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Jr. NBA Coach of the Year


The Sioux Falls Skyforce are proud to celebrate youth basketball coaches in combined efforts with the NBA & Jr. NBA! The Jr. NBA Coach of the Year program recognizes coaches that serve as a mentor by demonstrating character, leadership and integrity, create a culture that encourages character development, and uses basketball as a tool to address mental health and social justice. In 2023, the Jr. NBA is recognizing coaches that exhibit a lasting impact on their community as a whole as well as coaches who are a part of a school-based team, P.E. teacher or other school employees. 

Any youth basketball coach who coaches kids ages 6-14 is eligible.

• Fans can nominate a coach for either the Jr. NBA Community Coach of the Year award or Jr. NBA Scholastic Coach of the Year award.
• Submissions close on Thursday, April 13.
• The 2023 Jr. NBA Community & Scholastic Coach of the Year regional winners will be announced Thursday, April 20.

• The Jr. NBA Coach of the Year will be automatically entered for the national award as a local winner.

2023 Sioux Falls Skyforce Nominee

The Sioux Falls Skyforce 2023 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year is Mike Mogard.
Mogard leads the 3rd and 5th grade boys Brookings Bobcats. Mogard has coached youth basketball for nine years including coaching his two sons’ teams for the last five years. He enjoys coaching youth basketball because he is a part of providing an opportunity for kids to connect with the game in a variety of ways, whether that be developing in practice, playing in games or watching basketball be played at different levels.     For Coach Mogard, with the ages that he coaches, it’s all about the camaraderie the kids gain from being part of a team. Mogard feels especially proud of his players when he sees them connect outside of the sport altogether. While victory is always important, some coaching highlights include hosting the annual players v parents game or bringing the team together for a Skyforce game and getting them to experience the sport on a big stage, even if they are only playing an exhibition.   Mogard exemplifies the leadership and commitment necessary to direct young basketball players into quality kids and athletes that make an impact on the court, in the classroom, and in their community.

2022 Sioux Falls Skyforce Nominee

The Sioux Falls Skyforce 2022 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year is Joe Pay Pay Jr. Joe is the coach of a 5th grade girls team, the Slayers. His impact comes on and off the court. While he's dedicated to helping the team win and progress the players skills, he forms a connection to earn their trust that allows him to help his players through tough times by solving conflicts and creating growth.

2021 Sioux Falls Skyforce Nominee

The Sioux Falls Skyforce 2021 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year was Bill Maxwell. Bill was recognized as a national semifinalist by the Jr. NBA for his outstanding work in the Parkston community, coaching 3rd-6th grade boys and girls teams for the Parkston Trojans Jr. NBA program. He carries on his late father's legacy, who built the program for 25 years. Bill volunteers his nights and weekends every year from December through March being with the kids every step of the way.