Welcome to NBA Summer League!
Getting a job in the NBA
Welcome to NBA Summer League! Most of you are likely arriving today or this weekend. Here are a few tips for your time in Vegas.
1 – Make a Friend
Simple enough? So many people get caught up in trying to meet Executives and Coaches and negate meeting their peers. Not only may it be more valuable to spend time with those who are on a similar trajectory as you, you’ll have a better time at Summer League by doing so.
Trying to meet people, canceling, re-scheduling, etc is stressful. Make some friends that you can walk the halls with, watch games with, and spend time with and it will make your experience in Vegas exponentially better.
2 – Eat a Big Breakfast and Dinner
You’re likely spending all day at the gyms. The food selections aren’t great. Eat a power-packed protein breakfast before arriving. You don’t want to be dependent on concession food to carry you through the day. Get a healthy meal in early and take some protein bars to the gym with you.
After you leave the gyms, go out to dinner with some of the people you met. There are likely going to be others you meet throughout the day that are in the same boat as you, showing up at Summer League and trying to make connections. Continue to build those connections by grabbing dinner after the game (or coffee in the morning).
3 – Enjoy Yourself
If it is your first time at NBA Summer League, you’ll quickly realize how fun Summer League hoops are. The access to players, coaches, and executives is unrivaled. The ability to jump from gym to gym and watch NBA players is amazing.
Don’t get too caught up or stressed out about not being able to meet or connect with everyone you want to. Do your best to be present, take advantage of the relationships you are able to build, and enjoy a great basketball environment.
You don’t need to get overwhelmed with carrying paper resumes and flash drives and anything else around (most people aren’t going to want those items passed on to them anyways). Carry a scouting notebook so you can write things down and have things available if needed but mostly, just take the time to make introductions, meet people, and enjoy the hoops scene.
Speaking of changing schedules, mine (John Ross) got changed recently and I will unlikely be able to attend Summer League this summer (although for the Baseball fans, I’ll be at the Edgar Martinez Golf Classic with RECOVER 180). I am penciled in for Summer League 2025 though. Bjorn Zetterberg will be representing GITG101 for those looking to connect. He has spent over a decade with the Trail Blazers, Magic, Cerebro Sports, Cleaning the Glass, and more. Bjorn along with Alex Burns (GITG101’s Basketball Ops All-Star Intern) will be setting up some sections at games for the GITG101 crew to hang and meet. If you aren’t on our Slack channel from the Draft or SL Courses, send an email to info@getinthegame101.com to be included in those meetups.
And as always, I love hearing your stories and welcome any feedback from Summer League. Shoot us an e-mail or drop me a note and let me know how things go!