Should I Give Up My NBA Hopes for this Year?

Getting a job in the NBA

Opening night for the NBA season is tomorrow night!  But what does that mean for you, those who have been trying to land an NBA Internship for this season?

1 – The Odds of Getting an NBA Internship this Season are Small

I say they are small but they are not 0.  Most NBA teams have completed their Internship process by now.  And if they have not finalized it, you would likely know if you are a final candidate at this time. 

Why I say it’s not 0 is because things change.  Internships fall through for some people for various reasons which means a team may need to fill a spot they didn’t know would be open.  And this goes throughout the season.  In my 15 years in the NBA, 95% of internships were filled July – September.  But those other 5% trickled in throughout the season.   I’ve even seen teams hiring as late as April (and then other teams hiring in May-June for summer Internships). 

So while it’s fair to move on, feel free to keep your ears and eyes peeled as well.

2 – There is Still Time to get a G-League Internship

Although most NBA internships are filled, usually the scramble filters down and leaves some openings in the G-League.  Not only are you more likely to find openings, there are less ‘rules’ attached to the G-League process with more opportunities to volunteer and make yourself available to support a G-League team. 

3 – Stay Connected to Basketball

First, be realistic.  The odds of you getting an NBA internship for this season are unlikely, again, not impossible but unlikely.  But the opportunities for you to stay connected to basketball and set yourself up for next season are still abundant. 

That may be at the NCAA level, high school level, even YMCA.  The key is staying connected.  As I shared with someone on the phone this week, it’s much easier to apply for another position within basketball while already holding a job and using that e-mail rather than not being involved in hoops.  The difference between ‘I love basketball and am willing to be involved at any level’ and ‘It’s my dream, hire me.’