FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cypress NJB (CNJB) is an affiliate of National Junior Basketball headquartered in Anaheim, California.  NJB is a program designed to introduce, teach, and develop the fundamentals of basketball to our local youth.  Of primary emphasis is sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy competition.  We are a volunteer organization, with an established history in Cypress, that depends on community support to successfully operate our program which provides an exceptional environment for more than 300 local children.

Registration can only be completed on-line via our website this year.

Registration reminders should be e-mailed out in August to all returning players, in addition to a reminder postcard in the mail.

On-line registration via the Internet is now the only registration method.

No walk-up days will be scheduled this year due to very low turnout last year.

The Player Registration fee this year is $139 compared to last year's registration fee + candy buyout amount of $147.  This year the registration fee includes a reduced candy buyout amount automatically.  NO additional candy sales are required!  You must fill out the registration forms on-line, print and bring them with you to Player Evaluation Day on Sunday, October 7th.   More information regarding times and location will be posted on the website.

Registrations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis until the league is full.

Volunteers willing to Head Coach or serve as a board member will be given priority registration.

Divisional Play is our regular league offering three divisions of competitive play for boys and girls in the 3rd through 8th grades.  Play is conducted in gymnasiums with referees and a scoreboard.  Teams usually practice 1-2 times per week at any of our local outdoor facilities.

The All-Net Program is a division of NJB created to provide a more competitive and organized level of youth basketball, designed to prepare boys and girls in the 5th through 8th grade for high school level competition.  Teams primarily consist of All-Star caliber players and travel to play against teams from other Southern California NJB Chapters.  Players attend try-outs and must be selected to join a team.  Registration is handled through NJB Headquarters.

No.  With the exception of All-Net, players are allowed to register and play for the NJB Chapter of their choice.

We are limited by gymnasium time.  Cypress has no community gymnasiums.

Our only local sources are the High School pr other available indoor facilities which limit availability to Sundays.

We schedule as many games as possible between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

All Div 1, 2, & 3 players must attend a Player Evaluation where each player will be run through a series of drills.  Experienced coaches rate each child during each drill.  The numbers are totaled resulting in an overall score which will be used during the Draft process.

Division 3:        Grades 3 & 4

Division 2:        Grades 5 & 6

Division 1:        Grades 7 & 8

Players may play up 1 grade level with approval of the Board of Directors.

Playing up two grade levels is not permitted under any circumstances.

Player Evaluations are essential to our goal of creating equally balanced teams.

Do I have to attend?

YES, all players are STRONGLY asked to participate, even if you are on the Waiting List.

What if I can’t?

If for some reason, a player does not receive an evaluation he/she will need to attend the makeup evaluations which are on the night of their respective drafts.  If this is missed, the player may also be able to receive a score on Player Draft night from a coach who is familiar with his/her play.

1) Each coach randomly receives a Team Number which represents their selection order.

2) For a 10 team draft, Team #1 picks first, Team #2 picks second, etc, thru Team #10.

3) Selection resumes with Team #10 selecting, then Team #9, etc, thru Team #1.

4) The selection process continues in a serpentine fashion until the teams are filled.

5) A coach and assistant coach may only “reserve” their own son/daughter, but they will be placed in the draft based on the evaluations from the other coaches.

6) Teams with less than 10 players will be assigned new players, in the draft order, as registration permits.

Coaches will begin contacting players after the Player Draft in mid/late October.

PLEASE give coaches time to contact you.

Though some teams MAY begin practicing November 1st, many will not.

Your particular coach may be on vacation or have overlapping commitments.

Rest assured you will be contacted.

IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY November 7th then send an email to info@cypressnjb.com.

Practices are dependent upon the individual coaches but are usually once or twice a week at any of the local outdoor courts.

What about games?

Games are traditionally on Sundays.

Games are played at any of our local gymnasium facilities (See the 'Location Maps' link on the Cypress NJB home page).

A good pair of basketball or tennis shoes is required.

They will wear fast as most of our teams practice on outdoor courts.

What size basketball?

Most coaches require players to bring their own ball to practice.

The three divisions use different size basketballs.

-         Div 1 uses a standard (High School, College, Professional) size (29.5") ball.

-         Div 2 uses an intermediate (Women's) size (28.5") ball, as do Div 1 Girls.

-         Div 3 uses a youth size (27.5") ball.

Teams may start practicing November 1st. (National may move this up one week)

Our season consists of 10 regular season/playoff games.

All games are played on Sundays between 8am and 6pm at one of our local facilities.

Games for most divisions will begin in late November or early December.

How long does the season last?

The last games are usually scheduled through the beginning of February.

Note that participation in Championship Series and/or All-Stars could significantly extend your season.

NJB incorporates strict player participation rules.

Each child is required to play one full and continuous period in each half.

A 5th period is played at which time the coach may freely substitute and participation rules do not apply.

The simplest answer is no.

Cypress incorporates a Player Evaluation and Draft system in an attempt to equalize the talent amongst our teams.  A coach and assistant coach may only “reserve” his or her own son/daughter, but they will be placed in the draft based on the evaluations from the other coaches.  Siblings in the same division are guaranteed to be on the same team.  Requests to play with friends, neighbors, cousins, for carpooling or other reasons, simply cannot be honored.  Those requests associated with medical reasoning or are based on a “severe” hardship will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Board of Directors.

