Second season of the Stanbic Jr. National Basketball Association (NBA) league commenced last week at the Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium in Juba.
This league, designed for boys and girls aged 16 and under, is a collaborative effort primarily between Stanbic Bank and NBA Africa, with the Luol Deng Foundation serving as the implementing partner.
This season features 28 teams competing in regular-season games that will run through September, leading up to the playoffs and finals scheduled for October.
Before the season officially began, a league draw took place at St. Mark’s Orthodox School, where participating teams selected NBA jerseys to represent throughout the season. This event was complemented by a basketball clinic held for 40 coaches and educators the following day.
The inaugural season concluded in August, Last year in Juba, with two-time NBA All-Star Luol Deng and 1995 NBA All-Star Cedric Ceballos in attendance. Juba One 76ers were crowned the first champions of the league.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA is a global youth basketball program designed to teach fundamental skills and core values such as teamwork, respect, determination, and community.
Launched in 19 African countries, the program has reached over 350,000 young players across the continent last year, aiming to enhance youth basketball experience for players, coaches, and parents.
