Jr. NBA 2015 launched

The top officials of NBA Philippines and Alaska, the coaching staff of this year's
Jr. NBA camp, and some of the alumni of the said camp. Pen Lazarte
By Josh Castro

The Jr. NBA camp opened its 2015 season with a coaches' clinic at the British School Manila in Taguig City.

Presented by longtime partner Alaska, the NBA's global youth development program, which is now in its ninth year in the Philippines, remains firm on its goal to promote basketball participation, sportsmanship, teamwork, and active lifestyle among children.

"The Jr. NBA program has positively impacted the lives of Filipino youth, parents, and coaches alike for the past eight years. Together with our longstanding partner Alaska, we will work to improve and expand on our program, bringing it to more cities and communities each year and making it a more inclusive and unique experience for Filipinos everywhere," said NBA Philippines Manager Carlo Singson.

Also happening is the second Jr. WNBA camp, which has helped boost the performance of aspiring women's basketball stars.

"...the impressive turnout of the first-ever Jr. WNBA program [last year] is an overwhelming affirmation that children are indeed meant to go out and play," said Alaska Milk Corporation President Wilfred Uytengsu.

This year, the Jr. NBA camp, which is open to boys and girls aged 10-14, will take place in eight key Philippine cities.

After the Taguig leg, which will also feature an open clinic the following day at the same venue, the Jr. NBA will go to Bacolod next week for another round of coaching and open clinics.

The regional selection camps will then go underway starting Feb. 21 at the Seminario De San Jose in Puerto Princesa City.

Separate regional selection camps will also take place in the cities of Biñan, Iloilo, Baguio, and Davao before making another stop in Bacolod and culminating in Pasay.

NBA Asia basketball operations manager Chris Sumner will lead this year's camp as the head coach. He will also oversee the performance of the basketball coaches who will also participate in this year's camp.

Fifty boys, 24 girls, and 14 coaches will be selected to join the Jr. NBA National Training Camp on Apr. 24-26 at the PICC and the SM Mall of Asia, both in Pasay City.

From the national camp, ten boys and five girls will get a life-changing experience as they will go out of the country to watch an NBA game live.

Also by the end of the national camp, the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year winners will be announced.