NBA Guidelines: Don't Focus On Just Basketball Before Age 14

The best thing young players can do for their basketball careers is not play too much basketball.

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They should participate in other sports and delay specializing in just basketball until they are at least 14 years old. They should also take at least one day off from organized competition each week and extended time off at least once a year for proper physical and mental recovery.

Those were among the guidelines announced Monday by the NBA and USA Basketball to begin Jr. NBA Week. The Jr. NBA is the league’s youth basketball participation program for boys and girls ages 6-14. The research and recommendations come from panels of medical experts, former players, and coaches and administrators throughout basketball.

They found that athletes who have the most success played multiple sports at a young age and didn’t focus on a specific one until late adolescence.

“The idea of sampling and participating in other sports does not mean you’re getting behind,” said Dr. John DiFiori, NBA director of sports medicine and UCLA team physician. “They actually provide a strong foundation for success in your sport.”