Key Takeaways
- Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd is launching JK Select Baseball under the Jason Kidd Foundation
- The program will serve athletes ages 7 to 18 through a three-tiered model focused on skill development and education
- JK Select will start in the Dallas area with plans to expand to Washington, California, and Pennsylvania
- The initiative builds on JK Select Girls Basketball, which has produced more than 45 NCAA Division I athletes
- Kidd’s 15-year-old son Chance was invited to MLB’s Dream Series this weekend in Tempe, Arizona
NBA Hall of Famer Adds Baseball to Youth Sports Portfolio
Jason Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer, announced the launch of JK Select Baseball, a youth baseball initiative under his foundation. The program targets athletes ages 7 to 18 and emphasizes skill development, education, and mentorship for participants.
“I’m in a position to give back with youth sports, and sometimes we forget how important coaches are,” Kidd said. “A lot of us were blessed to have good coaches to help us go where we want to go. That helps create not just athletes, but lawyers and doctors and teachers.”
The initiative marks Kidd’s expansion beyond basketball after establishing JK Select Girls Basketball, which has produced more than 45 NCAA Division I athletes.
Three-Tiered Model Starting in Dallas
JK Select Baseball will operate through a three-tiered structure designed to serve players at different developmental stages. The program will begin in the Dallas area before expanding to Washington, California, and Pennsylvania.
Kidd played travel baseball as a catcher and outfielder growing up in the Bay Area and planned to play both sports at UC Berkeley before focusing exclusively on basketball. His connection to youth baseball deepened through his son Chance, a 15-year-old catcher who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds. Chance was invited to MLB’s Dream Series this weekend in Tempe, Arizona, a program designed to develop minority pitchers and catchers.
Program Philosophy Beyond Competition
The baseball initiative positions itself around coaching quality and athlete development both on and off the field. Kidd emphasized that the program aims to prepare participants for various career paths, not just professional sports.
“I just want to give them the opportunity to grow, not just as players, but as people,” Kidd said.
The program structure mirrors approaches used in JK Select Girls Basketball, which has established recruiting pipelines to collegiate programs through consistent coaching and development frameworks.
Market Context for Elite Youth Baseball
The launch comes as consolidation continues in youth baseball, with multi-sport platforms and baseball-specific operators expanding their facility footprints and program offerings. Programs led by professional athletes or coaches typically leverage brand recognition to attract participants and sponsorship partners, though long-term success depends on coaching infrastructure and player development outcomes.
Kidd’s dual perspective as an active NBA head coach and youth sports program founder positions JK Select Baseball within the growing category of athlete-led youth sports initiatives seeking to scale beyond single markets.
via: USA Today
photo: Geoffrey’s
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