Winter Basketball FAQs

2024-25

When does registration begin for the winter season?

Wednesday Nov. 6, 2024 at 12:00 PM MT (noon) both online and in person.

Do coaches get priority registration?

Approved volunteer and on-call head coaches may pre-register up to one player for each team they are head coaching. Requests for pre-registration should be sent to your Recreation Center Coordinator or Supervisor between Oct. 22 and Oct. 29. Recreation Centers will pre-register head coaches’ participants between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5. Registration for all other players will begin on Nov. 6 at 12:00 PM. 

What age divisions are offered?

5-6 Year-Old Division (Coed)
7-8 Year-Old Division (Boys, Girls)
9-10 Year-Old Division (Boys, Girls)
11-12 Year-Old Division (Boys, Girls)
13-14 Year-Old Division (Boys, Girls)
15-17 Year-Old Division (Boys)

What is the age calculation date for basketball?

January 19, 2025 for all ages (5-17).  Players should register based on their age on that date.

Beginning with ages 7-8 divisions, players are permitted to play up an age division, within one year, with the permission of a Recreation Coordinator or Supervisor, when roster space is available. Example: An 8-year-old can play in the ages 9-10 division. A 7-year-old must play in the ages 7-8 division. Roster priority will be given to participants who are the correct age for a team/division. 4-year-olds cannot play in ages 5-6 divisions.

What is the team cutoff date for basketball?

Ages 9+ teams must have a minimum of 5 players registered by Dec. 18, 2024. 

Ages 5-6 teams must have a minimum of 4 players and ages 7-8 teams must have a minimum of 5 players registered by Jan. 2, 2025.

Teams below those minimums on those dates may be canceled or combined with other teams.

What is the roster freeze date for basketball?

No players may be added to any roster after Feb. 2, 2025.

How are rosters determined if a Recreation Center has multiple teams?

In order to ensure competitive balance within our leagues, DPR Youth Sports requires that rosters are divided so that no one team at a center/age division has a decided talent advantage. Coaches and Recreation Center full-time staff work together during the initial weeks of practice to evaluate skill levels and build rosters that are fair and balanced.

Requests can be made for a friend, sibling(s) or car pool buddy. Requests are not guaranteed to be fulfilled. Rosters must follow DPR rules.

Contact the Recreation Center where you are registered for more information or to make a roster request.

My son/daughter plays on a non-DPR basketball team (Club, School, Other), are they able to participate in this program?

Yes; but DPR teams/rosters cannot exceed 3 participants from the same non-DPR basketball team.

What will Youth Sports provide for participants?

Youth Sports will provide each participant with a basketball jersey for league play.  Lost uniforms will be replaced in-season only as inventory is available. Participants/teams cannot print their own uniforms. Modifications to uniforms is not allowed during the season.

What are participants responsible for providing?

Participants are responsible for supplying their own athletic shorts and gym shoes. We also recommend a water bottle.

How many practices per week does our team get prior to the regular season games beginning?

Each team may practice up to two times per week until games begin, with a maximum of 7 practices prior to the first game for ages 9+ and 3 practices prior to the first game for ages 8 & Under. Ages 9+ teams should practice one team per week during the weeks of Christmas and New Year.

How many practices / games does our team get once the regular season games begin?

Once games begin, each team will have one practice per week and one game per week. Some leagues may have double-headers and byes scheduled due to the number of teams in the league.

When do practices and games begin for participants?

Ages 9+ practices will begin the week of December 16, 2024.  Games will begin the week of January 13, 2025.

Ages 5-8 practices will begin the week of January 6, 2025. Games will begin Saturday, January 18, 2025. 

 Will schedules be available online?

Yes; schedules will be posted and can be viewed HERE.

How many games does each team get to play during the regular season?

Each team, ages 5-8, will be scheduled to play 6 games.

Each team, ages 9+, will be scheduled to play 6 league games, followed by a postseason tournament.

How long is the season?

Ages 5-8

The ages 5-8 the season will end Saturday, February 22, 2025 OR after a team has played 6 games. 

Ages 9+

The ages 9+, regular season will end February 17-22, 2025 OR after a team has played 6 league games.

February 24 - March 1, 2025 is a scheduled off week for make-up games and pre-tournament practices.

Tournament play is scheduled for March 3 - March 15, 2025.

How are league assignments determined?

DPR Youth Sports teams participate in regional leagues with other recreation centers. Regional leagues are based on total team registration within an age group and geographic area. Sites are selected based on gym availability, court size appropriate for age groups, spectator capacity, and other factors. DPR Youth Sports strives to schedule teams for leagues within close geographic proximity to participating recreation centers whenever possible; however, some teams may have longer travel based on total team participation for an age group within a geographic area.

When will make-up games be played if regular season games are cancelled?

Should we have to cancel a game due to unsafe weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, DPR Youth Sports will determine if and when they can be rescheduled. 

What time are games typically played?

Games on weekdays are typically played between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM. Games on Saturdays are typically played between 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM. There are exceptions to these times, but most league games occur within these timeslots.

Will there be a tournament following the season? When will the tournament take place?

Yes, following the regular season there will be a tournament for all ages 9+. 

Tournament play is scheduled to begin March 3, culminating with Championship Saturday on March 15.

Tournaments are tiered, when possible, based on league size and league standings. All ages 9+ teams will be eligible to participate in citywide tournament play.

When/what/where is "Championship Saturday"?

Championship games for all 9+ age divisions are scheduled to be held Saturday, March 15 at Montbello Recreation Center.

Tournament games through the semi-final round for each age division will typically be held on their normal league nights with sites to be determined. Some Saturday games may be played based on bracket size. 

How do we check to see if a game or practice is cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather?

For games, call the Youth Sports Weather Line (720.865.0595). You can also visit www.denveryouthsports.org.

If inclement weather occurs during pre-game travel time you may also call the league site for information.

For practices, please contact the center where you are registered for further information.

Are there opportunities to volunteer coach? How do I get involved? 

Yes, express your interest to Center Staff or note Yes on the participant registration.