Season-long development
From late summer through March, players follow a consistent rhythm of practices, league play, tournaments, and focused development.
Northeast Seattle Basketball
Building Character.
Developing Leaders.
Strengthening Community.
Neighborhood Kidz is a community-based youth basketball organization in Northeast Seattle offering competitive team and Skills & Development opportunities that help young athletes build skills, grow as teammates, and prepare for the next level.
Our values
DevelopmentAccountability
Teamwork2026–27 Season
Neighborhood Kidz exists to build character, develop leaders, and strengthen our community through the game of basketball. Every practice, every game, and every interaction is an opportunity to help young people grow not only as athletes, but as teammates, students, and future leaders. We believe the lessons learned through basketball should prepare young people for success long after the final buzzer.
About Us
More than a team.
Neighborhood Kidz gives young athletes a place to learn the game, compete with purpose, and build relationships that last beyond a single season. We value effort, accountability, and coachability because consistent, everyday work helps each player grow.
Our purpose is to develop people first and basketball players second. We coach the whole player by emphasizing development, accountability, teamwork, integrity, leadership, sportsmanship, and responsibility to our community. Winning matters, but it never takes priority over player development or the values that define our program.
Competitive Team
A season built for growth.
Primary commitment
Neighborhood Kidz is designed to be each player’s primary basketball club during the main season because that continuity helps teams build chemistry and grow together.
Multi-sport friendly
Spring programming is intentionally lighter so athletes can continue periodic skill work and tournament play while participating in other sports.
Meaningful reps
We aim for 8–10 players per roster whenever reasonably possible, giving athletes meaningful instruction, game experience, and opportunities to develop.
Middle school boys program: Neighborhood Kidz primarily serves boys in grades 6–8. Player evaluations help determine team placement, with coaches considering player interest, evaluation results, grade level, roster balance, and coaching capacity when forming teams. Depending on player interest and evaluation results each season, the program may field one or more teams across multiple grade levels.
Player Development
Skills & Development
Neighborhood Kidz provides basketball development opportunities designed to help young athletes strengthen fundamentals, improve individual skills, and grow their understanding of the game.
Sessions may include ball handling, shooting, finishing, footwork, passing, decision-making, defensive fundamentals, conditioning, and competitive drills.
Skills & Development opportunities may be open to Neighborhood Kidz players and other youth basketball players in the community.
Participation, age groups, locations, and schedules may vary by session.
Through basketball instruction and mentorship, we emphasize skill development, accountability, teamwork, leadership, and growth on and off the court.
For Families
What Parents Can Expect
Families can expect a clear, organized experience built around player development, team continuity, and shared responsibility.
Season commitment
The primary season runs from late summer through March, when Neighborhood Kidz is intended to be each player’s main basketball commitment.
Spring programming is intentionally lighter to give multi-sport athletes greater flexibility while continuing to provide meaningful basketball development opportunities.
Practices & tournaments
Consistent practices, league play, and tournament opportunities give players a steady setting in which to prepare, compete, work together, and grow.
Communication & expectations
Coaches provide families with organized, timely communication, while players are expected to be accountable, coachable, and supportive teammates who compete with integrity and sportsmanship.
Development & roster size
We aim for 8–10 players per roster whenever reasonably possible so each athlete receives meaningful instruction, game experience, and opportunities to develop.
A Proven Foundation
Neighborhood Kidz is built on years of successful middle school coaching, meaningful relationships, and a proven commitment to player development. While Neighborhood Kidz officially began in 2024, the experience behind the program includes multiple league championships, tournament championships, and Washington Middle School State Championship appearances. Our focus has never been about collecting trophies. Our success has been the result of hard work, consistency, and a commitment to developing young people. It will forever be about helping them grow as athletes, teammates, leaders, and confident young men.
In just our inaugural season, 21 athletes represented Neighborhood Kidz. Eight players from that first team are now preparing to begin high school. Watching them grow as basketball players, teammates, and young men has been one of our proudest accomplishments.
