The YMCA of Greater New York and the New York Knicks held a free youth basketball clinic at the Flatbush YMCA on Saturday, January 31, the first installment of the partners’ 2026 clinic series, according to a media advisory from the two organizations.
The clinic ran from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Flatbush YMCA, 1401 Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn, the advisory said. Participants worked on ball handling and shooting and received advice from former Knicks guard John Starks and from Jr. Knicks coaches, according to the organizations. Around 100 young participants turned out for the clinic, the Brooklyn Eagle reported.
The two organizations have partnered for the past five years to run a series of clinics for kids and teens at YMCA branches and locations across the boroughs, featuring former Knicks players and Jr. Knicks coaches, the advisory said. The organizations said that since the partnership began in 2021, more than 1,000 YMCA youth have attended the clinics.
The organizations described the programming as free and high-quality, saying it is meant to build confidence, skills and connection through sports and to provide mentorship and a safe, supportive environment for young people both on and off the court. Spectrum is the presenting partner of the Jr. Knicks and YMCA programming, according to the advisory.
The clinic was open to the press, with media asked to RSVP in advance through the YMCA, the advisory said.
