BeLikeCJ Jr. NBA/WNBA League
Youth basketball for Ark-La-Tex kids, presented by the BeLikeCJ Foundation | Forever #24 and sponsored by SWEPCO. Players learn the game, teamwork, and what it means to be an ultimate teammate.
Explore the leagueOUR PROGRAMS
Building young people who lead with heart.
Through sports, education, and service, we help children and families grow in character, confidence, and kindness.
SPORTS
Where skills and character grow together
WINTER LEAGUE · NOW UNDERWAY · NEXT LEAGUE SUMMER 2027
BeLikeCJ Basketball Development League
9 weeks · $95 per player
Did your child miss making their school basketball team? Their growth starts now. This program helps 7th–8th grade boys and girls build skills, grow confidence, and gain game experience in a positive, encouraging environment.
Register Today- Starts
- Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Times
- Girls 2:00–4:00 PM, Boys 4:15–6:15 PM
- Each session
- One hour of skill training, then a development league game
- Where
- North Heights Community School, 2118 E. 35th St., Texarkana, AR 71854
- Good to know
- Holiday breaks apply. Families receive the full nine-session calendar.
- Sponsored by
- SWEPCO
WINTER 2026 · BEGINS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5
BeLikeCJ Skills Training + Game
Build skills. Grow confidence. Put it all into play.
BeLikeCJ gives athletes ages 8–14 a place to sharpen their basketball skills and build confidence on the court. Each Saturday starts with hands-on instruction and ends with a game so players can practice what they learned.
Players work on ball handling, passing, shooting, footwork, and defense while learning to communicate, encourage each other, and show good sportsmanship.
- Who
- Boys and girls, ages 8–14
- When
- Winter session begins Saturday, December 5, 2026. Training runs Saturdays year-round, 12:00–1:30 PM. Families can join anytime.
- Where
- North Heights Community School, 2118 E. 35th St., Texarkana, AR 71854
- Questions
- marie@belikecj.org
REGISTRATION AND PRICING
- 9-week session · $115 per player. Includes a program shirt and works out to about $13 per Saturday.
- Monthly option · $48 per player.
- Sibling discount · $15 off each additional child.
- Scholarships. A limited number of spots are available each session to help families with the cost of training. Donors can help by sponsoring a player.
Players are welcome to sign up on their own or come with teammates. Please register each athlete individually.
Be kind. Be humble. Be the ultimate teammate.
Sponsored by 
EVERY SATURDAY
- 12:00–1:30 PM · Skills Training + Game, ages 8–14 (starts Dec 5)
- 2:00–4:00 PM · Winter Development League, girls
- 4:15–6:15 PM · Winter Development League, boys
- Next Development League: Summer 2027
APRIL 17–18, 2027 · TEXARKANA
BeLikeCJ Legacy Classic
Our annual youth baseball and softball tournament, formerly the BeLikeCJ Memorial Tournament. The 2026 tournament drew 40+ teams, with Sportsmanship Awards for players who lead with character. Play. Grow. Lead.
Save the dateEDUCATION
Character lessons for every age
AGES 8–12 · 10 WEEKS
BeLikeCJ SURGE Curriculum
Building the Foundation of 7 Character Traits: A BeLikeCJ Adventure. A 10-week program for schools, churches, and youth organizations.
- Builds confidence and social skills
- Strengthens communication and leadership
- Helps students apply the traits in everyday life
GRADES 9–12 · COMING SOON
BeLikeCJ Ultimate Teammate Academy
Lead with heart. Grow through hard things. Prepare for life.
A high school program for boys and girls built around one question: Can you do it in real life?
Join the interest list
THE BOOK
Be Like CJ: Traits of a Superhero
By Marie Ferdinand-Harris · Illustrated by Kashif Qasim
Through CJ’s story, kids learn seven traits: caring, ultimate teammate, special, humble, respectful, encouraging, and determined. Each comes with stories and key takeaways, making it a great resource for kids of all ages.
KINDNESS FILMS
Everybody deserves a friend
A series of short films inspired by CJ’s real kindness. Each story helps kids talk about inclusion, friendship, and being the one who notices.
Watch the Film
CHARACTER PROGRAM
BeLikeCJ SURGE
A BeLikeCJ adventure in character. SURGE helps young people build the traits CJ lived every day, and gives teens the tools to face hard things, take care of their mental health, and lead with heart.
Led by Marie Ferdinand-Harris: 12-year WNBA veteran, three-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, author, and graduate of the Harvard Business School × NBA Athlete Crossover Program.
The SURGE traits
Respectful
Treat others like golden treasures, always with kindness and care.
Caring
A little kindness goes a long way. Kindness counts, so be a friend.
Humble
Being awesome is great, but it’s cool to stay humble and grateful.
Encouraging
Cheer on your friends like a rockstar. Your words can help them shine.
Special
You’re one of a kind, like a rare star. Let your special light brighten the world.
Determined
Don’t give up. Keep pushing like a champion, and you’ll reach the finish line.
Ultimate Teammate
Together, we’re unstoppable. Being a great teammate makes us all win.
FOR KIDS · AGES 8–12 · 10 WEEKS
The SURGE Adventure
A character program for schools, churches, and youth organizations. Through stories, activities, and the BeLikeCJ superhero spirit, kids learn the traits and practice them every day.
- Builds confidence and social skills
- Strengthens communication and leadership
- Helps students apply the traits in everyday life
FOR TEENS · HIGH SCHOOL
SURGE for Teens
Built for the real pressures teens face, so they don’t just survive, they thrive. Topics include:
- Overcoming adversity
- Mental health and well-being
- Building self-confidence
- Goal setting and perseverance
- Peer pressure and social media
- Emotional intelligence
- Learning from failure
- Building support networks
- Ambition and self-care
- Resilience when the future feels uncertain
Delivered as keynotes, workshops, or weekly classes for a semester (14 weeks) or a full school year (28 weeks). Curriculum, workbooks, supplies, and facilitators are included.
WHAT STUDENTS GAIN
- Self-awareness and confidence
- Resilience and determination
- Goal-setting skills that stick
- Leadership and community responsibility
- Practical preparation for life after school
COMMUNITY
Showing up for our neighbors
More than 3,500 families impacted since April 2021.
Walk of Love
Our signature community walk brings families together to celebrate CJ and spread kindness.
Student Scholarships
Ten scholarships awarded to student-athletes who live out CJ’s character, including 2026 recipients Sydney Woods and Nate Castle.
Christmas Toy Drive
During the holidays, we deliver gifts and joy to children across the region.
Special Olympics
Cheering on athletes of every ability and celebrating every finish line.
Turkey Feast & Giveaway
Thanksgiving meals for families in need.
Back-to-School Support
Clothing giveaways and fresh haircuts for a confident first day.
BeLikeCJ Award & Birthday
Celebrating CJ and honoring young people who show his kindness.
FAMILY SUPPORT
Walking alongside families
Grief Support for Parents
Cedrick and Marie know the pain of losing a child. We offer encouragement and connection for parents walking the same road.
Find supportSpeaking & Workshops
Cedrick and Marie speak to schools, athletes, coaches, parents, and grieving families about leadership, resilience, and healing.
Book a speakerHelp us reach the next child
Every program is made possible by donors, sponsors, and volunteers who believe kindness changes everything.