NEW YORK, May 12, 2004 – The NBA and WNBA announced today, Lyndon Goff of Tulsa, OK was selected as one of the top youth league coaches chosen from the nearly 50,000 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA coaches in the United States and Canada.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year program recognizes member coaches who stand out, both on and off the court, and represent the hard work and dedication that make youth sports a rewarding developmental experience for players, parents, officials and other coaches. Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches of the Year were chosen from member leagues in NBA and WNBA markets.

“Of the thousands of worthy candidates, these men and women stand out for their passion, commitment and excellence in representing the goals of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA,” said Kathy Behrens Vice President NBA Community Relations. “These coaches have instilled values in their players that will take them far beyond the basketball court.”

Goff has been coaching for the Salvation Army for fifteen years. He works anywhere from two to three jobs and still finds time to coach the kids. Goff coaches four teams in different leagues with various skills. He never turns down a kid that wants to play and not only does he teach his players the fundamentals of the game, he teaches them the fundamentals for success in every day life.

Earlier this season, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA member league directors around the world had the opportunity to nominate up to three coaches (male or female) from their league as a 2003-2004 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Selection Committee evaluated the coaches on eight categories including preparation, teaching and ethics. The committee also examined the league directors’ evaluation forms and letters from parents, players or other coaches associated with the nominee.

"I was very impressed by the men and women who were nominated for the 2003-04 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches of the Year,” said Lenny Wilkens, New York Knicks Head Coach. “These coaches are creating the building blocks for success on and off the court, for all kids who take part in Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA.”

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, presented by Gatorade and Nike, is a support organization for recreational youth basketball leagues designed to heighten awareness and enhance the youth basketball participation experience for parents, players, coaches and officials. Approximately 1,000 youth basketball leagues and about 50,000 teams (for boys and girls, ages 5-14 years-old) are 2003-04 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA members. More than 50,000 coaches, 25,000 officials and 500,000 players and their parents will receive program support this year.

The cornerstone of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is an instructional program provided free to all players, parents, coaches and officials from member leagues. The program components have been created by a distinguished group of experts, including nationally-recognized youth sports expert Rick Wolff, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), nutritionist, Dr. Jackie Berning, and the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Advisory Council, which is made up of Ray Allen (Seattle Supersonics), Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Danny Crawford (NBA Official), Lisa Mattingly (WNBA Official), Doc Rivers (ABC analyst), Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) and Bill Walton (ABC/ESPN analyst).