Clippers’ Terance Mann named NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award February winner

NEW YORK – The NBA today announced LA Clippers guard Terance Mann as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of February.  Mann is being recognized for his efforts in promoting youth mentorship and community engagement through his foundation, the Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation.  Mann will receive the David Robinson trophy and the NBA will donate $10,000 to the Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation.

Earlier this year, the Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (BBBSLA) announced a partnership focused on mentorship and community engagement.  As part of the partnership, Mann helps recruit volunteer mentors for BBBSLA and addresses the critical need to have strong role models for young individuals in the community.  The partnership is the first for BBBSLA with an NBA player and includes basketball camps and clinics, VIP experiences at LA Clippers games and more.

“I started the Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation last summer because I know personally what support and positive influence can do to help children,” said Mann.  “When I was a kid, I told myself that if I had the opportunity to help change families’ lives like others did for me, I would.  Being an NBA player is about much more than making a difference for my team on the court.  It’s my job to help the kids who will come after me achieve success off the court too.”

In addition to his partnership with BBBSLA, Mann and his foundation hosted youth basketball clinics in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and his home state of Massachusetts, along with backpack and school supply distributions and academic fairs, furthering his commitment to support the youth in the communities in which he has been a part of.  The Terance Mann Complete Player Foundation and Skechers also hosted a fundraiser event in Los Angeles with all donations from the event going directly to the Terance Mann Scholarship Program, which helps provide students with resources and support to be successful.

Mann will be recognized in-arena as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner during pre-game of the Mar. 25 Pacers-Clippers game.  LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer and Halo Sports and Entertainment CEO and LA Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker will present him with the award.

The NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award honors Bob Lanier, an NBA League Office executive and NBA Cares Ambassador for more than 30 years.  He had an enormous influence on the NBA family and young people globally, traveling the world to teach the values of the game and making a positive impact through his kindness and generosity.  The legacy he built will continue to live on through the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award recognition, which honors the next generation of players’ commitment to positively impacting their community throughout the NBA season.  Each monthly winner receives the David Robinson trophy and the NBA makes a donation to the charity or foundation of the player’s choice.  To learn more, please visit https://communityassist.nba.com/.

About NBA Cares
NBA Cares is the league’s global social responsibility program that builds on the NBA’s mission of addressing important social issues.  NBA Cares has provided more than 6.5 million hours of hands-on service and created more than 2,200 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in 40 countries and territories.  NBA Cares partners with renowned social impact organizations to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health & wellness, including: Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Vera Institute of Justice, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, UNICEF, Special Olympics, The Jed Foundation, Share Our Strength and GLSEN.

Jazz’s Kris Dunn and Rockets’ Jabari Smith Jr. suspended

NEW YORK – Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn has been suspended two games without pay for initiating an altercation and throwing a punch at Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., who has been suspended one game for fighting with Dunn, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The incident, which for which both Dunn and Smith Jr. were assessed technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 11:55 remaining in the second quarter of the Rockets’ 147-119 win over the Jazz at the Toyota Center on Saturday, March 23.

Dunn will begin to serve his suspension on Monday, March 25 when the Jazz host the Dallas Mavericks.  Smith Jr. will serve his suspension that night when the Rockets host the Portland Trail Blazers.

To view the incident, click here.

First NBA Basketball School in Japan launches April 5

TOKYO – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and ERUTLUC, Inc. (ERUTLUC), a Japanese youth sporting event company specializing in basketball development, today announced a multiyear collaboration for ERUTLUC to launch and operate the first NBA Basketball School in Japan.

Located at Shibuya Education Academy Shibuya Junior & Senior High School (1-21-18 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), the NBA Basketball School Japan will launch on Friday, April 5 and is open to youth ages 5-18 across Tokyo.  The tuition-based basketball development program will cover on-court training, skill development and basketball education for all skill levels.  Registration is open now by visiting www.japan-nba-basketballschool.com.

