NYO BOYS BASKETBALL

For over 40 years, our boys’ basketball program has been an integral part of the NYO experience during the winter months.  Our program in Chastain Park is considered the best recreational basketball program in the city, and boasts nearly 650 players over eight, grade based leagues.  With a focus on TEAM basketball and skill development, the leagues are structured so that teams are balanced, and players receive substantial playing time in a competitive and organized learning environment.  In addition to our gymnasium at the park, our teams practice and play games in several other local gyms in the neighborhood.  

In conjunction with NYO’s mission, our boys’ basketball program emphasizes character development, sportsmanship, healthy competition, and positive coaching.

DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE / 1ST GRADE

The Developmental League is designed to provide players with a proper introduction to the game of basketball, and instill a fundamental base of skills.  The league is open to boys in the first grade and teams will average two events per week (Fridays and Saturdays). The Developmental League sessions will focus on skill development and incorporate competitions (3v3, 4v4 and 5v5) throughout the program. This league plays on 8.5’ hoops with a size 28.5 basketball.  All Developmental League practices and games are at NYO.  The season runs from the beginning of November through the middle of February.

ROOKIE LEAGUE / 2ND GRADE

The Rookie League is designed to continue the fundamental focus of the Developmental League while building a more in-depth offensive and defensive knowledge and skills.  The league is open to boys in the second grade and teams will average two events per week (practices and games).  Each team will carry no more than nine players, and every player will play in at least half of each game (6 minute quarters).  Games are played on 9’ hoops with a size 28.5 basketball.  All Rookie League practices and games are located at NYO.  Teams must play man-to-man defense for the entire game, and full court pressure is not allowed.  The season runs from the beginning of October through the middle of February.

A LEAGUE / 3RD GRADE

The A League is the first league where teams play on the “Big Court” at NYO.  The league is open to boys in the third grade and teams will average three events per week (practices and games).  Each team will carry no more than eight players, and every player will play in at least half of each game (6 minute quarters).  Games are played on 10’ hoops with a size 28.5 basketball.  Teams must play man-to-man defense for the entire game, and full court pressure is permitted in the last two minutes of each half.  The season runs from the beginning of October through the middle of February.

AA LEAGUE / 4TH GRADE

Players make the transition to regulation baskets in the AA League.  The league is open to boys in the fourth grade and teams will average three events per week (practices and games).  Each team will carry no more than eight players, and every player will play in at least half of each game (6 minute quarters).  Games are played on 10′ hoops with a size 28.5 basketball.  Teams must play man-to-man defense for the entire game, and full court pressure is permitted in the last two minutes of each half.  The season runs from the beginning of November through the middle of February.

AAA LEAGUE / 5TH GRADE

The AAA League represents a major transitional year in the NYO basketball program.  The league is open to boys in the fifth grade, and teams will average three events per week (practices and games).  Beginning in the AAA League, teams are required to play man-to-man defense in the first and third quarters, and may play any defense in the second and fourth quarters.  The AAA League also represents the first time in the NYO program when teams may apply full at any point during a game.  These rules, beginning in the AAA League, give our players the opportunity to experience a variety of offensive and defensive schemes.  Games will be played on 10’ hoops with a size 28.5 basketball.  Each team will carry no more than eight players, and every player will play in at least half of each game (7 minute quarters).  The season runs from the beginning of November through the middle of February.

MAJORS / 6TH & 7TH GRADE

The Major League represents another transitional year, as our players will play with a men’s regulation size 29.5 basketball for the first time.  The league is open to boys primarily in the sixth grade, but it will also include some seventh graders.  Teams will average three events per week (practices and games).  In the Major League, teams are required to play man-to-man defense in the first and third quarters, and may play any defense in the second and fourth quarters.  Full court pressure is permitted at any point during the game.  These rules, give our players the opportunity to experience a variety of offensive and defensive schemes.  Games are played on 10’ hoops with a full size (29.5) mens basketball.  Each team will carry no more than eight players, and every player will play in at least half of each game (8 minute quarters).  The season runs from the beginning of November through the middle of February.

X LEAGUE / 6TH & 7TH GRADE

The X League was developed several years ago to enhance competitiveness as our players reach middle school.  The league is composed of mostly seventh graders, but it will also consist of twelve to twenty sixth graders.  This league is an excellent complement to playing on a middle school basketball team because each team will carry no more than eight players, and every player will play in at least half of each game (8 minute quarters).  In the X League, teams are required to play man-to-man defense in the first and third quarters, and may play any defense in the second and fourth quarters.  Full court pressure is permitted at any point during the game.  These rules, give our players the opportunity to experience a variety of offensive and defensive schemes.  Games are played on 10’ hoops with a full size (29.5) mens basketball.

SENIOR LEAGUE / 8TH & 9TH GRADE

The Senior League is the final stop in the NYO Boys’ Basketball program, and it is open to boys in the eighth and ninth grades.  This league is an excellent complement to playing on a middle school or JV basketball team because each team will carry no more than eight players, and every player will play in at least half of each game (8 minute quarters).  In the Senior League, teams may play ANY defense at any time, and full court pressure is permitted at any point during the game.  Games are played on 10’ hoops with a full size (29.5) mens basketball.  The season runs from the beginning of November through the middle of February.

2021-22 BOYS BASKETBALL KEY DATES::