Women’s Basketball
Getting to know your U SPORTS coaches: Erin McAleenan, York Lions
Newly Formed Initiative by the NBA and Canada Basketball Includes Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam, National Team Members Cory Joseph & Kia Nurse, and Hall of Famer Steve Nash
David Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer of U SPORTS, has been named as an inaugural member of the Jr. NBA Canadian Leadership Council, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Canada Basketball announced Monday.
The formation of the Jr. NBA Canadian Leadership Council will help drive the growth of youth basketball in Canada by providing direction on Jr. NBA Youth Basketball’s programming and development.
As a journalist, Goldstein is the author of the book Alley-Oop to Aliyah: African American Hoopsters in the Holy Land. He has profiled NBA players in a regular sports feature for the Cincinnati Enquirer, and is also the author of Jamaal Magloire: A Biography.
Jr. NBA Canadian Leadership Council members include:
- Nav Bhatia, Superfan
- Martha Bradbury, Representative, Canadian Basketball Officials Commission
- Peter Dinsdale, President and CEO, YMCA Canada
- David Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer, U SPORTS
- Cory Joseph, Player, Indiana Pacers and Canadian Senior Men’s National Team
- Steve Konchalski, Former Head Coach, Canadian Senior Men’s National Team (1995-1998)
- Michael Linklater, Representative and Athlete, Indigenous Sport Community and FIBA 3x3
- Allison McNeill, Former Head Coach, Canadian Senior Women’s National Team (2002-2012)
- Lori Munro-Sigfridson, President, PHE Canada
- Lizanne Murphy, Olympian & Canadian Senior Women’s National Team Member (2012)
- Steve Nash, Eight-time NBA All-Star and Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Member
- Kia Nurse, Player, New York Liberty and Canadian Senior Women’s National Team
- Michele O'Keefe, FIBA Central Board Member and Associate Director, Niagara College Athletics & Recreation
- Pete Quevillon, Director, KidSport BC
- Teresa Resch, Vice-President, Basketball Operations & Player Development, Toronto Raptors
- Pascal Siakam, Player, Toronto Raptors
- Wayne Yearwood, Olympian & Canadian Senior Men’s National Team Member (2000)
“We are extremely proud to have David Goldstein represent U SPORTS as part of the inaugural Jr. NBA Canadian Leadership Council," said U SPORTS President and CEO Graham Brown. "Taking his place among some of the most respected and knowledgeable Canadian basketball and youth sports professionals, David is a fitting choice having been around and covered the game for a number of years. Basketball in Canada continues to grow, and we are excited to have one of our U SPORTS leaders involved in this innovative grassroots initiative."
Each of the more than 300 participating community organizations across all provinces and two territories will implement a basketball development curriculum jointly developed by Canada Basketball and the NBA that reflects the Long-Term Athlete Development Framework (LTAD) and Canadian style of play. The program will also provide age-appropriate skill development with equipment in a fun and active learning environment. Participants will learn fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game, including teamwork, respect, sportsmanship and leadership.
In 2014, the NBA launched the Jr. NBA Rookie Division for boys and girls ages 5-7 at 50 clubs across Canada. Since 2014, the Jr. NBA Rookie Division expanded to nearly 250 clubs across every Canadian province, providing age-appropriate curriculums and equipment, including smaller basketballs, lowered hoops (from 4'5" to 6'5" in height), and modified games.
For the Full NBA/Canada Basketball Release click here.