NEW YORK, May 31, 2001 -- The NBA and WNBA have created the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA presented by Gatorade and Nike, a national support system for recreational youth basketball leagues across the country, it was announced today by NBA Commissioner David Stern. The program, which is supported by an all-star Advisory Council as well as four of the country's leading national youth organizations, features a one-of-a-kind integrated youth basketball curriculum that will connect hundreds of thousands of players, parents and coaches.

The Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA, together with Gatorade and Nike, will provide support programs at no cost to qualified recreational youth basketball leagues serving boys and girls from 5 to14 years of age. Leagues nationwide will be given the opportunity to apply for membership for the fall/winter season.

Allen

Thompson

Five key members of the NBA and WNBA family will provide their support and expertise to the effort by serving on the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Advisory Council. The group, consisting of players Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks and Tina Thompson of the Houston Comets, Orlando Magic head coach Doc Rivers, Indiana Fever head coach Nell Fortner and NBA Legend Bill Walton, will offer instrumental guidance to the player, coach and parent training efforts.

"The popularity of basketball is soaring worldwide," said Stern. "The NBA and the WNBA are joining with the game's leading youth organizations to encourage boys and girls to play basketball, which is the most popular and fastest growing sport among kids in the United States."

"This NBA/WNBA initiative is superbly designed and will impact the core of grass roots youth basketball, which is exactly where we leaders in sport have both an obligation to support and a desire to reach" said Tom Fox, V.P. of Sports Marketing for The Gatorade Company. "We're excited and proud to be part of this program because it ensures that Gatorade -- the sports drink of both leagues -- will be there to fuel the young players touched by Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA, as well as help the leagues continue to fuel excitement for, and participation in, the great game of basketball."

"Nike has always been dedicated to the growth and development of the global game of basketball," said Ralph Greene, Global Director, Nike Basketball. "As a longtime partner of the NBA and WNBA, Nike is excited to be a part of the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA initiative and support a system that will give boys and girls an opportunity to learn the game, play the game and enjoy the game."

Basketball ranks as the most popular sport in the U.S. and is the second most popular sport in the world. Among boys and girls, it is number one participation team sport in the U.S., with 21.3 million youth participants, according to the latest national survey sponsored by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.

Among boys and girls, basketball is the number one participation team sport in the U.S.

The program will be supported by four of the country's leading national youth organizations. Joining in the mission to enhance the youth basketball experience will be the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA's National Youth Basketball Partnership, featuring the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National Recreation and Park Association, National Association of Police Athletic Leagues and the Jewish Community Centers of North America. The four partners will provide critical input into the development of the new initiative, as well as a communication link to local leagues. Though the partners will work closely with the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA, membership is open to all qualified leagues, regardless of national affiliation.

The centerpiece of the program is a unique information and training guide curriculum, designed and written by Rick Wolff, a nationally-recognized expert in the field of youth sports. Wolff will create separate informational guides for players, parents and coaches, covering both on- and off-the court topics. Subjects include advice for coaches from the first practice to the final game, ideas for parents on creating a positive and fun environment for their children and tips for players ranging from skills to sportsmanship.

In addition, a Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA section of NBA.com and WNBA.com will be introduced and feature information about the program and useful tips available to members and non-members alike. One of the many functions will be a league finder tool, enabling users to identify local leagues in their area that are members of the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA, as well as junior league programs that are affiliated with a local NBA or WNBA team in their market.

Applications for membership will be accepted only from league administrators. Applications for 2002-2003 membership will be available over the summer.