Local youths will have the opportunity to participate in the Jr. NBA Basketball League at Veterans Park Recreation Center this summer.

The Jr. NBA Basketball League, in partnership with Lee County Parks & Recreation, will host a Summer Basketball League from June 11 to July 31.

Registration is now open for kids ages 5-14.

The Jr. NBA is the official youth basketball participation program of the NBA, and open to all levels.

“The Jr. NBA is for boys and girls just starting out in the game, and at any skill level. Our goal is to help them develop a lifelong passion for the game of basketball by teaching them the fundamentals of the sport while instilling core values including teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship,” Coach Quran Pettyjohn said.

Pettyjohn or Coach Q, as he’s better known, is also the Head Basketball Coach at the new Gateway High School. In his first season, he helped the first-year Gateway boy’s team recently navigate to a district championship

The J. NBA Basketball League will hold all practices and games for the program on Saturdays and Sundays inside the gymnasium at Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road South, Lehigh Acres.

“During the summer program we’ll cover the basics of the game including: how to dribble; shoot, layout and play in a proper team setting,” Coach Q said. “Each team will have between 7 – 10 players on each team. Each age group will have a 2 hour window for practices, followed by a game to put into play what they’ve learned.”

Registration is $60 per participant. There is also a $10 individual facility membership requirement to participate.

The practices and games will be held at Veterans Park Recreation Center gymnasium, 55 Homestead Road S., on Saturdays and Sundays.

Boys and girls will be taught the fundamentals of the sport, while instilling such core values as teamwork, respect and sportsmanship.

Supervisor Rebecca Flora said they are registering 40 kids per age group. The groups will consist of 5-6 year olds; 7-8 year olds; 9-10 year olds; 11-12 year olds and 13-14 year olds.

Kids 5-10 years old will practice and play games on Saturday with 5-6 year olds playing from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; 7-8 year olds from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 9-10 year olds playing from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. On Sunday the 11 and 12 year olds will play from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 13-14 year olds will play from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Flora said there will be nine to 10 players per team and will practice and play their game during the time slotted for their age group. The first game will start on June 25.

She said they are also looking for 20 volunteer coaches to help with the league.

Those who have a background in the game are encouraged to contact Coach Quran Pettyjohn at 239-603-9257, or email quranpettyjohn@gmail.com or call the Veterans Park Recreation Center at 239-369-1521.