The first step towards competing for a Jr. NBA Global Championship tips off this weekend at Langley Events Centre.
Nine U14 club basketball teams will vie for the two spots to see who represents B.C. next month against the Alberta champions as the LEC hosts the provincial qualifier.
Three girls’ squads (VK Red, BC United and VK Black) and six boys’ teams (Drive LEC Elite, Split Second, Squad, Drive U14 Elite, BC United and Flight Basketball) are all in the running to be the last teams standing. Round robin play commences Friday (May 3) for the boys’ teams while the girls’ squads tip off Saturday (May 4).
The championship finals are set for Sunday (May 5) at 11:40 a.m. (girls) and 1:00 p.m. (boys).
The B.C. and Alberta champions will play at Langley Events Centre on June 1 in the Canada West Regional to determine who represents Western Canada at the Jr. NBA Global Championship Canada Regional Finals at Toronto’s Pan Am Sports Centre later that month.
And the winners of that competition head to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where they will compete among the 32 teams (16 for each gender) at the 2019 Jr. Global Championship.
The competition – which is in its second year – runs Aug. 6 to 11 and features eight U.S. regional representatives and eight international regions (Africa, Asia Pacific, Canada, China, Europe & Middle East, India, Latin America and Mexico).
“Canada Basketball is excited to once again partner with the NBA on the Jr. NBA Global Championship Canada Regional Finals,” said Canada Basketball president and CEO Glen Grunwald. “Basketball continues to grow in our country and club-based national championships are an important component for the development of youth basketball in Canada.”
“Together with Canada Basketball we are proud to strengthen our investment in grassroots development, benefitting youth across the country,” said Dan MacKenzie, NBA Canada vice-president and managing director.