our mission
The New Jersey Panthers organization is dedicated to the dual goals of teaching the life lessons players learn through the game of basketball, and preparing young student athletes for college play. Our deeply experienced, dedicated coaches use practices and games to provide an intense focus on fundamentals, and to emphasize lessons in responsibility and service to others, integrity, work ethic, analytical skills, teamwork, leadership skills and self-knowledge that can be taught in our gyms. Our players will become high performing and contributing members of their communities, in and out of this extraordinary sport.
Our Program
The New Jersey Panthers were formed in 2005 as an organization dedicated to the dual goals of teaching the life lessons players learn through the game of basketball, and preparing young student athletes for college play. The organization was founded by Donnie Forster, long time coach of the Morris County Bulls and other community programs. Donnie assembled a group of coaches and other professionals committed to enriching the lives of the Panthers players. The coaching staff possesses extensive experience as both players and coaches, and each has enjoyed a great deal of success in those roles. An intense focus on fundamentals is the hallmark of the Panthers program. Panthers players are expected to master the mental aspects of the game, including the discipline to focus on the details of the individual and team fundamentals they are taught. The Panthers coaches have history and a reputation in the major AAU recruiting venues, and are committed to preparing their teams to perform on that stage. Players get exposure to College recruiters over a period of years, culminating in their U17 (U16 for Girls) season. Playing in national venues throughout their Panthers experience, Panthers players become well prepared to display their talents during the important spring and summer College Evaluation Periods. All of that said, for the Panthers, its first and foremost about the basketball. A players self discovery is paramount in the priorities of the coaches. The lessons in integrity, work ethic, teamwork, and leadership that are available in the game are transferable to all aspects of life outside the gym - "...there's more to basketball than basketball."
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