WASHINGTON — The NBA is defending its minimum age requirement to Congress, but a critical lawmaker is unmoved and wants to meet with top league officials to discuss it.

NBA President Joel Litvin told Rep. Steve Cohen in a recent letter that the age requirement increases the chances that players can perform at a high level. The policy requires that players be at least 19 years old and a year out of high school before entering the league.
But Cohen, a Tennessee Democrat who had urged the league to drop the requirement, told Litvin in a letter Monday that he was concerned that players are being harmed by the rule. He asked to meet with Litvin and Commissioner David Stern. The letters were obtained by The Associated Press.