Valencia Welcomes NBA Legends and Trophy for Jr. NBA European Finals

VALENCIA. The mayor of Valencia, María José Catalá, received this morning in the Crystal Room of the Valencia City Council the vice president of Basketball Operations of the NBA for Europe and the Middle East, Neal Meyer, and the two international basketball legends, Dino Rađa, and Sonja Vasić, both European ambassadors of the NBA and WNBA, respectively. This reception is part of a complete agenda of the second edition of the Jr. NBA European Finals that includes visits to schools, clinics with sports clubs and public exhibition of the official NBA trophy.

Catalá, who has been accompanied by the Councilor for Sports, Rocío Gil, has received a signed shirt and ball from the legends, has highlighted that “it is a pleasure to receive them and it is a great luxury to have in Valencia not only the trophy, but “Not that they are visiting four schools for two days and conveying how important sport is for our city.” Regarding the relationship of our city with the best basketball competition in the world, he pointed out that “we have opted for basketball with the upcoming celebration of major events, but in this case the important thing is that next June 180 kids will be present in this NBA European Junior Championship, with teams from 7 different countries. There will be some wonderful days from June 26 to 29 where those children from all over Europe, but also from here, will be able to share the court with NBA legends.”

Regarding the future of this tournament and Valencia’s connection with the NBA, he stressed that “for us it is essential to bet on top-level sporting events, but that they are always linked to youth, childhood and, above all, to transmit the values ​​with which we want to imbue the sports management of this City Council”, to which he added that the choice of the American brand for our city is not coincidental because “Valencia deserves it, I think the NBA intends to bet very heavily for Valencia and we are a city that will give a lot to talk about in the future in national and international basketball.”

Within the program of activities of the Valencia City Council with the NBA, two newly renovated basketball courts were inaugurated yesterday on Bombero Ramón Duarte Street. In addition, NBA legends Rađa and Vasić are visiting the CEIP San Fernando, CEIP Doctor Olóriz, CEIP Campanar and CEIP Eliseo Vidal schools, and the Campanar Basketball Club and Petraher Basketball Club enjoyed a clinic yesterday at L’Alqueria del Basket with these legends.

The Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball program for young people, teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values ​​of the game and teamwork, respect, determination and community at the grassroots level in an effort to help grow and improve the youth basketball experience for players, coaches and parents. During the 2022-23 season, the Jr. NBA collectively reached 50,000 youth in 28 countries in Europe and the Middle East.

2024-04-11 15:50:04
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