Each year, the Northern Mariana Sports Association (NMSA) host a banquet to recognize their athletes of the month from the past year, present the athlete, team, coach and administrator (sport federation) of the year, (voted by all the sports federation on island) and also induct hall of famers. 

This year the Northern Mariana Basketball Federation (NMIBF) had significant success with the following accolades.

James Lee (NMIBF President) | 2021 NMSA Administrator of the Year

Keith Nabors (NMIBF Board Director) | Enshrined into the NMI Hall of Fame

Sir Lashu Dela Cruz | TSL Foundation/NMSA Male Student Athlete of the Month (May)

Fiona Bucalig | TSL Foundation/NMSA Female Student Athlete of the Month (June)

Azriel Fatialofa | TSL Foundation/NMSA Female Student Athlete of the Month (September)

NMIBF President was awarded Administrator of the Year due to his significant contributions rebuilding NMI basketball during the pandemic.  From securing corporate sponsorship to establishing basketball outreach programs, Lee has been instrumental in developing basketball in the region.

"I am grateful and honoured for the award, however I can't take all the credit," Lee said.

All the accomplishment that the NMI Basketball Federation have done so far has been a team effort.

 "I need to acknowledge and thank our 'Starting Five' which are the Basketball Federation Board of Directors and our 'Sixth man' - the national coaches.

"Also thank you to the Sr. National Program Athletes on helping out with all our community programs such as the BOLA / Mini Basketball Program, our team managers which are our supporters and partners FIBA Oceania, NMSA, our local government, private sponsors, public school system, and also the parents of the athletes and our families."

Alongside programs and accomplishments, Mr. Lee has consistently engaged with stakeholders within the sport to strengthen the NMIBF’s relationship with the local basketball community, both local businesses and government sectors, and within the entire region.