Queens Basketball Coach Named Jr. Knicks Coach Of The Year

JAMAICA, QUEENS —A Queens basketball coach won the title of Junior Knicks Coach of the Year. Jamaica native Jason Curry received a $5,000 grant and will advance to the next stage of the competition, vying for Junior NBA Coach of the Year.

Curry got the news late Thursday night in a phone call from New York Knicks legend Allan Houston, a two-time NBA All-Star.

Curry, who grew up in Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park, founded the nonprofit Big Apple Basketball in 1999 to train and mentor student athletes. The nonprofit hosts basketball training and events, offers college scholarship programs, conducts clinics and manages teams.

"I've been blessed to have an amazing support system of friends and volunteers who have helped me live my vision and mission of Big Apple Basketball," he said in a statement. "There are so many great coaches and mentors in the New York City area who go unnoticed, that it's a privilege to even be recognized in this capacity."

Curry was selected as the winner through a social media vote with input from the New York Knicks and the Hospital for Special Surgery, the contest's sponsor.

He will be honored at the Knicks' game against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, March 9.