“The launch of NBA Basketball School Japan reflects our commitment to providing opportunities for Japanese youth to learn and play the game,” said Natalia Andre, Senior Manager of Basketball Operations, NBA Asia.  “Through our collaboration with ERUTLUC, young Japanese players at all skill levels will have access to a proven training program that will help them develop on the court and as leaders.”

“We are very happy to open the first NBA Basketball School in Japan,” said ERUTLUC President Yoshikazu Suzuki.  “In recent years, basketball has reached new heights in its popularity in Japan due to the accomplishments of Japanese players in the NBA and the national teams’ success on the world stage.  We believe that launching an NBA Basketball School in Japan will provide an opportunity for many children to become even more familiar with the sport and help them achieve their dreams.”

Nike, an official partner of the NBA Basketball School Japan, will outfit participants and coaches with Nike apparel.

The NBA Basketball School curriculum, which is designed to develop players and provide parents, coaches and organizations with a better understanding of the process of improvement, was created by the NBA’s International Basketball Operations department in consultation with current and former NBA coaches, players and player development specialists.  Since 2017, NBA Basketball Schools have been launched in Australia, Brazil, China, the Dominican Republic, Greece, India, Italy, Kuwait, Lithuania, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Uruguay.

Players and families can learn more about the NBA Basketball School Japan program, including about future programs across the country, by following NBA Basketball School Japan on Instagram @nbabasketballschool_japan.

NBA Rakuten, the one-stop destination for fans in Japan to watch NBA games and programming, currently offers viewers exclusive access to the 2023-24 NBA season.  Officially licensed NBA merchandise is widely available at more than 700 retail stores across the country and through NBAStore.jp, the official online NBA store in Japan.  For all things NBA, fans can visit The Sporting News, the league’s official local digital destination, follow the NBA’s localized social media accounts on Facebook, TikTok, X and “Friend” the NBA’s official account on LINE by adding @nba_global.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.  Built around five professional sports leagues:  the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2023-24 season featured a record 125 international players from 40 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms.  NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.

About ERUTLUC
ERUTLUC, Inc. is committed to providing an environment where more children can become the best they can be, offering basketball development lessons across the country.

In addition, ERUTLUC has established four club teams, each with its own philosophy, providing team coaching and specialized training, injury prevention and care by athletic trainers, support for players by mental trainers, and nutritional training for sportsmen.

ERUTLUC has also released over 20 books, sold a basketball DVD series, and published nearly thousands of drills and webinars on the web to support self-practice and team-practices.

NBA G League Ignite to conclude its final season

NEW YORK – NBA G League Ignite, the league’s owned-and-operated team focused on developing NBA prospects, is concluding its final season, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced today.  The decision to end the program comes amid the changing basketball landscape, including the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy and the advent of collectives and the transfer portal.

Launched in April 2020, G League Ignite has provided a first-of-its-kind development pathway for NBA Draft prospects to hone their skills, learn the professional game and receive a salary and endorsement income ahead of their NBA Draft eligibility.  In Ignite’s first three seasons, the team developed 10 players who were selected in the NBA Draft, including four players taken in the top 10 of their classes.  Ignite also offered a platform for top prospects to showcase their talents in the NBA G League Fall Invitational, which featured premier NBA Draft prospects and international teams such as Victor Wembanyama and the Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (2022) and Alexandre Sarr and the Perth Wildcats (2023).

“Four years ago, we started Ignite to fill a void in the basketball landscape, and I’m proud of the contributions we were able to make to that ecosystem,” said Abdur-Rahim.  “With the changing environment across youth and collegiate basketball, now is the right time to take this step.  I want to extend my sincere gratitude to general manager Anthony McClish, head coach Jason Hart and their staff and to each player who wore an Ignite jersey.  As ever, the G League’s commitment to developing top NBA talent and helping players achieve their NBA dreams is unwavering.”

The 2023-24 Ignite roster features McDonald’s All-Americans and projected top NBA Draft picks Matas Buzelis and Ron Holland.  The team will play its final game on March 28 against the Ontario Clippers.  Nine Ignite veterans are currently in the NBA, including key contributors Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Jalen Green (Houston Rockets), Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers) and 2022 NBA champion Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors).

