The NBA is expected to boost NBA team involvement to help expand the Jr. NBA World Championship's reach after this month's inaugural tournament attracted 317 boys and girls held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The new event likely will return to Orlando next season and marks the league’s increasing involvement in youth basketball. Last week's championship was broadcast by Fox as part of a three-year deal with the NBA. “It exceeded our expectations that were already high,” said NBA President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs Kathy Behrens. “There is no question that we are already thinking of what more we can do next year. One thing that we are focused on is making sure our teams are more involved in the qualifying events and we are also focused on growing the girls participation. Getting our teams more involved will be an important aspect in year two and beyond.” Behrens added that the league will keep the August date for the event next year. “We think August is the right time and our plan is to go back,” she said. The most-viewed telecast of the inaugural event was Fox’ U.S. Boys’ title game on Saturday night, which drew 462,000 viewers. Fox on Saturday aired around 9 hours and 40 minutes of coverage from the Jr. NBA World Championship, marking the title for most hours produced for a live sporting event in a single day on Fox. The following day, Fox drew 434,000 viewers for the global title game.
