Q: What is RSM/Tesoro NJB?

• A: RSM/Tesoro is a youth basketball league sanctioned by National Junior Basketball. We provide a competitive and balanced recreational basketball program for boys and girls in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Of primary emphasis are sportsmanship, teaching the fundementals of basketball, teamwork, and healthy competition. RSM/Tesoro NJB is a non-profit organization. Through the commitment of our players and families, RSM/Tesoro NJB has grown into one of the largest NJB chapters in Southern California. Last year over 600 boys and girls participated in the program.

Q: What is National Junior Basketball?

• A: National Junior Basketball is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Anaheim, CA. NJB has blossomed into a national youth league with over 40,000 participants in 6 states. NJB offers basketball programs for boys and girls in 1st through 12th grade. For more information on NJB, you may visit their website at www.njbl.org. 

Q:  What are the grade levels/divisions for players?

• A: The following levels of divisional play are available:

1. Boys 2nd through 8th grades play by grade.
2. Girls and K-1st grade boys play by Division

     Rookie Division               Grades K-1
     Division 3                       Grades 2-4
     Division 2                       Grades 5-6
     Division 1                       Grades 7-8
    

Q: How does your Rookie program work (K-1st grade)?

• A: The kids meet only on Sundays. There is no practice during the week. The first 2-3 sessions are strictly fundamental clinics. The kids are then divided into teams and each Sunday half the time is allocated to practice and half the time is allocated to a game.

Q: When does the season start?

• A: RSM / Tesoro NJB has two season: Winter & Summer. Evaluations and practices for the Divisional group (grades 2nd and up) begin in mid November for winter season and June for summer season.  Games begin in early December for winter and June for summer league.

 Q: When/where are the practices?

• A: Practices are at the discretion of your coach. They are normally at local schools. Many coaches practice at Las Flores or RSM Middle schools. Practices are limited to 2 practices per week with a maximum of 3 hours total. Rookie players have practice on Sunday morning within their designated rookie time.

 Q: How are teams formed?

• A: For K-1, we try to enable friends to play together while maintaining a competitive balance. For grades 2-8, the coaches draft teams. No friend requests are accepted for grades 2nd and up.

 Q: What is Club basketball?

• A: RSM NJB sponsors several club teams and they are for our advanced travel teams for boys and girls grades 4-8. Unlike our divisional program, kids must try out for these teams. If you have questions about our club teams, please reach out to our Club Coordinator found on the "Contact Us" section of the website.

Q:  When does the season end?

• A:  The winter season ends in February, Summer season ends in late July/early August.

Q: When is registration?

• A: Registration for the winter season begins online in August and Summer registration begins in March. You will see a registration link at that time.  Space is limited and registration is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Registration can ONLY be done on-line at the official RSM NJB website (www.rsmnjb.org).

Q: Why is enrollment limited for each division?

• A: Maximum player enrollment counts are required due to the limited availability of local area gymnasiums. Once the maximum number of players is reached for a division, a wait list is started.

Q:  Why are practices held outdoors?

• A:  Due to the lack of available gymnasium time at local schools, coaches must hold practices outside.

Q:  Can my child play up a division?

• A:  Yes. They must go to the evaluation for both grades. If they are good enough in the upper grade as decided by the coaches and that division's player agent.

Q:  Can my child play down a division?

• A:  Unless there is a safety issue involved, no player will be allowed to play down a division.

Q: What is included in the registration fee?

• A: Each player's registration fee is used to pay costs for gym rental, uniforms, referees, insurance, scorekeepers, trophies, and our all-star program.  Additionally, there is no mandatory family fund-raising activity so this fee will be the only amount required to be paid for each player.

Q: Where are the games played?

• A: All games are played on Sundays at local gyms including (but not limited to): Tesoro High School, Santa Margarita Catholic High School, and Saddleback College. Practice days and times are determined by individual coaches and are normally conducted at outdoor local school campuses.

Q: What are RSM NJB's boundaries?

• A: Anyone can enroll at RSM NJB, however RSM NJB most commonly serves Rancho Santa Margarita, Dove Canyon, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Trabuco Canyon, Mission Viejo, and Lake Forest.  

Q: How much of the game will my child play?

• A: NJB has strict player participation rules. Each player is required to play one full and continuous period in each half. A 5th period is played in each game at which time the coach may freely substitute and provide additional participation.

Q: What is the TOC (Tournament of Champions)?

• A: The TOC (Tournament of Champions) is a 3 week tournament after the completion of our chapter's regular season operated by NJB Headquarters. Each RSM/Tesoro NJB team will be registered to play against teams with similar win/loss records from other Southern California NJB Chapters. All teams will be encouraged to participate regardless of their regular season record.  There is no additional cost for this tournament as the fee is included in your chapter registration fee. During this tournament, some travel may be involved, but it is usually limited to North Orange County, North San Diego County or the Inland Empire at the farthest.

Q: What is the difference between Divisional Play and All-Net?

• A: Divisional Play is regular league play in one of our three divisions of competitive play for boys and girls in the 2nd through 8th grades. Teams usually practice once or twice per week. The All-Net Program is a division of NJB created to provide a more competitive and organized level of youth basketball, designed to prepare boys and girls in the 4th through 8th grade for high school level competition. Teams primarily consist of All-Star caliber players and travel to play against teams from other Southern California NJB Chapters.  For more information on All-Net, please see the All-Net section of our website.

Q: Why are there evaluations?

• A: Player evaluations are essential to our goal of creating equally talented teams. To achieve this goal, the evaluations are mandatory. The evaluations are not tryouts, as all registered players will be assigned to a team regardless of their ability.

Q: Who coaches the teams?

• A: Coaches are volunteers. They are mostly parents. In some cases they may be an individual that is interested in coaching a team, but does not have a child on the team.  Each coach is selected and approved by the division's player agent.

 Q: What if I want a refund?

• A: Please review and follow the refund procedures by accessing the link on the home page.

 Q: Do you need scorekeepers?

• A: We have returning scorekeepers, who will get priority. However, we always need new scorekeepers. If interested please reach out to our Volunteers Coordinator from the "Contact Us" page.