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NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2007 – Sixteen top Atlanta Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA teams will compete in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Gatorade Championship of Atlanta for ages 13 and under, at Marcus Jewish Community Center (5342 Tilly Mill Road Dunwoody, GA 30338) on Sat., Dec. 1. The Hawks A-Town Dancers, as well as Harry the Hawk will be onsite during the day providing giveaways for fans.

In what will be an exciting and competitive atmosphere, the 8-Boys and 8-Girls Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA member league teams will get a chance to compete against one another in a double-elimination tournament. First-round games in the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions tip off at 9 a.m. and will conclude with the Boys’ and Girls’ Gatorade Championships at 3 p.m. Admission to the tournament site is free and open to the public.

“The Gatorade Championship Series gives Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA league’s another opportunity to connect with NBA teams and provides an exciting, competitive atmosphere for the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA’s finest players, ” said Nadine Glinski, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Senior Director.

In both the Boys’ and Girls’ Divisions, first-round winners will play in a single-elimination Champions Bracket until a champion is crowned. Teams losing in first-round play will compete in the consolation bracket, guaranteeing that each team plays at least two games. The tournament field is selected by a committee of Gatorade and Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA representatives from nominations from member leagues in the area.

The following Atlanta-area teams will compete:

Boys’ Division Teams
Alpharetta Parks & Rec.
Boys & Girls Club of Hall County
Boys & Girls Club Metro Atlanta
Corpus Christi Youth Basketball
DeKalb Youth Basketball
Fulton County Parks & Rec.
Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club

Girls’ Division Teams
Alpharetta Parks & Rec.
Boys & Girls Club of Hall County
Boys & Girls Club Metro Atlanta
Corpus Christi Youth Basketball
DeKalb Youth Basketball
Fulton County Parks & Rec. (2)

Click here to view winners and a full recap of the tourney!

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 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).