Jr. NBA Basketball Draft Event in Glasgow

Kingsford is one of five very lucky schools in Aberdeen City to be part of a new Basketball initiative – Basketball Scotland’s Jr. NBA Basketball League for 2018-2019.

On Monday, two Primary Seven pupils (who had been in the team last year and this year) represented the team at the Jr. NBA Draft Event in Glasgow.  The children travelled by train with Mr Bain and Mrs MacBeath, who coach the team every Thursday.

The purpose of the Draft Event was to find out which American team Kingsford would be representing in this League. The American teams were allocated to schools like names pulled out of a hat based on their region. Aberdeen City is to represent teams from the Atlantic Region of the NBA so there were five possible teams we could be playing as. The team that was pulled out by our P7s was the Brooklyn Nets which we were really happy to receive. Our P7 pupils received a Brooklyn Nets kit on stage from two Commonwealth & GB Basketball Players – Hannah who plays from Caledonia Pride & Kieran who plays for the Glasgow Rocks.

The Draft Event was a good opportunity for our pupils to meet other pupils playing in the League. You’ll see photos of about 10 or 12 children who are all from Aberdeen schools. However, overall there are 30 schools from across Scotland. Initially Kingsford (AKA the Brooklyn Nets) will play the Aberdeen City schools and depending on how well we get on, we might play schools from across Scotland – keep your fingers and toes crossed!

After finding out our NBA Team, the pupils participated in a practical session led by an NBA coach. The session involved using newspapers and tennis balls so the children got to try out lots of new things! Later into the session they also got to use basketballs.

The event was held in two different locations. The teams were announced in Glasgow City Chambers – a beautiful building inside and out. The inside of the building is made with marble – you’ll see the marble staircase in some photos. The practical session was held close by at Strathclyde University Sports Centre.