January 30th, 2018NBA AND CANADA BASKETBALL TO HOST REGIONAL TOURNAMENT FOR THE JR. NBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

NBA AND CANADA BASKETBALL TO HOST REGIONAL TOURNAMENT FOR THE JR. NBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

– Top Provincial U14 Boys and Girls Teams Will Compete in the Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional for Opportunity to Compete on Global Stage –

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2018 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Canada Basketball today announced the Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional, a series of qualifying competitions for the upcoming Jr. NBA World Championship on Aug. 7-12, 2018 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla.

The Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional will determine the boys and girls teams ages 14 and under that will represent Canada at the Jr. NBA World Championship. Players must be 13 or 14 years old as of December 31, 2018.

The Jr. NBA World Championship, a first-of-its kind global youth basketball tournament for the top teams ages 14 and under from around the world, will have boys and girls divisions, each comprised of 16 regional teams. Two brackets separated into eight U.S. and eight international teams will compete in a round-robin competition followed by single-elimination tournaments. Winners of the U.S. and international brackets will play in the championship game on Aug. 12.

“As Canada continues to play a pivotal role in developing elite basketball talent, the NBA is thrilled to partner with Canada Basketball on this premier grassroots competition,” said Dan MacKenzie, Vice President & Managing Director, NBA Canada. “The inaugural Jr. NBA World Championship presents a unique opportunity for Canada’s top boys and girls teams to showcase their talent on a global stage.”

“We’re excited to partner with the NBA on the Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional,” said Michele O’Keefe, President & CEO, Canada Basketball. “Club-based national championships are yet another important step in the alignment and development of youth basketball in our country and will complement both our 15U and 17U provincial national championships.”

The Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional will tip off with provincial games to determine the nine advancing teams that will then compete in a single elimination game against a neighboring province for a chance to advance to the Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional Finals. The competitions are as follows:

Canada East Regional*: Quebec vs. New Brunswick April 28, 2018 - Fredericton
Canada Atlantic Regional: NS vs. NL vs. PEI May 4 – 6, 2018 – Halifax
Canada West Regional: British Columbia vs. Alberta June 2, 2018 - Edmonton
Canada Prairies Regional: Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba June 2, 2018 - Winnipeg

* Host region, Ontario, receives a bye

The four winning teams and Ontario will compete at the Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional Finals on June 15-17, 2018, in St. Catharines, ON at Brock University and the Meridian Centre to determine the top boys and girls teams.

All coaches participating in the Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional will be required to be trained in Canada Basketball’s National Coaching Certification Program. The qualification process is in line with Long Term Athlete Development principles with implemented minimum playing time. Games will follow FIBA rules adjusted to eight minute quarters due to the age and stage of development. Youth at the Jr. NBA World Championship will not only compete on the court but will also receive off-court life skills education and participate in NBA Cares community service projects.

Travel expenses for teams in the Jr. NBA World Championship Canada Regional and the Jr. NBA World Championship will be covered by the NBA. Please contact provincial basketball federations for more information regarding qualifying competitions. More information about the Jr. NBA World Championship can be found at jrnba.com/worldchampionship.

About the NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League, set to launch in May 2018. The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories in 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 125,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2017-18 season featured 108 international players from a record 42 countries and territories. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.4 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

About the Jr. NBA

The Jr. NBA presented by Under Armour is the league’s youth basketball participation program that provides a fun environment for kids to learn the fundamentals and values of the game. The Jr. NBA is focused on helping grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents, and offers a free curriculum covering all levels of the game that includes 48 practice plans and more than 250 instructional videos featuring NBA and WNBA players. The Jr. NBA World Championship, a first-of-its kind global youth basketball tournament for the top 14U boys and girls teams from around the world, will take place in August 2018.

In partnership with USA Basketball, the NBA developed the first set of youth basketball guidelines in October 2016, with an emphasis on player health and wellness. Through a network of affiliated youth basketball organizations and programs, the Jr. NBA program has reached more than five million youth ages 6-14 in the U.S. and Canada since launching its expanded efforts in October 2015. The Jr. NBA partnership network is comprised of youth basketball programs of all NBA, WNBA and NBA G League teams as well as elementary and middle schools, military bases and longstanding community partners. For more information and to register for the Jr. NBA, visit www.JrNBA.ca or download the Jr. NBA app.

About Canada Basketball

Canada Basketball is the National Sporting Organization for the sport of Basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball is respected worldwide and is recognized by the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Government of Canada as the sole governing body of the sport of amateur basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball, a not-for-profit organization, represents all basketball interests, provides leadership, coordination and direction in all areas of the sport of basketball.

Contact:

NBA: Ashton Lawrence, 416.682.2060, ashlawrence@nba.com

Canada Basketball: Matthew Walker, 289.244.9993, mwalker@basketball.ca