Operated by Sport360, the 2024 Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League commenced in January, engaging over 1,300 young talents aged 11-14 from schools across Abu Dhabi and, for the first time, Al Ain. Since its inception in 2022, the Jr. NBA program has impacted more than 11,000 youth in the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain regions, underscoring its role in nurturing basketball talent at the grassroots level.
The finals event not only witnessed thrilling matches but also featured Erving and Williams as guest coaches at the inaugural Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League All-Star Game. Additionally, the esteemed NBA veterans presented championship trophies to the winning teams across various categories:
League A Girls: American Community School (Minnesota Timberwolves)
League A Boys: Raha Gardens (Philadelphia 76ers)
League B Girls: Abu Dhabi International Private School MBZ (Dallas Mavericks)
League B Boys: ADQ (Dallas Mavericks)
Al Ain Girls: Liwa International School For Girls (Denver Nuggets)
Al Ain Boys: Our Own English School (Golden State Warriors)
Development League Girls: Belvedere British School (Los Angeles Clippers)
Development League Boys: Raha Khalifa City (New Orleans Pelicans)
Expressing his delight at being part of the event, NBA Legend Julius Erving remarked, “The Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League Finals has highlighted that there is so much potential for the UAE to produce the future stars of the NBA and WNBA.” Similarly, Jason Williams expressed his admiration for the young athletes, emphasizing the importance of such platforms in nurturing talent and inspiring the next generation of basketball players.
Erving, a basketball icon with numerous accolades including 11 NBA All-Star appearances and induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and Williams, a former NBA champion and renowned point guard, lent their expertise and encouragement to the budding talents, making the finals event a memorable experience for all involved.
The Jr. NBA program, designed to instill fundamental skills and core values such as teamwork, respect, determination, and community spirit, has been instrumental in enhancing the youth basketball experience globally. With a reach of 50,000 youth across 28 countries in Europe and the Middle East during the 2022-23 season, the Jr. NBA continues to make significant strides in promoting the sport at the grassroots level.
Supported by ADQ, Aldar, and DCT Abu Dhabi, the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League is part of a broader collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi. This collaboration encompasses various initiatives, including preseason NBA Global Games, interactive fan events, NBA FIT clinics, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event, aimed at fostering basketball culture and promoting tourism in Abu Dhabi.
For more information on the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, operated by Gulf Sports Media FZ LLC (trading as Sport360), interested individuals can download the OWQLO App and follow the Jr. NBA on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.