Youth Basketball
It All Started at the Y!
When Dr. James Naismith was a young faculty member at the YMCA International Training School in Massachusetts, he was charged with instructing a group of young men who had little to no interest in the common calisthenics exercises of the day, so he set about developing a new game that would draw their attention and provide the physical activity needed to keep them healthy.
Taking inspiration from other team games, Dr. Naismith created a team sport with a peach basket and a soccer ball played indoors on hardwood. The group loved it, and the game was born. On December 21, 1891, the first-ever game of basketball was played.
The YMCA continues this tradition more than a century later. Basketball at the Y promotes life skills through the value of teamwork, sportsmanship, communication and exercise.
Youth Basketball League
Our Co-ed Youth Basketball League offers a program where participants will be included on teams and play games against one another. Our leagues provide the chance for every player to develop their discipline, sportsmanship, strength and endurance. While practices are geared toward strengthening your child’s individual skills, game time emphasizes each player’s understanding of the sport, game rules and team competition. Y volunteer coaches will focus on developing a sense of teamwork in a setting that encourages fun, healthy, age-appropriate competition. By the end of the season, your child will have gained a better understanding of the sport, its rules and the basic skills. YMCA youth recreational basketball leagues play with modified rules for each age division.
Youth Basketball runs year-round, four seasons per year. Games are held on Saturdays or Sundays, with practice held once per week, on weekdays.
TEAM ASSIGNMENTS
Registration for the Spring Season of Junior Lakers Youth Basketball will close on April 12th. Team assignments will be sent out to families the week of April 13th before practices begin on the week of April 20th. All basketball games will take place at the Santa Monica Family YMCA on Saturdays during the season.
We’re looking forward to another incredible season of learning teamwork, building confidence, and strengthening character. See you on the court!
SPRING YOUTH BASKETBALL SEASON RUNS
APRIL 20TH, 2026 – JUNE 21ST, 2026
The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation are proud partners with the Santa Monica Family YMCA Youth Basketball League.
Free Play
The Y also offers opportunity for pick-up basketball at several locations association-wide. View the gymnasium schedule on the home page of your local YMCA for free play time.
