Very First JR. NBA Malaysia Programme in Johor! Five Aspiring Basketballers to Represent Johor

With Jr. NBA Malaysia presented by Dutch Lady successfully returning to Malaysia for the fourth consecutive year witnessing an increased interest from youths in the game, the programme expanded to Johor for the very first time.

The Jr. NBA Malaysia presented by Dutch Lady programme will reach more than 6,000 boys and girls at more than 200 schools for local basketball talents to attend the Jr. NBA Selection Camp in Kuala Lumpur, moving them one step closer to being named 2017 Jr. NBA Malaysia All-Star!

The programme will culminate with eight boys and eight girls being named 2017 Jr. NBA Malaysia All-Stars. These standout campers will embark on a unique, overseas NBA experience together with their counterparts from Southeast Asia later in the year.

Two girls and three boys were selected from the Johor clinic to attend the Selection Camp in Kuala Lumpur from July 8 to 9.

Dutch Lady serves as the presenting partner of the Jr. NBA progamme in Malaysia for the fourth consecutive year as part of its Drink. Move. Be Strong (DMBS) platform to encourage an active lifestyle and a healthy diet among Malaysian children.

The clinics were led by Joselito F. Vergara, along with coaches from the Westports Malaysia Dragons and the Ministry of Education (MOE) from Johor. Participants are trained in the fundamentals of basketball and learn about the importance of proper nutrition as well as the Jr. NBA’s core values of sportsmanship, teamwork, a positive attitude, and respect.

In conjunction with Mother’s Day, one of Jr. NBA’s sporting mum, Michelle Koh and her daughter, Wu Ser Jing had a quick shooting game at the clinic.

“I started playing basketball since primary school and never stopped ever since. As a mother of five, it is very important that each of my children maintains a healthy and active lifestyle. During weekends, I’d spend time with the girls at the basketball arcade machine and see who scores more. And of course, I was always the top scorer,” said Michelle happily.

(L to R) Selected participants: Liong Cheng You (age 12), Goh Yi Xiang (age 12), Soon Min Yi (age 14), Lee Hong Jun (age 14), Chan Ru Xuan (age 14)

“I was picked to be in the basketball team because of my height. Little did I know, I began developing interest in basketball as I go through training with my team. I am looking forward to the Selection Camp as I take this as a challenge and to make my family proud,” said Soon Min Yi from SMK Taman Johor Jaya.

Participants going through the skill stations at the Jr. NBA Malaysia 2017 presented by Dutch Lady Johor Basketball Clinic

The Selection Camp in Kuala Lumpur on July 8 & 9 is a two-day event made up of skill stations and clinics on the first day, followed by scrimmages and final selections on the second day. The top 32 boys and girls from the Selection Camp will be invited to participate in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp in Kuala Lumpur from July 28-30. The National Training Camp will once again be attended by a current or former NBA player. For more information, visit the official event website at www.jrnba.asia/malaysia and follow the Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbamalaysia. For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com and “Friend” the NBA’s official account on LINE by adding @nba_global.

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