About the NBA G League
The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory.  Featuring 30 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises and Mexico City’s Capitanes for 2024-25, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.  50 percent of all players on start-of-season 2023-24 NBA rosters boasted NBA G League experience.  In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.

2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game to feature USA Basketball Women’s National Team vs. Team WNBA

NEW YORK – The WNBA announced today that the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will feature a matchup between the WNBA All-Stars who comprise the USA Basketball Women’s National Team versus the remaining WNBA All-Stars. The league’s 20th All-Star Game will be played on Saturday, July 20 (5:30 p.m. PT/8:30 p.m. ET) at Footprint Center in Phoenix, home of the three-time WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury, and air on ABC.

This marks the second time that the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will feature the USA Basketball vs. Team WNBA format. On July 14, 2021, Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale scored a game-high 26 points to lead Team WNBA to a 93-85 win over the USA Basketball Women’s National Team in Las Vegas ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Ogunbowale, then a first-time All-Star, was named MVP.

In addition to celebrating the send-off of WNBA players selected to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will be the centerpiece of two full days packed with WNBA activities.  Additional events will include ESPN’s presentation of the STARRY® WNBA 3-Point Contest and the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge on Friday, July 19 (6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET) at Footprint Center.

Phoenix also will be the site of the third annual WNBA Live presented by U.S. Bank. The league’s two-day fan festival, which will celebrate the intersection of the WNBA, fashion, music and culture, will take place at the Phoenix Convention Center from July 19-20.

Details regarding the selection of the All-Stars will be provided at a later date.  The USA Basketball Women’s National Team will compete for an historic eighth consecutive gold medal in Paris this summer.

Information on tickets to the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game and to the STARRY® WNBA 3-Point Contest and the Kia WNBA Skills Challenge at Footprint Center can be found at wnbaexperiences.com and here.

Basketball Magic names Bret Mactavish as CEP of NBA Basketball School Australia

SYDNEY – Basketball Magic, an Australian-owned sports management company focused on basketball development at the grassroots level, today named Bret Mactavish as CEO of NBA Basketball School Australia.  Mactavish will begin in this new role at the end of May.

NBA Basketball School is a network of tuition-based basketball development programs open to male and female players from outside the U.S. ages 6-18.  Operated by Basketball Magic, NBA Basketball School Australia launched in February 2023 and is located at the state-of-the-art facility at Cranbrook School in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.  Since then, the program has expanded with additional locations at St Philip’s Christian College Newcastle and Kincoppal-Rose Bay at Vaucluse.  As CEO of NBA Basketball School Australia, Mactavish will drive the program’s further expansion across the country in the coming years.

“Bret is uniquely qualified and understands the sport from grassroots to the highest levels of basketball globally, yet he is grounded, genuine and passionate about the positive impact the sport can have on all ages and genders, especially youth,” said NBA Basketball School Australia Managing Director and Owner, Ben O’Neill.  “We have an ambitious strategic growth plan and are confident Bret has the experience, business acumen, and relationship building skills required to lead the NBA Basketball School Australia program.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining NBA Basketball School Australia and am looking forward to working alongside Ben and the team to expand the school’s hubs across the country, which will introduce and inspire the next generation of basketballers through NBA approved programs delivered by passionate coaches,” said Mactavish.  “The opportunity to help grow the NBA brand at the grassroots level in Australia is a special opportunity because I know firsthand the positive impact the NBA has on growing the game no matter where you are in the world.”

Mactavish joins NBA Basketball School Australia after leading Norths Basketball as CEO since June 2022.  Under his leadership, the club won an unprecedented 12 Basketball New South Wales Awards in 2023, including Association of the Year.  Additionally, the Norths NBL1 Women were runners up at the NBL1 National Grand Finals, and the club achieved record levels of sponsorships, including its first principal NBL1 naming rights partner.  Mactavish also reorganised and established a new management team to serve the club’s more than 6,000 members.