Proven on the Court
2024–25 PEAK Gold Division Champions
Back-to-back excellence began here. Winning the PEAK Gold Division earned our team a berth to the Washington Middle School State Championship.
Hoops4Him Fall Classic Champions
Champions of the Hoops4Him Fall Classic, an official Washington Middle School State Championship qualifying tournament.
Baseline Battle Champions
Tournament champions while continuing to build confidence, chemistry, and competitive experience.
Midcourt Madness Champions
Another championship performance that reflected the program's growth, teamwork, and resilience.
2025–26 PEAK Gold Division Champions
Back-to-back PEAK Gold Division Champions and Washington Middle School State Championship qualifiers.
Every championship represents countless hours of practice, accountability, teamwork, and growth. While we're proud of what our players have accomplished on the court, we're even more proud of the character, leadership, and confidence they continue to build beyond the game.
JB
Coach Jean-Masse Buchanan
Founder & Program Director
Coach Buchanan leads the program's vision, player development, team planning, and family communication. His coaching philosophy combines disciplined preparation with confidence building, helping athletes grow both on and off the court. He believes basketball is one of the most powerful tools for developing character, leadership, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to serving others.
ZD
Coach Zac Daab
Assistant Coach
Coach Zac supports player development, practice planning, game preparation, family communication, and program operations. His coaching style balances encouragement with accountability, helping players develop confidence, compete with purpose, and grow as teammates. He works closely with Coach Buchanan on the long-term vision for Neighborhood Kidz while helping each player reach their full potential both on and off the court.
Placement Process
Player Evaluation & Team Formation
The Player Interest Form is the first step for families and gives our coaching staff an initial understanding of each athlete.
The next step is the player evaluation, where coaches assess each athlete's current skill level, development, attitude, coachability, and readiness for competition.
Coaches then make roster and grade-level placement decisions by considering player interest, evaluation results, grade level, roster balance, coaching capacity, and what will best support each player's long-term development.
Families receive direct communication regarding roster decisions, team placement, availability, and the next steps in the registration process.
Parent Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades are served?
The Neighborhood Kidz competitive seasonal team primarily serves middle school boys in grades 6–8. Skills & Development participation and age groups may vary by session.
What experience is needed?
Players at different experience levels may submit the Player Interest Form, and evaluations help coaches determine each athlete’s readiness, fit, and appropriate placement.
How do evaluations work?
Coaches evaluate each player’s current development and potential team fit, then consider that information alongside grade level, roster balance, player interest, and coaching capacity.
When is the season?
The primary season runs from late summer through March, with intentionally lighter spring programming for multi-sport athletes.
How often are practices?
Teams practice consistently during the primary season, and final schedules and expectations are shared directly with participating families.
Will teams play tournaments?
Yes.
League play and tournament opportunities are an important part of the program because they provide players with meaningful opportunities to apply what they learn in practice, compete with confidence, and continue their development throughout the season.
How large are teams?
We aim for 8–10 players per roster whenever reasonably possible so each athlete receives meaningful instruction and game experience.
What are the program fees?
Competitive team program fees vary by season and program offerings. Complete tuition, uniform, and payment information is provided to families invited to join a Neighborhood Kidz team.
How will families hear from coaches?
Families receive direct, organized communication about evaluations, placement, schedules, program expectations, and each stage of the process.
Competitive Team Registration
Start your Neighborhood Kidz journey.
Complete the Player Interest Form so our coaches can learn about your athlete.
Families invited to join a competitive team receive the season handbook, registration packet, payment options, and clear next steps.
Player Interest Form
Tell us about your athlete and your family's interest in Neighborhood Kidz.
Completing the form takes approximately two minutes.
Open Player Interest FormThe form opens in a new window.
Contact
Let’s talk basketball.
Questions about the program, player fit, or the upcoming season? Reach out directly.