The Jr. NBA League was created for 11-13 year olds (Year 7 and Year 8) boys and girls in secondary schools to participate in basketball and represent one of the 30 NBA teams. The League is organised and operated by Basketball England in partnership with the NBA.
The league's objective is to leverage the excitement of the NBA to inspire more children to participate in basketball through a fun and positive experience with the sport. The league also aims to promote NBA values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, attitude, respect and healthy living through league games and other activities and events.
From being the first Jr. NBA league globally, 22 leagues now span all regions in England, including opportunities for boys and girls to play in leagues at years 7 and 8 in the East of England, East Midlands, North-West, North East, Yorkshire, London, South East, South West and the West Midlands. There are also dedicated Girls leagues for years 7 and 8 in the North West and London.
For the 2021-22 season there were 630 schools and over 10,000 children involved - making it the largest Jr. NBA league in the world!
Within each league, schools are drafted to one of the 30 NBA teams and split into six localised divisions across East and West Conferences - just like the NBA!
Each school plays eight regular season games in four triangular fixtures against the schools within their division. At the end of the regular season, the top eight schools in each conference proceed to the playoffs for two knockout rounds, with the final four schools in each league playing in the Jr. NBA Finals to be crowned the league Champions and take home Championship Rings.
There is no entry fee for taking part and each school receives a Jr. NBA Basketball England kit of their NBA team.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the Jr. NBA 2022-23 season is now open!
To submit your EOI and see the list of 22 leagues available for the coming season, please click the button above.
There is a short form to complete where we ask that all EOIs are made within the same submission. Please only submit an EOI for leagues you 100% intend on joining, should your submission be successful.
Check out the official 21-22 Draft video:
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