By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The ΝΒΑ has officially announced its collaboration with Panathinaikos Superfoods and Olympiacos for creating the first Jr. NBA leagues in Greece.
There are going to be two leagues, Jr. NBA Panathinaikos Basket League and Jr. NBA Olympiacos Basket League, for both boys and girls ages 10 to 12. The venues will include schools and basketball academies, with over 60 spots in Athens and Piraeus hosting games from November on.
The regular season for Panathinaikos’ league will be from November to April, while for Olympiacos‘ from March to June. Each school and academy will represent one of the 30 NBA teams and will receive official jerseys. The champions will also receive their respective NBA rings!
In the press conference held at Athens Hilton earlier today, Jesus Bueno, NBA EMEA Vice President and Basketball Business Operations, stated:
“We are glad to be working with Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, two historic European clubs, in order to launch the first Jr. NBA league in Greece. This program for school and academies will create a motivational environment for kids in order for them to learn the game. Not only that, but the kids will be taught all about team work and respect. We are looking forward to having the first champions from the two leagues. Just like in the NBA, the teams in each championship will be divided in 2 conferences and 6 categories. In each championship, the first 8 teams from each conference will advance to the playoffs with the first two meeting in the finals in order for one of the two become Jr. NBA Olympiacos Basket League champion and Jr. NBA Panathinaikos Basket League champion.”
