Your NBA Summer League Journey Starts Today!

Getting a job in the NBA

If you are looking to get a job or internship in the NBA, NBA Summer League can play a vital role in that.  It is something I recommend almost everyone looking to get into the NBA to attend.  It’s not a requirement but can be a huge benefit.

Daniel Marks and myself will be hosting a Summer League Crash Course tonight and tomorrow to help prepare you for the journey. 

Because the first step is…

1 – Don’t Go Unprepared

If you are making the investment to attend Summer League, you want to get everything out of it that you can.  You don’t want to show up, not no how to get to the gym, where to stay… and then just hope to meet someone there.

You want to show up, know what your transportation is, know where you’re staying, and have a lineup of people you plan on connecting with.

This does not mean you need to sign up for every conference in town.  I find it much more valuable to meet people individually or in groups at the gym than to pay for a ticket to a conference.  I only recommend paying for a conference if it is specific to your long-term goals.

2 – Connect with Others Prior

You shouldn’t show up in Vegas and then start reaching out to people.  You shouldn’t walk over to the gym and hope to meet someone in the hallway.  You should have a plan and connections prior.

Will you run into people at the gym?  Absolutely.  But you don’t want that to be your only plan.  Start reaching out to those you want to connect with via linkedin or on e-mail to see if they’ll be at Summer League and if they will be available to chat with. 

One of the things we always talk about in our classes is connecting laterally.  You don’t need to just reach out to NBA Personnel, reach out to one another.  Find others who are in a similar space like you and plan to connect at Summer League.  One, it will make it a better experience to be able to enjoy Summer League and games with others.  Also, you’ll be able to feed off of each other’s connections.  And long-term, it’s not the current Head Coach or GM that is going to hire, it is more likely that it is one of your peers.  Stay connected. (For our Summer League Course, use the time before and after classes to connect)

3 – Have Fun!

Summer League is an amazing experience.  You will definitely be in proximity to legendary coaches, front office personnel, and NBA players.  The access is unrivaled.  Enjoy it!  Enjoy meeting people, enjoy the games.  Yes, it is a business trip, but the business of basketball is fun.  Make the most of your time while doing your best not to stress out about the logistics.

If someone gives you 30 seconds of their time, be grateful. If they give you 5 minutes, be grateful.  If they give you 30 minutes, be really grateful. 

Everybody is likely trying to meet somebody and make some kind of connection while they are there, no matter what level they are at.  So if you make a connection, no matter how long, embrace that.  And we hope to see and connect with you tonight!

Our NBA Summer League Crash Course Starts tonight.  It will be Monday and Tuesday evening (July 1, 2) at 5:00p PT / 8:00p ET.  Come early, stay late, get to know each other. 

Hosts and guests include: John Ross (Trail Blazers), Daniel Marks (Bucks), Bjorn Zetterberg (Magic / Blazers), Mike Visenberg (Pro Insight), Jeremiah Bonsu (Mavs / Rockets), Jamal Gross (Suns / Blazers), Mitch Thompson (Capitanes / Kings), Vasu Gupta (Pistons), Danny Thompson (ESPN).

Both sessions will be recorded if you are unable to make it live.   

(if you have already signed up for the Course, you have access to the Slack Channel with a Zoom link - if you have not gotten access, e-mail me at john@getinthegame101.com and I’ll make sure you are set for class tonight!)