Charlotte Hornets (Llanishen High School) Crowned Jr. NBA Wales Girls Champions 2026
The second day of Basketball Wales Jr. NBA Finals Week saw 24 schools and nearly 200 girls from across Wales descend on Aberystwyth University for a fantastic celebration of school basketball.
Representing NBA franchises from across the league, teams competed throughout the day in a highly competitive group stage before progressing to the knockout rounds in pursuit of the Jr. NBA Wales Girls Championship title.
After an outstanding day of basketball, it was the Charlotte Hornets (Llanishen High School) who emerged as champions, completing an unbeaten tournament and defeating the New Orleans Pelicans (Corpus Christi High School) 18-8 in the Championship Final.
Strong Competition Across the Group Stages
The day began with three pools of eight teams, with schools from across Wales showcasing the continued growth and strength of girls’ basketball.
Pool A
Mae'r Orlando Magic (Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi) dominated Pool A, winning all seven of their games and finishing with an impressive points difference of +67. They were closely followed by the Chicago Bulls (Ysgol Bro Hyddgen), who secured six victories from seven games.
| Position | Team | School | W | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando Magic | Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | Chicago Bulls | Ysgol Bro Hyddgen | 6 | 1 |
| 3 | Brooklyn Nets | Ysgol Bro Ddur | 5 | 2 |
| 4 | Detroit Pistons | Ysgol Cwm Brombil | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | Toronto Raptors | Ysgol Glan y Môr | 2 | 5 |
| 6 | Atlanta Hawks | Ysgol Bro Pedr | 2 | 5 |
| 7 | Dallas Mavericks | Ysgol Bro Hyddgen | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Ysgol Bodedern & Ysgol Llangefni | 1 | 6 |
Pool B
Mae'r New Orleans Pelicans (Corpus Christi High School) were the standout performers in Pool B, finishing unbeaten with seven wins from seven games. The LA Clippers (Ysgol Glantaf) also impressed with a 6-1 record to finish second.
| Position | Team | School | W | L |
| 1 | New Orleans Pelicans | Corpus Christi High School | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | LA Clippers | Ysgol Glantaf | 6 | 1 |
| 3 | Miami Heat | Ysgol Bodedern | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | Houston Rockets | Caldicot School | 4 | 3 |
| 5 | Boston Celtics | Ysgol Aberaeron | 3 | 4 |
| 6 | Washington Wizards | Ysgol Llangefni | 2 | 5 |
| 7 | New York Knicks | Ysgol Penglais | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | Golden State Warriors | Ysgol Gwernyfed | 0 | 7 |
Pool C
The eventual champions, the Charlotte Hornets (Llanishen High School), were exceptional throughout the group stages, winning all seven matches and recording an impressive points difference of +97. The Cleveland Cavaliers (Whitchurch High School) also progressed after winning six of their seven games.
| Position | Team | School | W | L |
| 1 | Charlotte Hornets | Llanishen High School | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Whitchurch High School | 6 | 1 |
| 3 | Utah Jazz | Olchfa School | 4 | 3 |
| 4 | Denver Nuggets | Bishop Vaughan Catholic School | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | Sacramento Kings | Ysgol Penglais | 3 | 4 |
| 6 | Indiana Pacers | Plasmawr 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Lakers | Plasmawr | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | Philadelphia 76ers | Ysgol Penweddig | 1 | 6 |
Semi-Finals
The top teams advanced to the knockout stages where the competition reached another level.
Semi-Final One
New Orleans Pelicans (Corpus Christi High School) 14 – 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (Whitchurch High School)
The Pelicans continued their unbeaten run with a commanding performance to secure their place in the Championship Final.
Semi-Final Two
Charlotte Hornets (Llanishen High School) 11 – 2 Orlando Magic (Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi)
The Hornets produced another dominant display, limiting the previously unbeaten Magic to just two points and booking their place in the final.
Bronze Medal Game
🥉 Orlando Magic (Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi) 15 – 5 Cleveland Cavaliers (Whitchurch High School)
The Magic responded brilliantly to their semi-final disappointment, defeating the Cavaliers to secure the bronze medal.
Championship Final
🏆 Charlotte Hornets (Llanishen High School) 18 – 8 New Orleans Pelicans (Corpus Christi High School)
The two unbeaten teams met in a highly anticipated final and it was the Hornets who finished strongly to cap off a remarkable tournament.
Having been one of the standout teams throughout the day, Llanishen High School, representing the Charlotte Hornets, combined excellent teamwork, strong defence and composure under pressure to secure the Jr. NBA Wales Girls Championship title.
Corpus Christi High School, representing the New Orleans Pelicans, can be incredibly proud of their performances throughout the day and deservedly claimed the silver medal.
Final Standings
🥇 Charlotte Hornets (Llanishen High School)
🥈 New Orleans Pelicans (Corpus Christi High School)
🥉 Orlando Magic (Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi)
🏅 Cleveland Cavaliers (Whitchurch High School)
A Fantastic Celebration of Girls Basketball
With nearly 200 players representing 24 schools from across Wales, the event once again demonstrated the incredible growth of girls’ basketball and the impact of the Jr. NBA Wales programme.
The standard of play, teamwork, sportsmanship and enthusiasm on display throughout the day was exceptional and highlighted the bright future of basketball in Welsh schools.
Basketball Wales would like to thank all players, teachers, officials, volunteers and supporters who helped make the event such a success.
Congratulations to every school that took part and a special congratulations to Llanishen High School, representing the Charlotte Hornets, on becoming the 2026 Jr. NBA Wales Girls Champions.
Up Next
The action continues on Thursday with the Jr. NBA Wales Wheelchair Finals, as schools from across Wales compete for national honours and continue another exciting week of basketball at Aberystwyth University.
Follow Basketball Wales across our social media channels for results, photos, videos and highlights throughout Finals Week.
Full album will be posted on the Basketball Wales Facebook page soon
Re-Watch all the action from today via the YouTube links below
