NBA expanding Jr. NBA to three new cities to help grow youth sports

The NBA “will be expanding the Jr. NBA Leagues to three new cities” -- Indianapolis, Miami and Orlando, according to Jason Beede of the ORLANDON SENTINEL. Launched last November in 10 markets across the U.S., Jr. NBA Leagues is a “national network of youth basketball leagues for boys and girls ages 6-14.” The program “works with community-based organizations and engaged with more than 20,000 youths nationwide in its first year.” Now entering its second year, the Jr. NBA Leagues is “coming soon to Central Florida.” The first Jr. NBA League in Orlando “will launch in December in Springhill,” and additional leagues in the region “will start throughout the spring and summer on a rolling basis.” By joining a Jr. NBA League, kids “get to wear NBA and WNBA officially licensed jerseys, and coaches are provided training, curriculum and resources from the league to help teach the sport” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/20).