To locate a program near you click here.
Can’t find a club in your area? Please contact your local Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program Ambassador and they will update you on future Jr. NBA Rookie Division Programs opening in your area; information can be found here.
Want to start your own Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program? Previous basketball coaching experience is not required, however enthusiasm and having fun are! Click here for more information
Our Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program has been developed for children 5 – 7 years old. The program uses lower nets, lighter balls, and a specific curriculum that involves fun and engaging games and drills for children in this specific age range.
We are currently in the early stages of developing a program for ages eight and up. Please sign up to receive updated information as we roll out this new program for older children.
While our Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program has been developed for children 5 – 7 years old, clubs that run Jr. NBA Rookie Division Programming are able to determine who can participate through their own registration process. Local club information can be found here.
Each Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program has a different start and end date based on the availability of local gym facilities, coaches and other factors.
The majority of programs begin in October while others will begin in winter/spring 2017. Currently we have 125 Jr. NBA Rookie Division Programs running across Canada (with more opening soon!) in all 10 provinces, in both French and English.
While the number of Jr. NBA Rookie Division Programs continues to grow across the country, we may not have a program established in your community yet.
Want to start your own Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program? It’s easier than you think! Previous basketball coaching experience is not required, though enthusiasm and having fun are! Click Here for more information.
To become a Jr. NBA coach, you must contact a club that offers the Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program. No basketball coaching experience is required. All coaches will be provided with the Official Jr. NBA Rookie Division Coach’s Guide that features teaching tip and drills throughout the 12-week program. All coaches enrolled in the Jr. NBA Program must be policed checked.
Participants will perform basketball drills and modified games on a lowered rim that are age-appropriate, simple and fun. Each session runs for 45 minutes, one day per week.
Jr. NBA Rookie Division curriculum is Canadian Sport 4 Life/Long Term Athlete Development compliant, aligned with Canada Basketball's Developmental Pathway and has been developed by NBA Basketball Operations and a team of experts in child development and physical literacy, and basketball fundamentals. The curriculum will take the children through series of drills and activities that will work on the following fundamentals: dribbling, passing, shooting, rebounding and playing defense. Throughout the program, participants are taught essential life skills that ultimately provide a powerful positive influence towards their own personal development such as having a positive attitude, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, respect, health and fitness.
Costs for our 12 week program vary by location due to gym facility fees, janitorial fees and other associated costs however fees for our program rank among the lowest costs for organized sports among youth. National average cost for Jr. NBA Rookie Division enrollment is $150 for 12 weeks of programming.
Every participant in the Jr. NBA Rookie Division receives:
- A colorful Spalding Rookie Gear basketball (appropriate for ages 5 – 7 years old)
- An NBA team branded t-shirt
- A completion certificate
- A Jr. NBA poster
Through a simple application process, KidSport provides grants, to families facing financial challenges, to assist with Jr. NBA Rookie Division Program registration fees. Support is available to qualifying families for children under 18. KidSport has chapters in 11 provinces and territories and in over 180 community chapters across the country. Please visit www.kidsport.ca to find the chapter in your area and to learn more about KidSport.
