WHAT IS A JR. NBA/JR. WNBA REFEREES CLINIC?
A Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Referees Clinic is a one to four- hour professional development session to enhance amateur and experienced referees' skills and knowledge. NBA International Basketball Operations staff collaborate with NBA Referee Operations to organize and lead these clinics. These clinics are facilitated by Referee Operations Development Personnel who are retired NBA and G League referees.
The primary objective of a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Referees Clinic is to expand the on and off-court development of international officials and instructors aligning with the principles, methods and teachings of the NBA.
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Referees Clinics launched in 2023, providing education to more than 1K referees and table officials in Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, Latin America, India, Europe, and Middle East. In 2024, the program has reached 2,227 referees on-ground (China, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, and UAE) and virtually.
JR. NBA/JR. WNBA WEEK IN CAYMAN ISLANDS
Her Time to play in qatar
The first-ever Her Time To Play Referees Clinic was held in Doha, Qatar and led by NBA Referee Operations Cynthia Do of the NBA Referee Development Program. This program focused on referee education for local female university students and referees. In addition to the referee education component, Cynthia Do, Cassandra Thompson (NBA Referee Operations Director), and Alaa Soliman (FIBA-Certified Referee) shared their journey and experiences in refereeing on a panel that was moderated by Dawn Smyth (NBA – International Basketball Operations).
INTERNATIONAL OFFICIATING INSTRUCTION
The International Officiating Instruction program is an invite-only training held during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, focusing on the development of international referees both on and off the court. This program aligns with NBA principles, methods, and teachings and aims to grow and strengthen the global officiating community.
In 2024, 11 referees from 11 countries were selected to participate, engaging in daily training sessions, game observation and analysis, and learning directly from current NBA referees.
JR. NBA/JR. WNBA YOUTH REFEREE SHADOW PROGRAM
In 2024, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Youth Referee Shadow Program launched in South Africa, pairing 12 youth interested in officiating with 12 mentors from two local Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues. Former NBA and WNBA referee Don Hudson visited to lead a training session for both mentors and mentees. Following this, mentees shadowed their mentors, officiating league games together over a five-week period, gaining hands-on experience in officiating.