NBA's Role in Youth Development

In Clive Gibson’s Peak Performance, a book about successful sports organizations and their organizational processes, a chapter about Bayern Munich discusses German soccer and the involvement of the German National program and the Bundesliga teams in youth player development; the national team and professional teams actively assist elite player development at the youth levels, as these players one day will represent Germany and be featured in the Bundesliga, so future and continued success is dependent of these players. “They are creating the future through investment in infrastructure, continuity and community,” (Gibson, 187).

The German Football Federation works aggressively to recruit the best athletes to soccer, rather than other sports like basketball or handball. United States basketball does not suffer from lack of participation, nor do any sports present competition that would limit the number of basketball players or fans, so grassroots development for the sake of sustaining the sport is not a vital role of the Association.

However, should the NBA assist in the development of the next generation of players? Should NBA teams make an investment (money, leadership, education) to basketball development in order to sustain a quality product?

Currently, the NBA has a minimal role, providing its name for some local programs and donating money to some youth organizations to assist with programs, while running one summer camp for elite players. This question is not to knock the NBA for failing to contribute to community good, as the NBA has several organizations, like the Read to Achieve and Basketball Without Borders, which it supports.

But, do NBA teams have a responsibility to be more involved with the development of future players? And, if so, what role should NBA teams take? In a recent blog entry, I challenged shoe companies to use its resources for the betterment of basketball, not just the recruitment of adolescent superstars: