of events beginning on Feb. 12, 2007, including reading rallies, fitness clinics, Habitat for Humanity builds, a court refurbishment, and the unveiling of a Learn & Play NBA All-Star 2007 will not only showcase the world’s greatest athletes playing the world’s greatest game, but will also celebrate the NBA’s tradition and commitment to community outreach with over 20 of NBA Cares events taking place throughout Las Vegas. The NBA Cares Community Caravan will feature a full schedule of events beginning on Feb. 12, 2007, including reading rallies, fitness clinics, Habitat for Humanity builds, a court refurbishment, and the unveiling of a Learn & Play Center.