NYCHA’s Junior Knicks Basketball League Closes Out Second Season with 3 New Champions 

When it came to deciding which borough would rise to the top of NYCHA’s Junior Knicks Basketball League this season, the Bronx took home the bragging rights. 

Claiming two of the co-ed league’s three age-group championships at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) on August 27, the Bronx was represented by teams from Claremont Neighborhood Centers in the 13-and-under division and Marble Hill Houses in the 15-and-under division. A team from O’Dwyer Gardens in Brooklyn captured the other league title in the 11-and-under age division.  

The Claremont squad was victorious over the O’Dwyer Gardens 12-13-year-olds, while the Marble Hill team held off a team from Brooklyn’s Marcy Houses and the O’Dwyer Gardens 10-11-year-olds won against a team representing Claremont Neighborhood Centers, which included players from nearby Webster and Morris Houses. A total of 72 young players reached the Junior Knicks league finals after more than 700 youth from across the city participated in league competition that began in mid-August, as well as expanded skills clinics.   

“The Junior Knicks Basketball League and skills and drills clinics have served as a vital outlet for healthy athletic activity for hundreds of young people across our campuses during the summer months,” NYCHA Chair Greg Russ said. “This initiative would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our hardworking NYCHA staff – and our integral partners at the City level and at the New York Knicks basketball organization.” 

Helping to close out NYCHA’s second Junior Knicks season at the BMCC gym was former Knicks player and Bronx native, Rod Strickland. Mr. Strickland, who grew up at Mitchel Houses, autographed some basketballs for the youth and distributed some of the winner trophies.  

“The cause was for NYCHA, so he was gracious for the opportunity,” Curtis Williams, who helps manage the league at NYCHA, said of former resident Mr. Strickland meeting with the young athletes. 

Noting that basketball programs help keep city youth active and safe, Mayor Eric Adams commended the citywide league for helping to “change lives and ensure that no young person is left behind.” “Thank you to Rod Strickland and the Knicks for their partnership in making this tournament happen for our young people, and congratulations to the winning teams and all the participants,” the mayor added. 

After launching at NYCHA in September last year, the Junior Knicks league was condensed into two weeks of “intense” game play this season for teams hoping to reach the finals, Mr. Williams said. Despite the shortened season, the league held skills and drills clinics – beginning in July – at 26 sites across NYCHA, which were expanded beyond the 4-to-9-year-old age range to include players up to age 15.  

“They were able to stay engaged from start to finish, with both skills and drills and league play,” Mr. Williams explained.  

A “curriculum-based” skills and drills program was implemented for the 2022 season, in which staff received training on various methods to engage youths. In addition to learning the fundamentals of basketball, participants were also introduced to simulations of live game situations and how to interact with referee officials.  

As the NYCHA league seeks to continue building support for future seasons, Mr. Williams said “the hopes are still extremely high that we can turn this into an ongoing program for the agency.”

Feature photo caption: The 13-and-under team representing the Bronx’s Claremont Neighborhood Centers won the Junior Knicks league title by defeating a team from O’Dwyer Gardens.