By Felicia D. McDaniel Sports Editor

“I am elated that Richmond received such an honor and it is also a great accomplishment for me personally and professionally.”
Jerry Anderson Richmond Rec Depart Youth Sports Coordinator

Once again, the Bay Area is recognized for their contributions to the youth in the area.
This past spring 19 year-old Berkeley resident Joy White was named the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBACoach of the Year and now Richmond Recreation & Parks has been recognized as one of the top basketball programs in the country.
The Richmond Recreation & Parks Department Jr. Warriors League was one of five Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programs from around the country honored by the National Basketball Association as Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Leagues of the Year for best exemplifying the core values of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA.
Led by youth sports coordinator Jerry Anderson for the past five years, Anderson strives to involve and expose Richmond youth to as many sports adventures as possible.
“I connected The Richmond Recreation Department with the JR Warriors and JR NBA/WNBA and the LEJ Sports Organization about five years ago, because it was a new avenue for our sports program,” said Anderson. Chosen because of their commitment and involvement in the community,
The Richmond Recreation Department and the LEJ Sports Organization are organizations that provide instructional literature and equipment to players and coaches. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, which has just finished its 4th season, incorporates the values of sportsmanship, teamwork and positive participation from parents, players, coaches and officials. All participants within the more than 1,200 leagues work together to offer a positive youth sports experience for all involved
“This season, two million players, parents and coaches have made this our most successful season ever,” said Kathy Behrens, senior vice president, NBA Community and Player Programs.
“These leagues have gone above and beyond to make sure that their youth sports experience is a model for what hard work on and off the court can accomplish.”

Jerry Anderson (left), coordinator for the Richmond Recreation & Parks Department were among the five programs named as League of the Year by the NBA.

• Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBALeagues of the Year
• Richmond Recreation & Parks Dept - Richmond, CA/Jr. Warriors
• Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos - Valley Bryan, TX/Jr. Rockets/Comets
• Hackensack Youth Basketball - Hackensack, NJ/Jr. Nets
• North St Pete Youth Basketball - St Petersburg, FL/Jr. Magic
• Southwest Patriots Athletic Program - Country Club Hills, IL/Jr. Bulls The Jr. NBA/Jr.

WNBA program presented by Gatorade and Nike, provides recreational youth basketball leagues with free access to a variety of valuable membership programs, including an Instructional Curriculum for players, parents, coaches and officials. Jr. NBA/Jr.
WNBA is endorsed by the Youth Basketball Partnership, made up of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, National Recreation and Parks Association, National Police Athletic Leagues, Jewish Community Centers of North America and Basketball Canada. These organizations also support the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA by serving as a communication link to local member leagues.
The cornerstone of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program is the instructional guidebook provided free to all players, parents, coaches and officials from member leagues.