The Jr. NBA 3v3 programme will launch ahead of The NBA Manchester Game 2027.
Which will see the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs face off at Co-op Live on Sunday, January 17, 2027, in the first-ever regular-season NBA game in Greater Manchester.
The free youth development programme for primary and secondary school-aged children focuses on the fast-paced, entertaining 3-on-3 version of the sport. Schools from across Greater Manchester are invited to register from today (Monday 14 September) until Friday 30 October. Primary schools can register here and secondary schools can register here.
The programme was officially launched today at Trinity Church of England High School, in Greater Manchester, and attended by Jamell Anderson, gold-medal winning captain of the England Men’s 3x3 Basketball team at the Commonwealth Games in July 2026.
“Winning gold this summer was an unbelievable moment, and I hope it inspires young players across Manchester and Greater Manchester to see what’s possible,” said Anderson. “The youth basketball scene here is growing again, and opportunities like this from the NBA can help to take it to the next level. We all start somewhere, and giving schools access to competitions like this is how we make sure there are even more gold medalists in the future.”
Registered schools will take part in qualification rounds by mid-December before ending with a showpiece tournament Finals Day in January 2027 which will feature the region’s best young players. The location, date and timing of the Finals – which will feature boys, girls and wheelchair categories – will be announced at a later date.
Jr. NBA 3v3 to reach all Greater Manchester boroughs.
The programme will take place across all Greater Manchester boroughs to encourage increased participation in basketball and include supporting the provision of wheelchair basketball in the tournament.
The 3v3 version of basketball debuted as an Olympic sport in 2021 and, to further its continued growth, was a featured sport at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It is played with three team members (from a squad of six) on court at any one time; the court is smaller than a traditional basketball court, and the duration of games makes it easier for more children to play.
The competition will be supported by the My Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA App, serving as the event’s official platform, and providing schedules, results, and standings throughout the competition. The My Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA App is a unified digital hub to support programme participants, coaches, referees, parents and competition managers and operators. The app, which is free to download, centralizes key tools and resources for Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA programming, including competition management, registration and data features, live game streaming and integrated communication capabilities in multiple languages, with geo‑targeted content and both app and web‑based access. My Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA App is now available for download on App Store and Google Play.
Hugh Brasher, CEO at London Marathon Events, said: “Greater Manchester is the perfect location to grow Jr. NBA 3v3. The city has a deep-rooted history in basketball and has supported the growth of professional basketball for decades, which has seen the game flourish in local communities and schools. More recently, the launch of Manchester Basketball and the NBA’s decision to bring a regular-season game to the city in 2027 reinforces Greater Manchester’s position as a go-to destination for the sport, linking grassroots participation with the global game.”
Neal Meyer, NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations, Europe & Middle East, said: “Expanding Jr. NBA 3v3 into Greater Manchester builds on the success of our collaboration with London Marathon Events and reflects our commitment to making basketball more accessible to young people across the UK. Ahead of the first-ever NBA regular-season game in Greater Manchester this January, we look forward to working with LME to provide more boys and girls across the region with the opportunity to learn the game and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle.”
The competition is free to enter, and younger pupils in primary schools are also able to join in with free resources for their schools to show how they can teach 3v3.