Often, the glory in basketball goes to the highest scorer, or the person making the seemingly impossible buzzer-beating jump shot. But in the Metro Swoosh League there is more to basketball than scoring, there's also being a role model.

In 1999, Nike is introducing a new element to its New York grassroots basketball league for boys and girls 8-16 years old¬The Nike Role Model Award program. A handful of league participants will be "Recognized for Outstanding Lasting Effort." The Nike ROLE Model Award honors those who have demonstrated the positive characteristics of being involved in sports such as leadership, commitment and teamwork. Candidates for the award will be nominated by their coaches and chosen by their league site directors.

The Boys & Girls club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich and the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club are participating in the program.

"Nike has always been a strong supporter of providing kids, of all ages and skill levels, with the opportunity to play sports," said Paul Frankel, Nike's brand marketing manager for the eastern region. "We are also strong believers in reaching kids with positive messages that stress the importance of character development. The Nike ROLE Model Award and the metro Swoosh League deliver on both of those objectives."

The Metro Swoosh Basketball League goes beyond being a traditional youth basketball league. In addition to encouraging strong competition and fun on the courts, it is also meant to help boys and girls develop important "life skills." The Metro Swoosh's inaugural season was a huge success, in fact, sites on Long Island and Westchester have been added to the roster this year. During the 1999 season, total of 31 sites, made up of mostly boys & girls clubs and parks & recreation centers, will participate in the Metro Swoosh League.

The winter league, which includes boys and girls from the five boroughs of NYC, Westchester and Long Island began Jan. 17 and ends with league playoff games and borough championships in late April. On May 2, Nike plans to honor the accomplishments of the Nike ROLE Model Award winners and league champions with a special sports themed celebration in Manhattan.