The Jr. NBA League was created for 11-13 year old (Year 7 and Year 8) boys and girls to play basketball and represent one of the 30 NBA teams. The league is organised and operated by Basketball England in partnership with the NBA.
Our objective is to leverage the excitement of the NBA to inspire more children to get involved 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, 24 leagues now span all regions in England, including opportunities 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 London.
For the 2022/23 season there were 720 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 in 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.
Each school will receive a Jr. NBA Basketball England kit of their NBA team and it's completely free to enter.
the 2023-24 Jr. NBA Draft
Click the button below to find out which NBA franchise your school is representing this year
Gap
The Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 2023/24 Jr. NBA season is now closed but here's some information on our entry process for next season.
The entry form will ask you to confirm your school details, staff information, and which leagues you wish to enter - it couldn't be simpler! Places will be in high demand so remember to only submit an EOI for leagues that you 100% intend on joining (if successful).
The EOI window is typically open July - September.
Completion of the EOI does not guarantee a place within the competition. Your submission will be considered against geographic logic and available capacity as we create six localised divisions of five schools within each league.
