The Jr. NBA and Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) have worked together since 2017 to provide resources and tools to help educate, support and develop the youth basketball community nationwide. This includes local events, live & online workshops, content collaboration, resource shares, coach & program awards, and more. Our shared belief in the positive impact of sports drives us to continue to innovate and grow together.

Over the past 6 years, PCA has hosted 130 live and virtual workshops for the JR. NBA community with a collective attendance of nearly 11,700 coaches, parents, athletes, administrators and referees. The Jr. NBA and PCA have collaborated on activations at national events, hosting PCA workshops and providing PCA resources to attendees at NBA All Star Weekend, the Jr. NBA Global Championship, Jr. NBA Conferences, Respect the Game Forums, Her Time to Play initiatives, MLK Day celebrations and more. The Jr. NBA also provides access to PCA programming and online courses for their Jr. NBA Leagues, Jr. NBA Flagship Network, as well as the Jr. NBA Program of the Year and Coach of the Year finalists. You can learn more about PCA’s work with Jr. NBA here.

Recently, PCA attended the 2023 Jr. NBA Conference powered by Under Armour– an incredible event that took place in person for the first time since 2019, in New York City. Members of the global youth basketball community gathered to experience unparalleled networking, thought leadership, and professional development.

The conference featured fireside chats from the best in the business, including NBA and WNBA legends who shared insight into what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts during panel conversations, building their network while asking questions and learning from leaders in the field.

Marti Reed, Director of National Partnerships & DEI Programming Manager of Positive Coaching Alliance facilitated a panel conversation with Simone Joye (Author of The Parent’s Section), Qwashemma Harmon (Jr. NBA Court of Leaders Parent) and Leah Harmon (Jr. NBA Court of Leaders Member, Class of 2024), all about helping parents positively support their child’s youth sports journey. Topics discussed during this panel included managing expectations, building positive parent-coach relationships, mental health and helping athletes cope with the world beyond sports, as well as the parent-child relationship in the youth sports experience. Coaches, administrators, event operators, referees, parents, and other stakeholders across all levels of the game came together to create positive change in youth and grassroots basketball. 

PCA honors the Jr. NBA's commitment to connecting the global youth basketball community and developing holistic and sustainable programming that positively impacts young people both on and off the court. The Jr. NBA Conference powered by Under Armour was a huge success and a testament to the strength and resilience of the global youth basketball community.

“The Jr. NBA is honored to partner with and to be recognized by PCA, which shares our long-standing commitment to improving the youth basketball experience and delivering best-in-class programming, tools and resources. We look forward to continue working collaboratively to ensure coaches, parents and players across the country feel confident, equipped, and committed to providing a positive youth sports culture and that they continue to receive new opportunities to learn and develop.”

-Adam Harper, Associate Vice President, Youth Basketball Development, NBA

Through the PCA and Jr. NBA partnership, we have been able to grow and innovate together, using the sport of basketball as a means to impact lives. We are committed to continuing this partnership and expanding our reach to even more young athletes and coaches across the nation.  At the heart of our partnership is a shared belief in the power of sports to create positive change. By working together, we are able to provide young athletes with the resources and support they need to grow and thrive, both on and off the court. We look forward to continuing this important work and making a real difference in the lives of young athletes nationwide.