MISSION HILL, Mass. – In October, the National Basketball Association launched an expansion of its youth basketball programming through the establishment of the Jr. NBA. The multifaceted platform aims to teach the fundamental skills, as well as the core values of basketball at a grassroots level in an effort to grow the game.
The Jr. Leadership Council consists of many highly regarded influencers of the game, including Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Through his involvement on the board, Stevens provides guidance to fellow instructors regarding the importance of teaching basic fundamentals and not over-coaching young, developing athletes.
On Saturday evening, Celtics players Jae Crowder and Isaiah Thomas set out to put their coach’s advice to work. Crowder and Thomas put on their best Stevens impression as coaches at the annual launch of the Celtics’ youth development program, Jr. Celtics.
The Jr. Celtics initiative, presented by New England Baptist Hospital, has been active in the local Boston community during the past five seasons. Rooted with a similar mission to that of the Jr. NBA, the program challenges more than 800 third- through fifth-graders to develop their basketball game through skills, drills and leadership training.
Participants of the program’s first session gathered at Madison Park High School in Mission Hill, Mass., equipped and ready to set their benchmark scores at the clinic. Leading them through the Celtics-approved drills were Crowder and Thomas.
Crowder and Thomas led the youth through the drills, demonstrating each technique before letting the athletes try out the drills at their respective stations. The pair of Celtics circled the gym giving tips and words of encouragement, and even jumped in and participated in a few of the drills themselves.
“It is so great to just be out here motivating the kids,” said Crowder. “Seeing them enjoying the game and taking what we said and putting it into action is as rewarding to Isaiah and I as it is to them.”
Following the energetic workout, the young athletes were tasked with improving upon the program drills at their respective sites for a chance to attend a Celtics game as a Jr. Celtics All-Star.
“Today, we went over the basics,” explained Thomas, “dribbling, shooting, effective defensive stances, as well as the importance of taking care of your body. At the end, the kids all had smiles on their faces and that is what it is all about!”
Crowder and Thomas together with New England Baptist Hospital successfully helped to grow the game of basketball Saturday night with the next generation of local student-athletes. Who knows, maybe Crowder and Thomas have a future following in Stevens’ footsteps.
