USA Basketball today announced plans to host an inaugural 2017 USA Basketball 14U National Tournament for boys and girls teams comprised of players who are 14 years old or younger. The tournament, which will be conducted in accordance with USA Basketball’s national guidelines, will take place June 30-July 3 at Jonathan Byrd’s Grand Park Fieldhouse in Westfield, Indiana.
“USA Basketball is very excited to debut this event that we hope will attract teams from across the United States,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO/Executive Director. “It is important for us to give young basketball players the chance to play according to USA Basketball guidelines, which will help ensure a fun, competitive environment that is focused on their safety and development.”
Player eligibility will be based on age, not grade. To participate, a player must be 14 years old or younger and cannot turn 15 before
Sept. 1, 2017. The tournament will use FIBA international rules an
d a 30-second shot clock.
Team Registration: The team registration fee is $300 through March 15 and $400 after March 15. Registration includes a minimum of four games for each team, participation in a player clinic, athlete insurance, tournament t-shirts for each player, polos for coaches and one clipboard per team. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, up to a maximum of 64 boys and 64 girls teams.
USA Basketball 14U National Tournament: The USA Basketball 14U National Tournament is a USA Basketball Youth Development initiative. The focus of the national tournament is to promote a competitive, safe and fun development environment. Other USA Basketball youth initiatives include coach licensing, organization accreditation, coach academies, youth regional camps and instructional content.
Teams that participate in the 2017 USA Basketball 14U National Tournament will play no more than two games per day, be guaranteed of at least four games overall and all teams will advance to bracket play – guaranteeing participation in three of the four scheduled tournament days. The July 3 boys and girls championship games will be streamed live on usab.com.
USA Basketball Experience: Players will have the option to participate in a USA Basketball Experience that includes a skills clinic directed by Don Showalter, who is the USA Basketball Coach Development Director and an eight-time winner of the USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year award.
Coaches will have the chance to participate in a social event. The USA Basketball Experience also will include a USA Basketball memorabilia display that showcases current and past USA Basketball men’s and women’s national teams.
