A year round youth basketball development program dedicated to helping young players advance their skills and learn how to compete at higher levels.  The program includes different skill based levels within age groups; supervised staff coaches; multiple practices per week; and game competition in community leagues and tournaments.

Spring/Summer 2024 Season

Boys and Girls Teams - 3rd-8th grades
Multiple teams may be formed within a grade level and grades may be combined as determined appropriate.  Tryouts will be used to determine player placement.  Not all those who tryout are likely to make a team.  The J also offers Spring and Summer Skill Clinics for those who do not make a Triple Threat team or who choose to participate in a clinic instead of trying out for a team.

Team Levels
Triple Threat Select - our most advanced teams.  Select teams will play against high level local competition and players are expected to be committed to their team's schedule.  The Triple Threat Select Season begins the week of March 18 and runs through the end of June.  The month of July is devoted to individual skill development through group training sessions.

Triple Threat - these teams are for those at an intermediate skill level and teams will compete in local leagues or tournaments determined to be at the appropriate competitive level.  Please know that it is possible for teams to face higher level teams depending on game play options.  The Triple Threat season begins the week of March 18 and runs through the end of June.  The month of July is devoted to individual skill development through group training sessions.  

Season Schedule
Tryouts:  March 4-7 (specific schedule to be announced)
Notifications: March 8
Acceptance Deadline: March 14
Practices Begin: The week of March 18; each team will practice twice per week most weeks
Game Play: Games will be played on weekends beginning in early to mid April or later depending on tournament and community league schedules.  Teams will play 12-15 games.
Season ends: June 30

Tryouts
All tryouts take place at The J at 5801 West 115th Street in Overland Park, KS.  There is no charge to tryout but pre-registration is required.  Each age group has two tryout sessions.  Players are encouraged, although not required, to attend both tryout sessions.  Not all those who tryout for a team are likely to make a team.  The J also offers Spring and Summer Skill Clinics for those who do not make a Triple Threat team or who choose to participate in a clinic instead of trying out for a team.

Tryout schedule is as follows: 

Girls 3rd/4th grades  Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6 from 5-6:15 pm in GYM 2
Girls 5th/6th grades Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30-7:45 pm in GYM 2
Girls 7th/8th grades Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6 from 8-9:15 pm in GYM 2

Boys 3rd grade  Tuesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 7 from 5-6:15 pm in GYM 1
Boys 4th grade Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6 from 5-6:15 pm in GYM 1
Boys 5th grade    Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30-7:45 pm in GYM 1
Boys 6th grade Tuesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 7 from 6:30-7:45 pm in GYM 1
Boys 7th grade Tuesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 7 from 8-9:15 pm in GYM 1
Boys 8th grade Monday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 6 from 8-9:15 pm in GYM 1 

Practice and Game Locations
The Triple Threat program uses school gyms within 10-15 minutes of The J for most team practices.  Some teams may practice at The J but this is not the case for all teams.  Games are generally played at gyms in the Shawnee Mission School District although Triple Threat Select Teams may play games throughout the Greater Kansas City metro area and even as far away as Lawrence, Kansas although this is the exception not the norm. 

Program Fees for March - June (includes coaches fees, court fees, game fees, uniform package)
$465 or $360 for J members (payment plans available / $50 sibling discount)
(uniform package included and includes upgraded jersey, short and shooting shirt - uniforms may be reused from one season to the next) 

Meet Jason Sautter, Manager of Youth Basketball Programs at The J
Jason Sautter, our youth basketball program manager comes to The J after decades of coaching and being an administrator at multiple levels including professional, college, high school, and youth basketball. In his career he has been blessed to coach 149 Division I players, 90 professionals, and has been a part 9 championship teams. Jason is married with three children and has a M. Ed. from Harding University.

NEW - 2024 Junior Development Basketball Program
2nd Grade Boys
 New program developed by J Director of Basketball, Jason Sautter. This program is designed for 2nd grade boys with advanced basketball skills who want to refine their skills without having to sacrifice their desire to participate in other Spring sports.  Each weekly session is 90 minutes and includes approximately 45 minutes of skill training and 45 minutes of game play.  Sessions are led by J staff coaches supervised directly by Coach Sautter.

How to determine if a player is ready for this program.
**comfortable dribbling with either hand without looking at the ball
**comfortable shooting layups and medium range jump shots

The J also offers basic skills classes for those looking to develop their basic skills (see opposite page).

SPRING SESSION: March 17 - May 19 (program does not meet on March 31)
All sessions take place at The J on Sundays from 4:30-6 pm (May 5 will be 5:30-7 pm).
Fee:  $185 or $125 with J member discount