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Share on FacebookThe Denver Nuggets will also host a Jam Session outside of the Pepsi Center, featuring the NBA Jam Van. In addition to the lay-up attempt, everyone in attendance has the opportunity to win prizes including Nuggets merchandise, NBA All-Star Jam Session tickets and the chance to judge the Celebrity Slam Dunk at NBA All-Star 2005. All Jr. NBA /Jr. WNBA participants will receive a free ticket to the Denver Nuggets / Indiana Pacers pre-season game on Sunday, October 24.
“The Worlds Longest Lay-Up line is a great way for us to tip-off the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA season and get everyone excited about Denver hosting NBA All-Star 2005,” said Kathy Behrens, Senior Vice President NBA Community Relations. “The growth of this program has been tremendous and this season we have increased membership by 100,000 boys and girls and their parents.”
In all, more than 1,885,000 players, coaches, parents and officials from across the United States, Canada and abroad, will participate and receive benefits in 1,200 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA member leagues this season.
Also this year, the Jr. NBA/Jr.WNBA will connect to the NBA’s Read to Achieve initiative as current and former NBA and WNBA will participate in Basketball and Books Clinics at local Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues. Basketball and Books Clinics mix the fun of reading with excitement of running basketball drills with NBA and WNBA players. NBA and WNBA teams will also continue to host Coaches Clinics for Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA member leagues featuring NBA and WNBA players, coaches and legends.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA, entering its fourth season, provides the following support programs to promote success both on- and off-the-court:
All-Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team: Ten players (five boys and five girls) from around the world are selected to represent the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA at NBA All-Star 2005 in Denver on February 18-20, where they will play an exhibition game against local All-Stars, meet with NBA and WNBA All-Stars and have scheduled appearances at NBA All-Star Jam Session.
Gatorade Championship Series of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA: The Gatorade Championship Series is an end-of-season tournament that provides 11- and 12-year-old members the opportunity to compete against the very best in their home cities.
Coaches of the Year: The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches 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.
Leagues of the Year: Top leagues are honored with special achievement awards for their excellence in providing a positive experience for its members.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA continues to provide recreational youth basketball leagues with access to a variety of valuable membership programs, all at no cost, including an Instructional Curriculum for players, parents, coaches and officials. The Recognition Programs such as the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Team, Coach-of-the-Year and Teamwork awards acknowledge individual and team excellence. Coaches and Player Clinics as well as VIP Appearances features NBA and WNBA Players and legends.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is endorsed by the Youth Basketball Partnership, made up of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National Recreation and Parks Association, National Police Athletic Leagues, Jewish Community Centers of North America and Basketball Canada. These organizations also support the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA by serving as a communication link to local member leagues.
The cornerstone of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA are the instructional guidebooks 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), Suzie McConnell Serio (head coach of the Minnesota Lynx), Doc Rivers (head coach of the Boston Celtics), Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) and Bill Walton (Hall-of-Famer and ABC/ESPN analyst).
