KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Plans for a new expanded basketball season of Jr. NBA as well as the Jr. Women's NBA leagues kicked off with a draft event in Abu Dhabi last week.
The draft at Al Qana Hall signals the seriousness of the growth plans for the sport by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) to grow basketball at the grassroots level and inspire youth participation across the emirate.
This season will mark the league's largest since its launch in 2022, featuring more than 2,500 boys and girls from 68 schools across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Region in the Under-12, U14, and for the first time, U16 age groups.
The season features 170 teams – a 39% year-on-year increase – competing across six leagues.
David Watts, NBA Head of Middle East Strategy & Development was in attendance to celebrate the draft event. Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said the growing leagues reflect "our commitment to our youth and to inspiring the next generation of players across the UAE and wider region.
"Working alongside the NBA, we are creating opportunities for young people to develop their skills, build their character, and connect to the universal values of sport. Together with NBA Global Academy and the annual NBA Global Games, this youth league is a cornerstone of our long-term vision to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as the new home of basketball in the Middle East."
Since its inception in 2022, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Abu Dhabi League has expanded year on year, engaging over 11,000 participants through league competition, clinics, and coaching development.
The programme is part of the broader collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that has featured eight preseason NBA games in the city and additional programming for youth and fans.
As part of the league's global youth basketball programme, boys and girls learn the fundamental skills and core values of the game – teamwork, respect, determination and community – at the grassroots level while also benefitting from regular international exposure opportunities in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents.
From October 2024 – September 2025, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA reached 51 million youth, referees, and coaches in 193 countries and territories through a network of affiliated youth basketball organisations, as well as in-person and online events, leagues, and clinics.