– Recognizes Youth Basketball Coaches Demonstrating Outstanding Integrity, Character and Leadership –
– Top Three Award Finalists Receive Funding, Equipment and Apparel to Support
Their Local Youth Basketball Organizations –
The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today the creation of the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award, which will be given annually to a youth basketball coach that is making a positive impact on children by demonstrating outstanding integrity, character and leadership.
NBA teams will select a local winner in their market to become eligible for the national Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award. The NBA and Positive Coaching Alliance, a partner of the Jr. NBA presented by Under Armour, will narrow down the local winners to eight semi-finalists. A panel of judges, including former NBA player Dell Curry, former WNBA player Jennifer Azzi and Turner Sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson, along with fan voting via social media will determine the top three finalists. Finalists will receive funding as well as equipment and apparel to support their local youth basketball organizations; free Positive Coaching Alliance training; and all-expense-paid trips to New York to attend the inaugural NBA Awards Show on June 26.
“Coaches play a critically important role in creating a positive youth basketball experience,” said NBA Vice President, Youth Basketball Development David Krichavsky. “We are excited to establish the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award to recognize basketball coaches across the country who are having an extraordinary impact on youth – both on and off the court.”
Fan voting for the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award will begin April 25 and run through May 9. The national Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award winner will be announced in June. More information about the award is available athttp://jr.nba.com/coachoftheyear/.
Tipping off today, the Jr. NBA and Positive Coaching Alliance are celebrating Coach Appreciation Week (March 27-31) via social media to recognize the local winners who are eligible for the national Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award. Follow the Jr. NBA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as Positive Coaching Alliance on Twitter and Instagram for a weeklong celebration of youth basketball coaches.
