There are different routes into the sport throughout education, including primary and secondary school, colleges and university
You're never too young, or old, to get into basketball and give it a try.
At various stages of education, there are a number of routes into the game. Take a look at the list below for further information.
Primary School Basketball
Slam Jam
Slam Jam is Basketball England’s official junior programme designed for children aged between 7 and 11 years old.
The programme is designed to provide a great first experience to the sport in a fun, safe and engaging atmosphere. Slam Jam not only focuses on basketball related activity, but it also aims to improve the physical literacy and fundamentals of movement for all participants.
School Games
The School Games is a national programme that feels different in every community, by making sure activities meet local needs, including through basketball.
Secondary School Basketball
Dynamik National Schools Competition
The Dynamik National Schools Competition is a league with age groups from Under 14 to Under 19 for both girls and boys across England.
This gives every age group in secondary school the chance to compete outside of their normal PE classes.
Jr. NBA
The Jr. NBA League was created for 11-13 year old (Year 7 and Year 8) boys and girls to play basketball and represent one of the 30 NBA teams. The league is organised and operated by Basketball England in partnership with the NBA.
Our objective is to leverage the excitement of the NBA to inspire more children to get involved in basketball through a fun and positive experience with the sport. The league also aims to promote NBA values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, attitude, respect and healthy living through league games and other activities and events.
Academy and College Basketball
We partner with the Association of Colleges Sport (AoC Sport) who looks after sport in colleges all over the country and run leagues and events which are supported by us.
That includes the EABL and WEABL, providing elite junior basketball competitions featuring the top Under 19 programmes in the country.
Rebranded in 2022, The College Basketball League (CBL) also sits beneath the EABL and WEABL.
Find Out More About the EABLFind Out More About the WEABLFind Out More About the CBL
University basketball
If you’re at university and want to play basketball, chances are you will play in one of the British Universities & Colleges Sport, or BUCS, leagues. They are all about enhancing a student’s experience through sport.
The BUCS basketball programme has over 300 teams entered from over 120 institutions, making it a popular option across the country.
Leagues are played from October to March and lead into a number of high-profile knock out competitions.
Some university sides also enter other competitions, such as the NBL or WNBL, and expose their players to a number of competitive and development opportunities.