Jr. NBA, the NBA’s global youth development program that promotes basketball participation and an active lifestyle among children, returns to Malaysia for the third consecutive year beginning today.  The expanded program will reach more than 200 schools in Malaysia with clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, a first-time Jr. NBA host city.  Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (Dutch Lady) will again serve as the presenting partner of the Jr. NBA in Malaysia.

Jr. NBA Malaysia 2016 presented by Dutch Lady will run through August 2016 and engage more than 4,000 boys and girls.  Participants will be trained in the fundamentals of basketball and learn the importance of the Jr. NBA’s core values of sportsmanship, teamwork, a positive attitude, and  respect. 

Jr. NBA Malaysia 2016 presented by Dutch Lady tipped off today with a Train the Trainers program at SJK (C) Kwong Hon.  The program will be followed by a coaches clinic and an open clinic for kids at the IGB International School tomorrow, and additional clinics on April 3.  A series of school clinics will also be conducted leading up to the selection camp on July 16, where the top 40 boys and top 24 girls ages 10-14 will be chosen following a series of skills and character assessments to participate in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp August 5-7.  The Train the Trainers program was introduced this year to further local basketball development, imparting knowledge and tools to all participating coaches to help elevate the overall youth basketball experience in the country.

The National Training Camp will once again be attended by an NBA legend or current player and feature an NBA Cares community outreach event.  The program will culminate with the selection of 10 boys and five girls, who will be named as 2016 Jr. NBA Malaysia All-Stars.  These standout campers will embark on a unique, overseas NBA experience together with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia later in the year.       

The program is free and open to boys and girls ages 5-14.  Players between the ages of 10-14 will be eligible for the top selection during the selection camp and National Training Camp.  In addition to presenting partner Dutch Lady, the event is supported by the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Spalding and Westports Malaysia Dragons.  Astro is the Official Broadcaster Partner of the Jr. NBA in Malaysia.

The Jr. NBA teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents.  During the 2015-16 season, the Jr. NBA will reach more than 6.5 million youth in 33 countries.

Registration for the coaches clinic, open clinics and selection camp is now available through the official event website at www.jrnba.asia/malaysia.  Fans can follow Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbamalaysia.  For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com and “Friend” the NBA’s official account on LINE by adding @nba_global.