Registration entitles you to:

- 10 games played in local gymnasiums with referees and scoreboards.

- An official NJB Uniform (shorts and jersey)

- Picture Package

- Participation Trophies

Why is it so expensive?

The majority of expenses reside in the following areas:  gym rental, uniforms, photos, awards, referees, scorekeepers & timekeepers, trophies and NJB license fees.  There are many other incidental expenses required to operate a league of this size.

The candy sales are our primary fundraiser for the winter season to help keep costs down and offset many of our fees.  Players are given the option at the time of registration to either participate in the candy sales fundraiser or "opt out" by paying a fee up front, which relieves them from the obligation to sell any candy.  If they do not "opt out", they must turn in the full cost of the candy to Cypress NJB when it is due, whether or not they are able to sell it.  Failure to turn in the candy money will prevent the team from receiving their uniforms, as the league had to pay the full cost of the candy up front.  Players that wish to sell additional boxes of candy may do so, and 3 boxes sold entitles the player to receive a free NJB basketball in their choice of sizes.

For Cypress NJB information we suggest that you "surf" our website.

The "Team Parent Packet" has many details regarding our league.

If you require additional assistance feel free to e-mail any Board Member.

You may also call our hotline number at (714)822-3967 any time.

For NJB Headquarters information please see their website at www.njbl.org.

Volunteer coaches are one of our most precious resources.  PLEASE volunteer if you are interested.  You are not required to have a child participating in the league.  NJB offers Clinics and instructional materials for those having no prior experience.

Can I choose my assistant coach?

Yes, Cypress NJB does allow Head Coaches and Assistant Coaches to team up prior to the Player Draft.  The Board understands that many coaches team together to protect certain players due to family relationships, friendships, travel convenience, or for scheduling purposes.  However, to keep the selections fair and maintain equity among teams, the Head Coach's son/daughter and the Assistant Coach's son/daughter will be placed in the draft based on the evaluations from the other coaches in that division. There is a strong possibility that they will go in the 1st and 2nd rounds, and the coach will not have a pick until the 3rd round if both players are rated highly by the other coaches.

YES!!  Cypress NJB is an ALL VOLUNTEER organization.  There are many opportunities to get involved and help our league.  Each team needs a Head Coach, most have at least one Assistant Coach.  A Team Parent is essential.  Lastly, we are always in need of help on Picture Day, at Registration and in the gyms every Sunday of the season.

If you have any questions regarding volunteering, please email them HERE.

Players requesting a refund prior to the day of their division's draft will receive 100%.  As a general rule, requests received on or after that date are not honored.  Medical and/or special circumstances will be evaluated by the Board of Directors on a case by case basis.

Yes.  In fact, each team is required to acquire a tax deductible sponsorship for $195.

We are a volunteer organization dependent upon community support to successfully operate our program which provides an exceptional environment for more than 300 local children.  Funding is entirely dependent upon registration fees, fundraiser activities, and the contributions of local businesses and individuals.

As a sponsor, your contribution will play a MAJOR role in developing and nurturing the youth of our community.  While coaches and league representatives are volunteers, the cost of operating a league dependent upon gymnasium rental is substantial.  Your generous contribution will help pay for many items including, but not necessarily limited to, gym rental, basketballs, coach screening and education, game related fees, and printed materials.

Team sponsors receive:

- NJB Sponsor Appreciation Plaque with team picture.

- CNJB website acknowledgement (Team Sponsors page)

The Championship Series is a 3 week Post-Season Tournament operated by NJB Headquarters.  Individual Cypress teams have the option of registering (for an additional fee) and playing teams of like record from surrounding NJB Chapters.  All teams that are 5-5 will play against teams that are 4-6, 5-5, or 6-4.  All the 10-0 teams play each other, etc.  Note that there will be travel involved.  You could play anywhere from Southern Orange County to the Inland Empire.

The coach of each Division’s Championship Team is automatically named the All-Star Coach.  If he/she declines then the 2nd place team’s coach is offered the position.  All-Star players are selected from nominations received from each of the Division’s Head Coaches.  All rosters must be approved by the Board of Directors.  All-Star teams compete against other NJB Chapter All-Stars in a round robin type format with winners being invited to play in NJB’s National All-Star Tournament.

NJB provides several safeguards.

They ask all coaches to have first-aid kits as part of their practice equipment.

Every individual (Board Member, Coach, Assistant Coach, etc) associated with NJB is required to register on-line.  In addition to address and telephone information there are also a series of Yes/No questions that relate to an individuals fitness and eligibility to be involved in youth sports.

Lastly, all Head Coaches must be fingerprinted and are subject to background investigation and/or fingerprint verification to determine suitability for this sensitive community position.  Live Scan, by U.S. Fingerprinting, provides a timely and accurate response from the Department of Justice alerting us to anyone who has had a felony conviction.  If a felony conviction appears that individual, as well as the Chapter Director is immediately notified in writing that the individual can no longer be associated with any NJB activity.