This week the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World plays host to the Jr. NBA Global Championship. The youth basketball tournament features the top 13- and 14- year old boys and girls teams from around the world competing for the world championship. This is both the second year of the Jr NBA Global Championship and the second year it has been held at ESPN WWOS.
The event featured a tip-off ceremony and plenty of fun for the 32 participating teams, led by 2019 NBA Champion, Danny Green, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic Legend Dennis Scott, Olympic Gold Medalist Jennifer Azzi, former NBA players Jason Collins and Pops Mensah-Bonsu and G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
The event kicked-off with a ceremonial march of teams with all 316 youth players entering the HP Field House behind their region’s banner. Watch the march at the end of this highlights video:
After their grand entrance the athletes were seated in the arena where they watched some of their fellow athletes compete in games of skill and fun.
Following welcoming remarks, interactive activities and the ceremonial “first basket,” teams then headed to the Magic Kingdom for a little of that trademark Disney magic.
Throughout the week the athletes will compete in boys and girls brackets with every USA team getting a chance to compete against an international opponent. They will also all participate in the Jr. NBA “Developing the Total Athlete” educational series