Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Court of Leaders introduces its latest cohort group

Jackson, Tenn.

Nyla

Brooks

Waldorf, Md.

Ryan

Carter

Glenside, Penn.

Cayden

Daughtery

Lake Worth, Fla.

Sanai

Green

Mechanicsville, Va.

Saniyah

Hall

Cleveland

Lauren

Hassell

Clarksville, Tenn.

Babatunde “Baba”

Oladotun

Silver Spring, Md.

Clarence “CJ”

Rosser

Rocky Mount, N.C.

Eden

Vinyard

Detroit

“I’m interested in joining the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Court of Leaders for so many reasons, but to share a couple of particulars, I would say it’s due to being able to make a difference in the lives of people,” said Saniyah Hall, a member of the cohort.

“The organization allows us to play a huge role at pivotal points in the lives of our youth. The organization also assists me in helping individuals find their way in this world and impacting them positively.”

Throughout the year, they will also participate in unique learning opportunities. This summer, the Court of Leaders visited New York City for a week of events that included on-court workouts with professional coaches Phil Handy and Edniesha Curry, workshops on filmmaking and sports analytics, as well as social activities like pickleball and bowling.

Jaxon Richardson, a class of ’26 recruit from Miami’s Columbus High School, joined the Court of Leaders in 2023.

“I learned a lot,” Jaxon Richardson said. “The pace you have to dribble at, the pace you have to play the game at — you’ve got to come in there ready to work,” talking about his time at the workout led by Handy and Curry.

Each member is also assigned a mentor from across the NBA, WNBA or NBA G League office to expand their understanding of career opportunities by introducing cohort leaders to other parts of the game off the court. Mentors attend games and events and maintain weekly connections with them and their families.

Jaxon Richardson was paired up with Cheikh N’Diaye, an associate manager within fan engagement at the NBA.

“He’s taught me a lot,” Richardson said. “He showed me what they do, all the jobs they have. Taught me to always participate, be active, because you can learn something new that can help you every day… And he just told me to be a good leader, keep my head up and just focus.”

Haynes’ ultimate goal for the Court of Leaders is to help every single potential prospect that comes through the program to be successful in whatever it is that they pursue.

This is evident in many of the cohort’s alumni, including UCLA freshman Kendall Dudley. She was a member of the first cohort who later established a nonprofit organization, The Gear Give Back. Dudley earned the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award at the 2022 ESPY Awards.

“Kendall was really active in everything that we did and is someone who really took advantage of her time in the program,” Haynes said.

This is also true of other alumni, like JJ Mandaquit, who served as a voting panel member for the NBA’s 2024 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award (Dudley did likewise in 2022). Mandaquit ran a t-shirt campaign in which the proceeds went to charity supporting wildfire containment efforts as a way of helping those impacted by the Hawaii wildfires.

Several of the new members shared what joining the Court of Leaders means to them:

 Eden Vinyard, [Detroit | Class of 2027]

 

“What made me excited to join the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Court of Leaders program was getting to meet people I’ve only seen on the internet, and meeting people with similar interests as me.”

 

Lauren Hassell [Clarksville, Tenn. |

Class Of 2027]

 

“When I got invited to join the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Court of Leaders, I was excited about meeting other amazing athletes and getting to know them as people as well. Everyone knows how good we are the court, but being able to get invited to this leadership program tells others about us as people too. It was such an amazing and great opportunity to meet great people, see beautiful places, build relationships with other people, and have fun with others while growing other.”

Nyla Brooks [Waldorf, Md. | Class Of 2025]

 

“Joining the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Court of Leaders excites me because I’ve seen so many incredible players before me leverage this platform to give back to their community. Their commitment to motivating future athletes, as well as their passion for the game, resonates with me. I’m eager to follow in their footsteps, sharing my experiences to help shape the future of basketball while encouraging the next generation to pursue their dreams both on and off the court.”