By Barry Rubinstein

It isn't difficult to judge whether a child is inspired, interested or excited. All you have to do is see if they're smiling. And if the events unfolding on June 11 at the Ford Police Athletic League Center in Philadelphia were any indication, there was more than enough inspiration, interest and excitement to go around.

Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA tipped off in Philly: 28.8+ | ISDN+

Two PAL teams were on hand as the NBA and WNBA officially tipped off the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA programs, a national support system for recreational youth basketball leagues across the country. The initiative, presented by Gatorade and Nike, is intended to connect hundreds of thousands of players, parents and coaches through support programs at no cost to qualified recreational youth basketball leagues for the upcoming fall and winter basketball seasons.

Visiting the youngsters for a basketball clinic and discussion were Hall of Famer Bill Walton and former Philadelphia star World B. Free, who serves as the Sixers' Community Relations Representative. Walton is a member of the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA's all-star advisory council, which also includes Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks, Tina Thompson of the Houston Comets, Orlando Magic coach Doc Rivers and Indiana Fever coach Nell Fortner. Also represented are the PAL, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National Recreation and Park Association and JCC.

But the common denominator was easy to figure out by observing the gleaming smiles and wide-eyed children aged 9 to 11 from the Ford PAL and Pt. Breeze PAL.

"We learned to try your best," said Lamin Fulton, 8. "We learned not to worry about missing shots. We learned about dribbling, rebounding, shooting, practicing and playing.

"I learned that all the game's about is having fun, win or lose," said Eric Johnson, 10. "It's playing a game."

World B. Free runs the Jr. NBA recruits through a shooting drill. Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE Photos

Walton and Free led the youngsters in shooting and dribbling drills before sitting them down at center court and extolling the virtues of education, family, hard work and being a good member of a team, all the while stressing that the game's supposed to be fun. Afterward, the children scrimmaged against each other, coached by Walton and Free.

"This is going to be an inspirational, a motivational and an imaginative program," Walton said. "It's going to outline direction and the future for these very young players, their coaches and their parents. There's going to be video and text, and it's going to show players, parents and coaches the way to chase your dreams. It's going to be about how it's fun -- the joy of athletics and the celebration of life that is basketball, and how the players themselves can enjoy it the most and get the most out of it.

"This has been a tremendously inspirational moment for me, to see those big eyes, to see the dreams, the hope, the optimism, that chance, that sense of joy in their life. But it's also learning the valuable lessons of life that come from sports and learning how to create your own fun, learning how to deal with the adversity that's always going to be there, learning how to get joy and happiness from the success of others. It's something the NBA is fully behind so that all people can enjoy this great game."

Bill Walton teaches proper rebounding form to the youngsters. Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE Photos

Said Free, "We do 120 appearances a year with the Sixers and we do a summer hoops tour. So anytime there are kids involved, World B. Free wants to be involved in that, because I think it's positive. When you take time out with these kids and give them a chance to be coached, the respect you get is amazing."

Applications for membership in Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA will be accepted only from league administrators, beginning July 1 for the 2001-2002 fall/winter season. Administrators can request an application by calling 1-866-JRHOOPS or e-mailing jrhoops@nba.com.

"What we really want to do is make sure that everyone has a chance to learn the game and develop a love affair with the game," said Chris Weiller, NBA Senior Director, Events and Attractions. "If we can get more parents volunteering as coaches, we've succeeded. If we can get more kids playing the game because they can see it's a better experience, they're going to have more fun and we've succeeded. If the people helping them have a better understanding of the game, then we've succeeded. If we have parents who support constructively, then we've succeeded."

Not to mention the gaggle of grinning faces at the Ford PAL, which is the most positive sign of all.

Barry Rubinstein is a member of the NBA Editorial department.