Coach Sumner of the JCC Kenny Goldman Basketball League makes sure that his players balance school and basketball. He takes the time to tutor his team members when they need help with class work because Sumner recognizes that academics come first. Not only does he focus on the development of his team, but he is there to help the league grow as a whole.
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year program recognizes member coaches who stand out, both on and off the court, exemplify and teach the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA S.T.A.R.qualities (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, positive Attitude, Respect) and represent the hard work and dedication that make youth sports a rewarding developmental experience for players, parents, officials and other coaches. Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches of the Year were chosen from member leagues throughout the United States and Canada as well as abroad.
�There were hundreds of worthy candidates, highlighting both the success of the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA program and the passion, commitment and excellence that youth coaches bring to kids in representing the goals of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA,� said Kathy Behrens senior vice president NBA Community and Player Programs.
Earlier this season, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA member league directors around the world had the opportunity to nominate up to three coaches (male or female) from their league as a 2005-06 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coach of the Year. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Selection Committee evaluated the coaches on eight categories including preparation, teaching and ethics. The committee also examined the league directors� evaluation forms and letters from parents, players or other coaches associated with the nominee.
�The leadership of these coaches has provided a positive example of sportsmanship and teamwork for youngsters to learn from and practice on and off of the court,� said Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics Head Coach and Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Advisory Council Member.
The following coaches were selected as the 2005-06 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Coaches of the Year:
| Market | Nominee's Name | Organization | City | State |
| Atlanta | Craig Hubbard | Glynn County Recreation & Parks | Brunswick | GA |
| Boston | Charles Burns | Newport Recreation Department | Newport News | RI |
| Charlotte | Maurice Crawford | West Gastonia Boys & Girls Club | Gastonia | NC |
| Chicago | Martin Tate | Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks | Branson | MO |
| Cleveland | Andres Gonzalez | Brook Park Recreation Center | Brook Park | OH |
| Connecticut | Mike Shane | Hamden Regional Youth Basketball League | Hamden | CT |
| Dallas | Prentice Richmond | Roseland Community Center | Dallas | TX |
| Denver | James Cates | Peterson Air Force Base | Peterson AFB | CO |
| Detroit | Corry Sumner | JCC of Metro Detroit | West Bloomfield | MI |
| Golden State | Anthony Baldalzo | Pittsburg Jr. Warriors Basketball | Pittsburgh | CA |
| Houston | Arkez Harris | NYBL | Houston | TX |
| Indiana | Rob Hayden | Riverside Youth Basketball | Indianapolis | IN |
| LA Clippers | Sandra Vargas | Hubert H. Humphrey R.C. | Pacoima | CA |
| LA Lakers | Marcus D. Johnson | Hickam Air Force Base Youth Sports & Fitness | Hickam Air Force Base | HI |
| Memphis | Kelly Loop | Boys & Girls Club of the Arkansas River Valley | Russellville | AR |
| Miami | Milor Dagobert | Lauderhill/Lauderdale Lakes YMCA | Lauderhill | FL |
| Milwaukee | William Smith | D.W. Wildcats | Milwaukee | WI |
| Minnesota | Greg Maehren | Minneapolis Parks & Recreation | Minneapolis | MN |
| New Jersey | Marian Torrisi | Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Englewood Cliffs | NJ |
| New Orleans | Reuben Burd | Upward Basketball | Biloxi | MS |
| New York | William Thomas | Primetime of North America | New York | NY |
| Orlando | Vince Pyrce | Melbourne PAL | Melbourne | FL |
| Philadelphia | Robyn Rawles | La Liga del Barrio | Philadelphia | PA |
| Phoenix | Thomas Phillips | SW Valley Regional YMCA | Goodyear | AZ |
| Portland | Curtis Waite | Klamath Falls YMCA | Klamath Falls | OR |
| San Antonio | Justin Roach | Pizza Hut/Spurs Drug Free Youth Basketball League (PAL) | San Antonio | TX |
| Sacramento | Greg Nathanson | JFSR | Sacramento | CA |
| Seattle | Jeff Suskay | Fort Lewis / McChord | McChord AFB | WA |
| Toronto | Dave Winters | Queen of Peace After School Basketball Program | Happy Valley Goose Bay | NL |
| Washington | Joe Braford | Fluvanna County Parks & Recreation | Fork Union | VA |
| Europe | Kelli Moon | The Hayesbrook School | Tonbridge, Kent | England |
The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA provides materials to players, parents, coaches and officials created by a distinguished group of experts, including nationally-recognized youth sports expert Rick Wolff, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), nutritionist, Dr. Jackie Berning, and the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA Advisory Council comprised of Ray Allen (Seattle Supersonics), Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings), Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Danny Crawford (NBA Official), Lisa Mattingly (WNBA Official), Suzie McConnell Serio (head coach of the Minnesota Lynx), Doc Rivers (head coach of the Boston Celtics), Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) and Bill Walton (Hall-of-Famer and ABC/ESPN analyst).
NBA Cares is the league's global community outreach initiative that builds on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues. Over the next five years, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities around the world, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play. NBA Cares will work with internationally-recognized youth-serving programs that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes including: UNICEF; Reading Is Fundamental; Boys and Girls Clubs of America; Charities Aid Foundation; American/International Red Cross; Feed the Children, and many others.