Team Nikos Basketball Academy and Ladera Ranch National Junior Basketball to Call New Ladera Sports Center Home

Two prominent youth basketball programs in Orange County, Team Nikos Basketball Academy and Ladera Ranch National Junior Basketball (LRNJB), announced today they have signed long-term agreements making the Ladera Sports Center—a $35 million solar-powered mixed-use facility in Ladera Ranch, Calif.—the programs’ home for all leagues and teams.

The state-of-the-art complex—now under construction on the last available land approved for development in Ladera Ranch—is expected to open by summer 2016.

“The Ladera Sports Center will be one of the most technologically advanced sports facilities in California once completed,” said Ladera Sports Center CEO Steve Williams. “One feature that makes it stand out is the online video streaming that enables people to watch games or practices on their mobile phones, tablets or computers.”

The over 120,000-square-foot complex is being built on approximately four acres on Terrace Road near the intersection of Crown Valley Parkway and Antonio Parkway in Ladera Ranch. The project will include a private fitness center, 230 self-storage units and 16,000+ square feet of office space for SmartStop Asset Management, whose CEO H. Michael Schwartz designed, financed and is developing the facility.

The Ladera Sports Center will have eight basketball and volleyball courts, study rooms, a weight room and a café serving healthy snacks and meals.

“Our main priority is to consider the needs of student-athletes by creating a safe, convenient home gym where they can coordinate their study time and workout sessions,” said Schwartz.

Founded in 2007, Team Nikos is a youth Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) club program of 16 low and high-level club teams from second through 12th grades that feeds local high schools across South Orange County, as well as training academies and camps throughout the year. Last year its flagship team won the AAU Division III National Championships. Team Nikos has been renting schools in the area to house its basketball practices, academies and camps.

“The Ladera Sports Center will allow our program to be under one roof,” said Team Nikos Club team director Jameel Mahmud. “We no longer have to bounce back and forth between schools. We’ll have the stability we need to be the best program in California, with the same practice times on the same court all year without interruption. We have always dreamed of taking our program to the next level, and now with all the amenities like recorded and streaming games and practices we can do so much more for the kids.”

The youth basketball program LRNJB organizes 120 teams from kindergarten through eighth grade and currently runs a winter, spring and summer league.

According to Warren Martin, director of basketball operations for LRNJB, the new facility will enable the program to add a fall league and girls basketball leagues. “We are thrilled to call the Ladera Sports Center our home. We can’t wait to move in,” Martin said. “We believe it will provide a significantly improved experience for our players, parents and coaches.”

The Ladera Sports Center is filling a major need for gym capacity in Orange County where finding space for youth sports programs to play and practice has been an issue for many years. “Now we will have plenty of space and won’t be subject to the unpredictability of facility availability in the area,” Martin added.

The 60,000-square-foot gymnasium—which will be open to the public—will include 48,750 square feet of court spaces with noise decibel reduction systems, superior wood flooring, ceiling-mounted basketball hoops and volleyball nets with ample spectator seats per court.

It will be the only private youth facility in Orange County with a fully air-conditioned gym. “No more sweating in the stands while trying to enjoy watching your kids play,” said Williams.

Located close to the 241 toll road and I-5 freeway near Crown Valley Parkway, the Ladera Sports Center will be within walking distance to local restaurants and stores. In addition, the facility will have approximately 300 parking spaces under and around the building with active security cameras and several electrical vehicle charging stations. The facility will be available for club team practices, youth and adult leagues and tournaments, youth camps and clinics as well as charity and community events.

The Ladera Sports Center is currently seeking sponsors from national brands and local businesses. Opportunities include naming rights, court branding, gymnasium signage and online promotions. In addition, the facility is taking reservations for weekend tournaments and weekday rentals. For more information, please visit http://www.laderasportscenter.com.

���