The overall goal of the MNBL is to provide an organized basketball program for at least 80-90 at-risk Malden youth in grades 10 through 12 who do not play for their school basketball team. The MNBL has several components that include:

  1. Implementation of a comprehensive promotion and recruitment plan targeting students at local public and private high schools;
  2. Registration and “tryouts” process which allows coaches to identify strengths and abilities of participants, and assign them to teams appropriately;
  3. Weekly basketball practice which aims to improve the skills and abilities of participants, and offer the consistent presence of an adult-role model/coach;
  4. Competitive weekly games between the teams within the league that fosters team-building and sportsmanship among youth and their peers;
  5. Education about risk behaviors such as tobacco use, substance abuse, and violence through information shared during basketball practices; and
  6. Annual League Banquet that celebrates and honors those students and coaches who participated in the program.

By providing youth with the above-mentioned program components, the MNBL seeks to:

  1. Increase self-esteem and self-confidence among players;
  2. Improve player skills and abilities in basketball;
  3. Decrease social and health risk behaviors among youth; and
  4. Improve academic performance among student athletes.

For the past thirty-two years, the MNBL has been supported through private donations from local businesses and organizations, player registration fees, funding derived from a concession stand held at games, and income derived from other fundraising activities.

In order to carry out all necessary program components that meet an important community need, the MNBL relies on city funding to cover the decreased income from fund-raising, and the increased gymnasium costs.