From clinics, to games, to a group of young All-Stars representing youth basketball players everywhere, the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA dotted the Philadelphia cityscape as much as Shaq, Kobe and Allen Iverson did during NBA All-Star 2002.

On Monday, February 4th a series of simultaneous Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Basketball and Books Clinics took place at four different Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA member league sites around Philadelphia kicking off NBA All-Star 2002 in the Community. The host sites were: Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia, PA, Camden County Boys and Girls Club in Camden, NJ, Wilmington Boys and Girls Club in Wilmington, DE and Torresdale Boys Club in Philadelphia, PA.

Each clinic featured a reading and interactive discussion of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Player’s Guide, a basketball clinic featuring NBA retired and WNBA players such as Bob Lanier, World B. Free and Michelle Marciniak, a closing discussion and an autograph session for the clinic participants. At the Torresdale Boys Club, Nike presented a refurbished basketball court in conjunction with the event and Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street even stopped by to partake in the festivities.

At the Pennsylvania Convention Center, as part of Jam Session, the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Activity Court was full of many different activities throughout the weekend. This interactive authentic looking basketball court featured youth basketball games played by local Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA members. From the PAL (Police Athletic League) of Philadelphia there was a game between “Fairhill” and “West Oak Lane” and a game between “Logan” and “S.E.A.S.” From the SNBL (Sixers Neighborhood Basketball League) there was a dramatic game between “Chew Playground” and “Hank Gathers All-Stars.” From the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) of Philadelphia there was an intense game between “Our Lady of Mt. Carmel” and “St. Nicolas of Tolentine.” And finally, from La Liga Del Barrio, the “Honores” faced off against the “Safety’s.” Each of these member league games started with a ceremonial tip-off featuring NBA or WNBA players such as Tina Thompson, Oscar Torres and Tamecka Dixon.

In addition, various instructional clinics took place on the Activity Court led by NBA and WNBA personalities such as George “Ice Man” Gervin, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Tamika Catchings and Chamique Holdsclaw. On top of all of this, there were exciting Sports Magic and Dunk Team performances for all young players, their parents and coaches attending Jam Session to enjoy.

On Friday night, February 8th, ten Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National All-Stars (five boys and five girls, ages 11 and 12) arrived in Philadelphia to attend NBA All-Star 2002 as guests of the NBA. Regional and national selection committees consisting of independent youth sports administrators and basketball professionals chose this representation of the 350,000 member Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA league network. Excellence on the court, strong team leadership and exemplary sportsmanship along with a strong academic and civic standing served as the criteria in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National All-Star selection process.

Shortly after their arrival in Philadelphia, the National All-Stars attended a Welcome Reception where they were introduced and given many gifts from Gatorade, Nike and the NBA. Each all-star received Jr. NBA or Jr. WNBA All-Star uniforms, a reversible uniform from their hometown team, shooting shirts with snap away sweats, and an NBA All-Star sweatshirt & hat. They also received a NBA All-Star pen & pin and a NBA All-Star Weekend program. Each parent received a bag with a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA collared shirt and a NBA All-Star fleece.

On Saturday, February 9th, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National All-Stars attended the Read to Achieve Celebration concert featuring Britney Spears, and then took part in a scrimmage on the Activity Court at Jam Session. The team then took a historic trolley tour around the city where they saw Independence Hall, and climbed the “Rocky” steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The National All-Stars then got to compete in an exhibition game at half time of the Rookie Challenge while being guest-coached by Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Advisory Council Members Ray Allen and Tina Thompson. Tina’s All-Stars defeated Ray’s All-Stars by only a basket, but in the end all of the All-Stars knew they were true winners. This group of players got to stick around for All-Star Saturday Night and prior to the 3-point shootout, each of the kids was introduced on the court in front of a capacity crowd.

On the final day of NBA All-Star 2002, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National All-Stars had a few hours of free time at Jam Session. There they participated in a Skills Clinic led by Tina Thompson on the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Activity Court and received their trophies from Tina, Tom Fox of Gatorade and Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Advisory Council Member Bill Walton at their special awards ceremony. The team then went back to the First Union Center and watched the 51st All-Star Game before packing up and heading home for school on Monday.

All in all, for the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA, NBA All-Star 2002 was as important for young basketball players as the NBA All-Star game was for the pros themselves.