NBA Foundation Expands Pathways Through HBCU Fellowship Program
The NBA Foundation continues to strengthen its mission of creating opportunity within the business of basketball through the NBA HBCU Fellowship Program, launched in 2022 to bridge Historically Black Colleges and Universities with careers across the NBA ecosystem.
Now in its fifth cohort, the program has supported 335 Fellows through hands-on internships, resulting in 204 job placements to date. Of those, 74 Fellows have joined the NBA or its teams, while 130 have entered the wider sports industry. The latest class features 70 Fellows from 23 HBCUs, officially welcomed following a two-day orientation at NBA headquarters in New York.
“Draft Day” Moment for Emerging Sports Professionals
During the second day of orientation, Fellows experienced a symbolic milestone inspired by the NBA Draft, as participants were called to the stage in groups, introduced to energetic music, and presented with caps representing their assigned NBA or WNBA teams.
The moment marked the beginning of a 10-week internship experience spanning multiple departments across league offices and team operations. According to NBA Foundation Head of Operations & Strategic Programs Lauren Sills, interest in the program continues to grow significantly across HBCUs and aspiring sports professionals seeking entry into the industry.
Building Access, Opportunity, and Industry Readiness
Sills, herself an HBCU alumna, said the program was designed to address long-standing barriers to opportunity in sports careers, noting the NBA’s unique position to create access at scale.
Since its launch in 2020, the NBA Foundation has partnered with more than 300 nonprofit organizations, supporting pathways into fields such as technology, marketing, and media. This year’s orientation also featured contributions from partners including Fearless Dialogues and Management Leadership for Tomorrow, who helped facilitate workshops and leadership panels.
NBA Foundation Partnerships Lead Genisha Metcalf encouraged Fellows to stay open-minded during cross-department conversations, emphasizing the value of building relationships beyond their immediate career interests.
Fellows Embrace First Steps Into the Business of Basketball
For many participants, the program represents both opportunity and transition into a new industry. Deanna Baskin, an incoming Portland Trail Blazers event services intern and Howard University alum, said the Fellowship offers her first direct exposure to the sports business world. She credited renewed personal motivation and a growing interest in event coordination as key reasons for applying, noting her desire to gain hands-on experience in the industry.
Another Fellow, Harmony Bailey, also from Howard University and an incoming Oklahoma City Thunder corporate communications intern, described the opportunity as the result of persistence after applying multiple times. Bailey encouraged future applicants to remain resilient, while reflecting on her long-standing ambition to work in sports media.
Innovation Sessions Highlight Future of Basketball Business
The orientation also featured a DTC Innovation Session led by NBA App and engineering leaders, including Jay Lee, Sydney Saracheck, and Ian Allen, alongside moderator Shannon Rhodes. The panel provided insight into the development of the Next Gen NBA App, from early ideation through its 2022 launch and continued evolution.
Fellows were encouraged to remain in what Sills described as “anticipation mode,” actively engaging with speakers and maximizing learning opportunities. Participants such as Baskin and Bailey took part in discussions, asking questions on innovation and industry practice.
As the Fellowship moves into its internship phase, participants say they are focused on absorbing experience, building connections, and advancing toward long-term careers in the sports industry.
