2010-2011 Jr. Knicks League
Presented by Sprite & Footlocker

The New York Knicks, Sprite and Foot Locker are partnering with the YMCA of Greater New York, New York City Parks & Recreation's 'Millennium Winter Basketball League' and the City Wide Athletic Association to give over 9,000 children, boys & girls ages 7-18, a chance to play organized basketball in league format. The program consists of instruction, skill development, league play, Knicks clinics and trips to Madison Square Garden to attend Knicks games, play on the Garden floor and meet Knicks players & Legends. Junior Knicks League completion takes place from January - August at:

• 48 YMCA's for 5,000 participants
• 18 NYC Parks & Recreation locations throughout the 5 boroughs for 1,000 participants/80 teams
• Over 1,000 Junior Knicks League players will participate in ten Junior Knicks basketball clinics with appearances by former Knicks players such as John Starks, Allan Houston, Cal Ramsey, John Wallace, Charles Smith and Anthony Bonner and former WNBA All-Star Kym Hampton.
• 200+ Jr. Participants played games at Madison Square Garden in front of 18,000+ spectators at half times of eight Knicks games that took place during the 2010-11 season.

Summer 2011: City Wide Athletic Association, Inc. currently operating in its 46th year, will once again produce a summer youth division of the Junior Knicks program for 1,000 children ages 10 - 18 on weekends from July 16th through September 11th, 2011. This league features events in Brooklyn, Harlem, New Jersey and Westchester and is primarily run out of legendary Raymond Bush Playground aka "Soul in The Hole" Park in Brooklyn located on Madison Street at Marcus Garvey Boulevard. The park, dating back 50 years, was originally known as The Isiah Butler Playground. A group of former players and community leaders petitioned local officials and the park was renamed Raymond Bush Playground in 1973. Raymond Bush conducted and organized programs, summer leagues, clinics, etc in the park, and was a tremendous youth activist who was the glue of the community. But still, it is only referred to as "Soul in The Hole" where virtually every Brooklynite of note became high school, collegiate and NBA stars.

The Summer of 2011 kicked off the Junior Knicks League presented by Sprite / Footlocker held at the legendary Raymond Bush Playground (Soul in the Hole) in Brooklyn. The league, hosted by the City Wide Athletic Association, is always a destination for teams and spectators from all over the country. In addition to the regular season, championship playoffs, and the inter-league All-Star games, City Wide teams hosted inter-city events including barbecues featuring youth teams from Memphis, Tn., New Jersey, Newburgh, NY and teams from Rucker Park. City Wide teams also traveled to Rucker Park for an afternoon of inter-borough competition. City Wide Director, Howie Evans, praised the Knicks, Sprite and Footlocker for their continued support which allowed parents, players, and spectators to all get a little out of the summer program. The participation from the parents, former players, and the NYC Department of Parks, made for a diversified summer fostering positive relationships. The championships were held in September to what was the conclusion of a fantastic summer. Be sure to check the photo gallery for all of the action.