The 2007 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team recently experienced NBA All-Star Weekend first-hand. Five boys and five girls from Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA member leagues in the United States and Canada traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada to serve as ambassadors of the program.

Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team members attended a welcome reception dinner with special guest speaker, Detroit Shock Head coach and Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Advisory council member Bill Laimbeer, on Friday afternoon. Following the reception, National Team members attended a meet & greet and also had their photo taken with NBA Commissioner David Stern. Later that evening, the team attended the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at the Thomas & Mack Center.

On Saturday morning, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team had a chance to visit with NBA Legend/NBA Cares Community Ambassador Bob Lanier and WNBA Cares Ambassador Jennifer Azzi. Bob and Jennifer talked to the team about the Pledging to be a S.T.A.R (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Positive Attitude & Respect), value of participation and the importance of maintaining a healthy and safe lifestyle.

Following breakfast, the team attended NBA Jam Session and participated in a special basketball workout/clinic with Phoenix Suns/Western Conference All-Stars head coach, Mike D’Antoni. During the opening ceremonies of NBA All-Star Saturday Night, the National Team was introduced to a sold-out crowd at Thomas & Mack center and had the opportunity to High-Five their way through the NBA Players tunnel including players such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.

The team hit the ground running on Sunday morning with an early tip-off on Jam Session Center Court versus the Las Vegas Select All-Stars from Las Vegas Parks & Recreation, coached by Minnesota Lynx’s Shona Thorburn and Detroit Shock’s Katie Smith . The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team, coached by NBA Legends Bill Walton & Allan Houston and WNBA Legend/WNBA Cares Community Ambassador Jennifer Azzi, narrowly defeated the Las Vegas All-Stars 39-34 in the final seconds of a very close match up.

Following the National Team’s victory, they headed over to the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Activity Court at Jam Session to compete in the skills challenge obstacle course and participate in the Special Olympics basketball clinic with Houston Rockets superstar, Yao Ming and WNBA Star Ruth Riley.

On Sunday evening, the National Team attended the 56th NBA All-Star Game at the Thomas & Mack Center. “This is a great way to reward such a special group of young student-athletes for their hard work in school and in their communities,” said Nadine Glinski, Sr. Director of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA. “We are proud of the way they have represented the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA this weekend in Las Vegas.”