Starting its 23rd year, the Spurs Youth Basketball League (SYBL), presented by Pizza Hut and Valero, offers young people the opportunity to play basketball and improve their athletic skills while learning teamwork, cooperation, and discipline in a positive and safe environment. The SYBL targets youth, ages 5-16, primarily from lower income neighborhoods. Silver & Black Give Back (formerly the Spurs Foundation) financially supports this initiative and has raised over $2 million dollars in support in its history. Over 250,000 children and coaches have benefited from the SYBL over the past two decades, with nearly 20,000 participants annually.
The SYBL (formerly called the Spurs Drug-Free League) was founded in 1991 by Spurs coach, Gregg Popovich, and KSN president/founder, Frank Martin as a way of promoting recreational youth basketball in economically disadvantaged areas of San Antonio. In February 1992 the league received a Point of Light from President Bush for its innovative programming and anti-drug efforts. The following year, the SYBL was awarded a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to expand the program to other NBA cities. In the mid 1990’s, the SYBL began an expansion to other South Texas communities.
The Spurs Youth Basketball League strives to…
Support local and South Texas organizations’ basketball programs.
Provide a safe and positive environment for all participants.
Ensure that all coaches receive proper training that includes a segment on encouraging their players to have respect for all and to make positive choices.
Provide unique and one-of-a-kind experiences, such as special clinics hosted by Spurs players and coaches.
The “3-Point Play!” Program is designed to encourage kids to actively participate in a healthy lifestyle and have a positive effect on others. As a coach in the Spurs Youth
Basketball League, you can nominate one of your kids who completes the “3-Point Play!” and send them to a SPURS HOME GAME!!! Make a difference today!!!
The SYBL pledge sums up the values that the league endorses and is a message that all participants, including coaches and players, must commit to upon registering for the SYBL. Before each game, all coaches and players recite the pledge on-court as a reminder to their commitment toward a common goal.
Say NO to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
Play fair and be honest
Use good sense and make positive choices
Respect others and myself
Stay in school and do my homework
To be an affiliate of the SYBL, associations/agencies must commit to certain league requirements. Click below to view more information and to sign up your organization.
For more information about signing up your organization for the Spurs Youth Basketball League, please contact the Kids Sports Network’s SYBL Coordinator at (210) 654-4707 or at http://ksnusa.org/sybl.htm.
We're located in San Antonio area and throughout South Texas. Click here for the complete list.