
New Jersey Scholars, LLC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides a comprehensive and dynamic year-round athletic, youth development, and community service program. Since our inception, NJ Scholars has proudly served hundreds of scholar athletes, families, and many communities throughout the State of New Jersey.
At New Jersey Scholars, our mission is to help young adults and their families pursue excellence in all facets of their lives, using competitive basketball as an outreach and development platform. This pursuit of excellence encompasses academics, citizenship, and sportsmanship. Ultimately, we think that advancing educational attainment for many underserved communities in New Jersey will improve equity and opportunity on a statewide basis.
New Jersey Scholars utilizes its staff, resources and network to providing the best experience to all program participants and elite athletic prospects. We also incorporate our highly visible program participants as ambassadors who model and echo our mission of educational attainment. We focus on the following areas as our resources allow:
- Academic Resources and Educational Support
- College Preparation, Readiness, and Admissions Support
- Social, Cultural, Community, and Civic Engagement & Events
- Player Development, Mentorship & Guidance
- Emotional Health and Wellness Programming & Seminars
Our management team, board and network of resources have outstanding professional and athletic backgrounds including substantial experience in higher education, operations, management and governance. Our collective experience allows us to uniquely deliver our mission.
We are looking for POETS
Scholars Elite POETS
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Players of Exceptional Talent™



Management, Mentors and Pathfinders
The Scholars Elite Youth Basketball Academy is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides a year-round, comprehensive program for youth participants that focuses not only on basketball, but academic achievement and support, civic and communal engagement, financial literacy, and emotional health programs.
The New Jersey Scholars Elite Basketball Academy has established a strong Board of Directors to provide outstanding governance and stewardship. The board has a diverse set of functional and industry skill sets but all share a passion for youth sports and making a difference in the lives of young people.
Our program directors, admin staff and advisors collectively have distinctive grassroots and collegiate sports experience and relevant professional backgrounds. Along with our outstanding and seasoned Coaching & Player Development Staff, our goal is to create a performance based and unified basketball culture conducive to optimal growth, development and success. Our program is designed to help and assist our athletes to meet their true and desired potential.
Leadership
Coaches
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Coach Kenny Jackson
15U Coach

Coach Tyrell Biggs
Middle School Co-Head

Coach Joe Chatman
16U Coach

Coach Matthew Derilus
Middle School Co-Head

Coach Al Rue
16U Coach
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Belief is irresistible. “
— Phil Knight

Phil Knight and NJ Scholars board member at NABC Court of Honor Award