San Jose Ninja Youth Foundation
San Jose Ninja Youth Foundation, 1696 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95112
About
San Jose Ninja Youth Foundation offers basketball, Ninja Camp, team challenges, trivia, community service, dance showdowns, and team-building and fun challenges. The program also runs the Ninja Invitational Basketball Tournament and hosts the Ninja Fall Family Social gathering.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
San Jose Ninja Youth Foundation is a premier, private club basketball program in the Bay Area with seasons in both the spring and fall. Its mission states that it is dedicated to high-level player development, competitive play, and building a strong, connected community, and that it focuses on strong basketball fundamentals, self-confidence, teamwork, and respect. The organization has grown to 14 teams, uses black uniforms to reflect the traditional attire of a ninja, and features an original logo designed by Linda Inouye.
The idea for the organization began in the summer of 1980, and the first Ninja Invitational Tournament was held on April 10–11, 1982. The annual Ninja Invitational Basketball Tournament is an invitation-only event, and the 43rd Annual tournament is scheduled for 2026. The Ninja Fall Family Social gathering is held each year to honor seniors, appreciate coaches, welcome new players and families, and celebrate the program community.
Ninja Camp brings together players from all grade levels for competition, connection, and growth, with older players leading and mentoring younger players. Ninja Camp includes community service, and a Sunnyvale Fire crew has joined camp for a “day in the life” demo to show players what it means to serve the community. The organization describes itself as an integral part of the San Jose community.
Ninja athletes have won 2025–26 high school championship titles at various high schools and divisions, including Menlo-Atherton High School Division 1, Milpitas High School Division 1, Milpitas Division 1, Valley Christian High School Division 2, Willow Glen High School Division 2, and Mills High School Division 3. The program highlights a legacy of excellence, sportsmanship, and lifelong connections since 1980 and a tight-knit community of past and present Ninja players and families.
Leadership roles include founder Tom Kinoshita, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for the organization, and inaugural tournament chairman Jim Kotsubo. Current leadership positions include Kevin Kawano (President and Boys’ Commissioner), Andy Namba (Girls’ Commissioner), Lindsay Mune (Treasurer), Tori Sakurai (Secretary), Tania Yang and Karen Shen (Social Co-Directors), Jeff Young (Girls’ Tournament Director), Kevin Dobashi (Boys’ Tournament Director), Cynthia Kashima Bader (Tournament Director), Stuart Ishida (Gym Coordinator), Kevin Eng (Equipment & Apparel Manager), Keith Morikawa (Historian & Social Media), Carol Kimura (Webmaster), and Dean Kobashigawa (Member at Large).
Last updated March 22, 2026.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
San Jose Ninja Youth Foundation is a premier, private club basketball program in the Bay Area with seasons in both the spring and fall. Its mission states that it is dedicated to high-level player development, competitive play, and building a strong, connected community, and that it focuses on strong basketball fundamentals, self-confidence, teamwork, and respect. The organization has grown to 14 teams, uses black uniforms to reflect the traditional attire of a ninja, and features an original logo designed by Linda Inouye.
The idea for the organization began in the summer of 1980, and the first Ninja Invitational Tournament was held on April 10–11, 1982. The annual Ninja Invitational Basketball Tournament is an invitation-only event, and the 43rd Annual tournament is scheduled for 2026. The Ninja Fall Family Social gathering is held each year to honor seniors, appreciate coaches, welcome new players and families, and celebrate the program community.
Ninja Camp brings together players from all grade levels for competition, connection, and growth, with older players leading and mentoring younger players. Ninja Camp includes community service, and a Sunnyvale Fire crew has joined camp for a “day in the life” demo to show players what it means to serve the community. The organization describes itself as an integral part of the San Jose community.
Ninja athletes have won 2025–26 high school championship titles at various high schools and divisions, including Menlo-Atherton High School Division 1, Milpitas High School Division 1, Milpitas Division 1, Valley Christian High School Division 2, Willow Glen High School Division 2, and Mills High School Division 3. The program highlights a legacy of excellence, sportsmanship, and lifelong connections since 1980 and a tight-knit community of past and present Ninja players and families.
Leadership roles include founder Tom Kinoshita, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for the organization, and inaugural tournament chairman Jim Kotsubo. Current leadership positions include Kevin Kawano (President and Boys’ Commissioner), Andy Namba (Girls’ Commissioner), Lindsay Mune (Treasurer), Tori Sakurai (Secretary), Tania Yang and Karen Shen (Social Co-Directors), Jeff Young (Girls’ Tournament Director), Kevin Dobashi (Boys’ Tournament Director), Cynthia Kashima Bader (Tournament Director), Stuart Ishida (Gym Coordinator), Kevin Eng (Equipment & Apparel Manager), Keith Morikawa (Historian & Social Media), Carol Kimura (Webmaster), and Dean Kobashigawa (Member at Large).
Last updated March 22, 2026.
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