NBA and WNBA will launch youth basketball leagues in Kansas City

Kansas City will be one of the first cities included in a new youth basketball initiative.

The NBA and WNBA announced the Jr. NBA Leagues, a “national network of youth basketball leagues” on Thursday. Kansas City was one of 11 cities that will start play in November.

According to the two leagues, the Jr. NBA Leagues are an effort to provide access to youth sports after a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The youth basketball ecosystem has experienced unique challenges over the past two-plus years, and we are committed to addressing those challenges with programs like Jr. NBA Leagues,” NBA Senior Vice President and Head of Youth Basketball Development David Krichavsky said in a statement.

Kids ages 6-14 will be able to play in the leagues, which will be operated by NBA and WNBA partner RCX Sports. Schools, community organizations and others can apply to be a league operator on the Jr. NBA Leagues’ website.

The NBA and WNBA set a goal of half a million youth participants by 2027. The other cities in which the initiative will tip off in November are Sacramento, California; Washington; Boise, Idaho; Louisville, Kentucky; New Orleans; Omaha, Nebraska; Las Vegas; Philadelphia; San Antonio and Seattle.