So Much More Than A Game

The Importance Of Youth Basketball

99 Stories of Community Series | 3/99

Did you know that basketball was invented at the YMCA? That’s right! The game so many have come to love was invented in December 1891 at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts by James Naismith, a physical education instructor.  While the game has come a long way from peach baskets nailed to gymnasium walls, the game is still a beloved sport across communities worldwide. Founded at the YMCA, an organization built around the concept of helping people build healthy Spirit, Mind, and Body, basketball fits right into that mission, helping youth grow to their greatest potential. 

The Santa Monica Family YMCA is proudly partnered with the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation. Our Junior Lakers Youth Basketball League is focused on helping youth develop their fundamental skills, while teaching teamwork, building confidence, and strengthening character. Our league, driven by our generous and dedicated volunteer coaches, seeks to meet every athlete where they are at and support them making improvements season over season.

What’s Special About Basketball at the Santa Monica YMCA

Leading with Character Development, our Junior Lakers Youth Basketball League helps athletes develop their skills while also building their sense of confidence and belonging. Our volunteer coaches dedicate their time to helping each athlete on their team feel seen, providing positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the season. 

Many of our coaches grew up playing basketball at the YMCA themselves, passing their passion for the sport down to the next generation. This passion and support from positive role models can be pivotal for youth, helping them find their voice and sense of self. What happens on the court between games and practices is transformative, giving young athletes the support they need to grow into their potential. From our volunteer coaches to the supportive families cheering on the athletes throughout the season, Junior Lakers Youth Basketball is community-based league focused on helping every athlete grow. If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of Youth Basketball at The Y, we invite you to be a part of the magic this season, as an athlete, a coach, or a fan (click here to learn more)!

Interested in becoming a YMCA Youth Basketball Coach?

Celebrating our Athletes

From our Spring 2026 Season, we are pleased to highlight athletes for their strong Character. The Excellence in Character Award is the highest honor in our League, recognizing an athlete who consistently demonstrates sportsmanship, respect, teamwork, leadership, effort, and positive attitude.  The Spring 2026 Excellence in Character Award goes to Krishna A (pictured with his family, Ravi, Rashmi, and Nanda). Congratulations, Krishna!

In addition to the Excellence in Character Award, we name an All-Character Team, highlighting athletes from each division for their strong character and commitment to teamwork.

• Platinum Division: Krishna A
• Gold Division: Auggie F
• Silver Division: Olivia W
• Bronze Division: Cam F
• Copper Division: Soraya K

Congratulations to our All-Character Team Athletes and their families!

Each season, we also celebrate the league’s Most Improved Player. Athletes recognized for this award consistently show up, work hard, listen to their coach, dedicate time to practicing, and refuse to give up. We are happy to award the Most Improved Player to Jonathan B. (pictured with his family, Zerfu, Yamrot, and Joseph). Congratulations, Jonathan!

In addition to the Most Improved Player Award, we name a Most Improved Team, highlighting athletes from each division for their effort and spirit of determination over the past season.

• • Platinum Division: Niam P
  • Gold Division: Jonathan B
  • Silver Division: George B
  • Bronze Division: Hodge P
  • Copper Division: Abigail W

  Congratulations to our Most Improved Team Athletes and their families!

Why Basketball is So Much More that Points on a Scoreboard

One former Youth Basketball Athlete shared her Y Basketball story with us: “Passion for basketball was something my grandma passed down to me as soon as I could walk, having us dribble in and out of coke cans in the kitchen. But when I first started playing ball at the YMCA, my coach (shout out to Mike Williams!) was the first person who helped me really believe in myself. He was a coach first, but the way he mentored and helped to build our confidence over the season meant so much to me. It was like he held a mirror up to each of his athletes and helped us see just how much progress we were making week after week, reminding us to be proud of the effort we put in even if the outcome wasn’t the winning basket every week. As a kid, I had a hard home life, but none of that didn’t matter in the gym. I got to show up and be seen as an equal teammate, the only thing asked of me was that I showed up for my team – that changed things for me. Through basketball at the YMCA, I learned good sportsmanship, sure, but more than that I learned how to be a good teammate, how to take pride when I see my own improvement, I found confidence & agency, and I learned how to lead with my values on and off the court because Coach modeled that for us. It’s been 20 years since I saw Coach Williams, but I know the positive impact he made on my life will last forever. I’m so grateful for Coach William’s leadership and what the culture of basketball at the YMCA gave me. Thank you!”

History of the Game

James Naismith was tasked with creating an indoor winter game, less prone to injury than football, to keep students active and well-behaved. Naismith nailed two peach baskets to the gymnasium balconies and used a soccer ball, and that’s how the game was born!  The new game was an immediate hit. Springfield Training School educated students from all over the world; when students traveled home, they took the game with them back to their local YMCAs. The YMCA’s vast network of branches served as the primary vehicle for the sport’s global expansion, allowing it to transition from a localized winter distraction into a worldwide phenomenon.

This year, we will be sharing ninety-nine stories of impact this year through our Anchored in Community celebration, lifting up stories of our community members as we celebrate the Santa Monica Family YMCA’s 99th year of consistent service. Collected from our volunteers, members, program participants, to our community partners, we will be sharing stories that remind us what is possible when you anchor yourself in community, something you can always find at the Y. If you are interested in sharing your YMCA story and being a part of the 99 Stories of Community series, please fill out this form!

We invite you to follow along as we share these stories of impact, belonging, and purpose. Thank you for being a part of our community!