In addition to Mactavish’s tenure at Norths Basketball, he brings extensive experience in the basketball industry, having previously served as Director of International Basketball Operations at the NBA, General Manager of Operations for the NBL, Basketball Operations Manager for the WNBA, and Head of Players’ Experience at FIBA.

Pistons’ Evan Fournier fined

NEW YORK – Detroit Pistons guard Evan Fournier has been fined $25,000 for kicking the game ball into the spectator stands, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred following the conclusion of the Pistons’ 104-101 loss to the Miami Heat on March 17 at Little Caesars Arena.

To view the incident, click here.

Glossier renews and expand partnership with WNBA

NEW YORK – Glossier, Inc. and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announced an extension of their marketing partnership, building on a dynamic and innovative collaboration that launched in 2020.

As an Official Beauty Partner of the WNBA, the brand will bring more Glossier to more WNBA athletes and fans by activating at tentpole events and launching WNBA-themed content amplifying players’ voices and stories. Glossier will also be featured across the WNBA’s media partners, platforms and social channels.

“Glossier celebrates beauty in real life and our partnership with the WNBA embodies that philosophy,” said Kyle Leahy, CEO of Glossier. “While we were the league’s first beauty partner, we’re thrilled to see athletes take up more space in beauty. Glossier and the W share a similar spirit, aiming to disrupt the status quo and fueled by a shared passion for what we believe in: our values. I’m excited about the future of our partnership and continuing to lend our platform to these incredible athletes.”

“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Glossier, which has continued to show a strong commitment to the league and WNBA players,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.  “This collaboration between powerful brands demonstrates that visibility and empowerment matter, and that there has never been a better time to support the multidimensional athletes of the WNBA.”

Glossier and the WNBA’s relationship began four years ago as a celebration of the extension of Glossier’s Body Hero line, with the campaign starting in the 2020 WNBA Bubble season and featuring WNBA legend Sue Bird among other players. Since then, Glossier has continued to spotlight a number of the league’s diverse and self-expressive athletes in national promotions and campaigns, most recently featuring the Chicago Sky’s Izzy Harrison, Minnesota Lynx’s Diamond Miller and Natalie Achonwa, Dallas Wings’ Stephanie Soares and Washington Mystics’ Ariel Atkins in their Stretch Complexion campaign. Additionally, the partnership has further evolved to include courtside signage, content collaboration, the gifting of product to players and influencer events at games.

ABOUT GLOSSIER
Glossier Inc. makes products inspired by the people who use them – skincare, makeup, bodycare, and fragrance, optimized for real life. We believe in efficacious formulas that help you look and feel good, thoughtful design, and enabling conversation (which is where it all starts).

ABOUT THE WNBA
The WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12 teams and entering its 28th season in 2024, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content, and community and youth outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it. In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that has charted a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s partnership platform, the WNBA Changemakers Collective, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and inaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural Changemakers Deloitte and NIKE, Inc., and subsequent additions Google, U.S. Bank and CarMax. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing work regarding women’s and maternal health and voting rights, among other important societal issues.

Basketball Africa President Amadou Gallo Fall statement regarding Dynamo Basketball Club

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Basketball Africa League (BAL) President Amadou Gallo Fall today issued the following statement regarding Dynamo Basketball Club’s decision to forfeit its participation in the 2024 BAL season.

“Dynamo Basketball Club (Burundi) has further refused to comply with the Basketball Africa League’s rules and requirements governing jerseys and uniforms, thereby forfeiting today’s game against Petro de Luanda (Angola) and its participation in the 2024 BAL season.  Under FIBA rules, two forfeitures in the same tournament trigger the club’s automatic withdrawal.  This is a very unfortunate situation for the players and fans, and we share the frustrations of everyone involved.  All remaining Kalahari Conference games will be played as scheduled, and we look forward to engaging fans in Pretoria through expanded fan and community events.”

Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert fined

NEW YORK – Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has been fined $100,000 for directing an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official, and publicly criticizing the officiating, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.  The fine takes into account Gobert’s past instances of conduct detrimental to the NBA with regard to publicly criticizing the officiating.

Gobert’s actions took place during and after the Timberwolves’ 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 8 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.