Ancona Schools Drafted into Jr. NBA WNBA FIP Schools League
Ancona, Italy – The Jr. NBA WNBA FIP SCHOOLS LEAGUE kicked off its 2026 season with a unique draft event in Ancona, connecting local secondary school students with NBA franchises. The event, held Friday, February 20th, marked the first official act of the league’s 2026 edition.
A New Approach to Team Assignment
This year’s draft event featured a novel format, actively involving students in a city-wide exploration. Schools weren’t simply assigned teams; they participated in a traveling draft
that took them to discover characteristic places within Ancona.
Exploring Ancona Through Basketball
The procession began in Piazza IV Novembre, near the War Memorial, and continued along Viale della Vittoria to Piazza Cavour and Corso Garibaldi. Along the route, guide Filippo Manoni shared historical and cultural insights about the city, enhancing the experience for the young athletes. At each stop, the draft took place, pairing schools with NBA Divisions.
Key Attendees and Support
The event was attended by Silvia Fattorini, City Councilor President of the 5th commission, who conveyed greetings from the City Administration, including Mayor Daniele Silvetti and Councilors Giovanni Zinni and Marco Battino. Dr. Margherita Rigillo, Regional Coordinator of Physical and Sports Education, was also present, along with Lucia Marchesini, a Councilor from the FIP MARCHE Regional Committee representing President Maurizio Biondini.
School and NBA Division Pairings
The following schools have been paired with NBA Divisions:
- IC Thanks Tavernelle – Northwest Division
- IC Novelli Natalucci – Atlantic Division
- IC Augusto Scocchera – Central Division
- IC New Neighborhoods – Pacific Division
- I.C. Pinocchio- Montesicuro – Southeast Division
- IC Cittadella Margherita Hack – Southwest Division
The league will now compile schedules, with play expected to begin soon, marking the start of the race for the Ring 2026
.
FIP MARCHE Press Office
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Jr. NBA WNBA FIP SCHOOLS LEAGUE?
- It’s a school tournament for secondary school students where they wear NBA jerseys and compete.
- Where did the 2026 draft event take place?
- The event took place in Ancona, Italy.
- What is unique about the 2026 draft event?
- Students actively participate in a city-discovery program as part of the draft process.
Stay tuned to 247sports.news for further updates on the Jr. NBA WNBA FIP SCHOOLS LEAGUE!