Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA International programs continue to ascend around the world, bringing the game of basketball to life in ways that create lasting impact for youth, coaches, referees, and communities.
Through Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues, Clinics, Tournaments, Coaches Academies, Camps, and other initiatives, participants not only engage in basketball development – they also develop essential skills extending beyond the court. Each program reflects the values of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA: promoting growth, building confidence, and developing leadership to assist in helping youth to thrive on and off the court. In collaboration with local partners, federations, and community leaders, NBA International and Regional Basketball Operations tailor each initiative to reflect the unique needs of the programs in communities.
This mid-year snapshot highlights stories across Africa, Asia-Pacific, China, Canada, India, Europe and the Middle East, and Latin America demonstrating the collective momentum in driving the NBA’s mission forward – to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.
AFRICA
The Africa Basketball Operations team continues to grow the game across the continent, deepening the presence of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programs.
In Egypt, youth and coaches engaged in a wide range of programs including a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA 3v3 Tournament, two Jr. NBA Leagues in West Cairo, including a league combine and league draft, and a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches Clinic.
Online initiatives also played a key role, especially the Africa Women’s Coaching Program, featuring notable WNBA figures like Cheryl Reeve, Ebony Hoffman, Rebekkah Brunson, Noelle Quinn, and Nate Tibbetts. The initiative provided valuable training opportunities to over 1.3K female coaches and coaches of female athletes, of various levels, from the Africa region. Coaches from 46 African countries attended the sessions.
Additionally, a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Referees Clinic – Online was facilitated by NBA Referee Operations Greg Dandridge and George Toliver with over 240 referees from across Africa in attendance.
A major highlight has been the growth of Her Time To Play, designed to increase opportunities for girls and women across the youth basketball landscape. In Nigeria, 58 girls participated in a Her Time To Play Day. Thirty girls were invited to Her Time To Play Elite Camp in South Africa.
Furthermore, the team delivered 13 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Clinics in Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria with more than 16K participants.
ASIA-PACIFIC
In collaboration with Inspiring Hong Kong, NBA Asia Basketball Operations executed a series of NBA Cares Clinics. These clinics provided an opportunity for over 200 participants, U10 – U18, to develop their basketball skills.
CHINA
Across China, Jr. NBA programs soared by engaging over 5K players through Jr. NBA Leagues in Shanghai, Sichuan, Guangdong, Liaoning, and Jilin. All Jr. NBA Leagues will conclude their season with a Jr. NBA League Finals. Leagues in three more cities will launch in the second half of 2025.
This summer, 20 of the top boys and girls from China’s Jr. NBA League programs will be selected from a Jr. NBA Selection Camp to attend a Jr. NBA International Experience during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
The Jr. NBA EaStar Programs remains a key driver of this growth, delivering consistent programming for thousands of kids in 13 cities across China.
Canada
Following the successful launch of the country’s first-ever Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA League last season, NBA Canada is preparing to tip off its second season of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA League in Winnipeg. The league will consist of a boys and a girls league.
Since October 2024, Canada’s Jr. NBA Youth basketball program engaged over 2.5K youth participants and through 66 clubs.
Additionally, NBA Referee Operations Bennett Salvatore facilitated a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Referees Clinic-Online with 174 participants.
EUROPE
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programming, across Europe and the Middle East (EME) continues to scale, offering more opportunities for youth, coaches, referees to engage with basketball. The Europe and Middle East Basketball Operations team hosted over 160 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues across 17 countries, marking a continued expansion of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA footprint in Europe and the Middle East.
From the larger programs in England (24 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues) and Italy (14 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA School Leagues and 57 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Club Leagues) to the developing leagues in Germany (15) and Lebanon (10), the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues continue to grow across the region.
The EME Basketball Operations team led a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Week in France during the 2025 NBA Paris Game. As a result of the week, over 8K youth, coaches, and referees participated in 88 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Clinics, four Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches Clinics, four Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA 3v3 Tournaments (the national winners were recognized on the Paris Game Court at halftime), 16 Her Time To Play Clinics, and a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Workshop.
As part of the week, NBA Legends Boris Diaw and Ian Mahinmi attended several activities and interacted with the youth.
Her Time To Play engaged 1K girls through clinics that integrated the Belonging in Basketball Curriculum and a positive affirmations poster. Indiana Pacers President Mel Raines and San Antonio Spurs Director of Community Sports Yolanda Rodgers were panelist in the Her Time To Play Leadership panel. Former WNBA assistant coach, Cinnamon Lister delivered a Her Time To Play Elite Clinic for 20 local girls.
MIDDLE EAST
During NBA Abu Dhabi Games Week, over 7K youth participated in a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Week. The Europe and Middle East Basketball Operations team hosted a variety of programs including a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Select Camp for the top 36 players from the region and a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Referees Clinic, led by Monty McCutchen (NBA Referee Operations), focusing on the fundamental principles of NBA officiating.
In addition, a Her Time To Play Day welcomed local girls aged 11-14 where NBA Commissioner Adam Silver delivered opening remarks of a 45-minute leadership panel featuring WNBA legend, Sylvia Fowles; Boston Celtics VP of Team Operations and Organizational Growth, Allison Feaster; and Content Creator, Jamaad Fiin. Following the panel, the girls participated in an on-court skill development session.
Over 150 local coaches attended two Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches Clinics, where Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla and staff covered offensive and defensive concepts, and Denver Nuggets assistant coaches John Beckett and Charles Klask focused on player development, with Coach Bill Bayno (NBA Assistant Coach) demonstrating transition and half-court offensive drills.
Furthermore, the Europe Middle East team hosted a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA World Basketball Day Q&A Online session, a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches Clinic (UAE), a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA ADK Camp (UAE), two Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Lebanon League Drafts and Leagues, and two Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Israel Leagues.
INDIA
This year, the Jr. NBA program in India has continued to make significant strides in involving youth in basketball. The India Basketball Operations team successfully hosted a series of events engaging thousands of participants across the country.
The team hosted Jr. NBA 3v3 Tournaments in six cities, with the top boys and girls teams from each city competing in a league phase in each city. The program culminated in a Jr. NBA League Tournament in Delhi to crown a champion.
Additionally, Jr. NBA Referees Clinics were held during the Finals for beginner and advanced referees, with both being streamed live on Zoom for referees across the country.
These events have contributed to growing the game of basketball at the youth development level.
LATIN AMERICA
The LatAm Basketball Operations team delivered a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Week in Cayman Islands. The week consisted of a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA 3v3 Tournament, a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge and 3-Point contest, an NBA Cares Clinic, and a Her Time To Play Clinic.
30 boys’ teams and 30 girls’ teams were announced during the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA League Draft in Uruguay. In March, the Jr. NBA Montevideo League Finals took center stage. The appearance of NBA and Mexican legend Horacio Llamas. elevated the excitement of the finals and served as a source of inspiration to the young athletes.
In Brazil, youth participated in a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Clinic.
Over the year, the team has trained teachers and coaches across Brazil and Mexico through the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches Academy E-learning Module. Over 80K PE teachers and coaches have registered and took the course, provided by the LatAm Basketball Operations team, to equip the PE teachers with tools to integrate the game of basketball into their classes.
In Brazil, youth participated in a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Clinic.