Junior Knicks Basketball League Restores Citywide Play for NYCHA Youth

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021 Vincent Echavaria

There’s a basketball revival taking place for youth across NYCHA.

Teams of young boys and girls are competing in a new Junior Knicks Basketball League through October 16 at 26 NYCHA sites, including 14 newly refurbished basketball courts. A modified restoration of a former citywide league at NYCHA, the Junior Knicks league was organized in partnership with Madison Square Garden Sports/Junior Knicks, the House of Mandela, and the NYPD.

Together with the opening of upgraded basketball courts across the five boroughs, the league competition provides opportunities for NYCHA youth to stay active and safe within their communities. The NYPD has funded a total of 14 NYCHA court renovation projects this year through asset forfeiture revenue provided by the District Attorney of New York, which jumpstarted the formation of the Junior Knicks league.

NYCHA’s former citywide basketball league was among the largest in the tri-state area, attracting 3,000 youth across 250 teams every year and engaging more than 5,000 community members through the games and related events. With three age groups competing per location (10-11, 12-13, and 14-15), the Junior Knicks league seeks to reinvigorate citywide play for young NYCHA residents.

“The prior league was the largest in the city and there was a lot of traction around it, so folks are definitely expressing that they’re happy to see this kind of activity come back to NYCHA,” said DaVida Rowley-Blackman, NYCHA’s Director of Public/Private Partnerships. “I think the way we went about it this time and the partnership we have with the Knicks is exciting and will bring a different spin to what has been done in the past.”

A kickoff celebration for the Junior Knicks league was held on September 8 at Manhattan’s Wald Houses, featuring a skills and drills clinic and promotional giveaways. Representatives of the NYPD, NYCHA, and House of Mandela, along with legendary former Knicks player John Starks, praised the partnership to create a positive outlet for local youth through athletic competition.

“The Knicks organization is proud to be a part of this celebration of the Junior Knicks Basketball League within NYCHA locations,” said Mr. Starks, the Knicks’ all-time leader in three-pointers. “It is very important for everyone in our community to have access to safe places to play. These NYCHA court refurbishments alongside the Junior Knicks’ basketball programming is a great example of how sport can help bring communities together.”

John Starks at Junior Knicks — New York Knicks legend John Starks was among the speakers at a kickoff event for the new Junior Knicks Basketball League.

Junior Knicks players — The citywide league will feature three youth age groups at each of the 26 NYCHA court sites.

Junior Knicks clinic — The kickoff event included a skills and drills clinic.

Junior Knicks coaches — Young residents from any NYCHA development are allowed to play in the boys and girls league.

1of5

As a result of the NYPD-funded court renovations, which were designed with input from residents, the House of Mandela connected NYCHA with MSG Sports, who proposed the Junior Knicks league as an opportunity to showcase a dozen of the new court sites. The league was then expanded by an additional 14 locations across NYCHA after the Authority received a $2 million investment from the City. Young residents from any NYCHA development are allowed to play.

Nearly 2,000 youth and more than 100 coaches applied for positions on 78 teams throughout the 26 league sites. Additionally, the Knicks will offer basketball clinics for youth ages 4 to 9. Games will be played at the following NYCHA developments:

Manhattan	Brooklyn	Queens	Bronx	Staten Island
Douglass Wilson King Towers Jefferson Rutgers Wagner Wald	Marcy Breukelen Penn Wortman Williamsburg Sheepshead Bay Tompkins O’Dwyer Gardens	Queensbridge Ravenswood Woodside Hammel	Jackson Castle Hill Forest Bronx River McKinley Marble Hill Sack Wern	Stapleton

Speaking at the kickoff event, Kweku Mandela, grandson of the late South African President Nelson Mandela, said the NYPD’s investment in the court projects demonstrates that the department is seeking to better engage with its communities.

“They partnered with different organizations around the city to bring to young kids, male and female, a unique league that we hope will continue for many years to come,” he said.

Michael Parker, a former resident of Wagner Houses who is serving as the citywide league’s program manager, called it a “proud moment” for NYCHA and its partners to be activating 26 spaces and investing in the youth who reside in NYCHA housing.

“To be able to create an environment where our youth will be engaged in sports, team building, and mentorship is one of the many ways that we are looking to show our intentions for the future,” Mr. Parker said. “Our hope is that by activating and reinvesting in these developments, it will allow our kids to not only have fun but be safe and supported by those who care, and we will continue to advocate and collaborate.”

Mr. Parker applauded the partnership between league organizers, saying it’s a collective practice that other professional teams and organizations can take pride in and build upon.

“I’m looking forward to us not only creating this league, but having this for years to come,” he said.