As one of the most competitive jobs in the world of basketball, becoming an NBA referee is hard work. Meanwhile, the league routinely looks to acquire new talent, and more than 3,000 officials evaluate its program for the top 100 at the grassroots level, appointing between four and 13 umpires.
Under a three-year program, the League has restructured the vast amount of foundational knowledge and experience required to work as a professional referee to include a Referee Development Program. Aimed at a growing demographic of young aspirants, the third inaugural class, which includes six, is currently 13 months in.
Immersive experience.
Monty McCutchen, a 25-year veteran and head of referee training and development, sits on the 20th floor of the company’s headquarters in midtown Manhattan, explaining the daily commute the group takes.
“RDPs learn the visual structure of our language. And they hear this all day long, through all the different discussions we’ve had,” he explains. “By having them in the office, it allows for a greater osmosis type of learning.”
Tuesday through Thursday, interns are taught the basics needed for a lifelong career, while immersed in the floor of the bustling basketball operations that McCutcheon currently occupies.
“If we let them learn the craft, we really think they’ll do well and serve basketball, wherever they end up,” McCutcheon adds. “And I’m really glad this class, in particular, has embraced that learning.”