Student View: Interning with the NBA

Zophia Roach is a senior at Broad, majoring in marketing. She worked as a Content Production Assignment Desk Intern with the NBA in New York City this summer and was the recipient of the VanDussen Family Internship Fund.

A Day in the Life

It’s hard to define a “typical” day in this role, because honestly, no two days are ever the same. That’s part of what makes it so exciting. That said, my experience has generally fallen into two main types of days: Office Days and Shoot Days.

Office Days are all about planning and collaboration. These days revolve around preparing for events like Summer League, All-Star, Draft, Hall of Fame, and even the weekly NBA or WNBA games you see on air. A big part of this prep is making sure every game or event requesting coverage has an SPC (Single Person Capture) team ready to go.

Every morning starts with the Daily Content Meeting where every content-related department (broadcasting, social, photography, PR, NBA App, editing, WNBA, and more) comes together to align on what’s coming up and what support is needed. It’s a fast-paced environment, but also an incredible opportunity to see how much teamwork goes into every single piece of content.

Shoot Days are even more dynamic. The day before, the SPC gets an email outlining the location, crew, talent, and call time. On the day of it’s go-time, whether it’s a rooftop interview or a city-wide content shoot, you show up and bring the vision to life.

Biggest Takeaways & Memorable Moments

One of my biggest takeaways has been learning to own my space. Imposter syndrome is real—especially at the early stages of your career. But this experience has shown me that opportunities aren’t handed out randomly. If someone trusts you with a project or position, it’s because they believe in what you bring to the table. Trust that, and trust yourself.

My most unforgettable moment so far has been the week of the 2025 NBA Draft. I shadowed and assisted on shoots with players such as Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, VJ Edgecombe, and Kon Knueppel at iconic locations like Times Square, the NBA Store, and the Empire State Building. On Draft night, I had the opportunity to interview those same players on the red carpet as they made their league debut. I also had the surreal chance to interview Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee which meant the world to me as a former gymnast.

Behind the Internship

This experience wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of the VanDussen Family Internship Fund. Living in a big city comes with big expenses such as rent, transportation, and food. Thanks to this support, I haven’t had to stress about any of these factors and instead have been able to fully dive into every opportunity, every moment, and every connection. It has truly made all the difference, and I am forever grateful for the support.

Advice for Peers

One of the most meaningful pieces of advice I’ve ever received, and would like to relay, comes from a conversation with Commissioner Adam Silver. He said: “Bravery is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to face things even when they’re scary.”

Internship season is scary. It’s scary to trust the timing of your own journey when your feed is full of “I’m excited to announce…” LinkedIn posts, or you keep getting “We’ve decided to move forward with another candidate” emails. I remember feeling behind, wondering if I was ever going to land where I wanted to be. But what people don’t often talk about is how those rejections can be blessings in disguise. It’s okay, and completely normal, to face fear, failure, and disappointment. The right opportunity will come, and when it does, it will make sense why the others didn’t.

Another piece of advice I’ll always pass on: Be kind. Say please and thank you. Follow up. Be respectful and considerate. Take time to get to know the people around you—not just what they do, but who they are. Every person you work with has a story, and when you make the effort to connect beyond the surface, the experience becomes that much more meaningful. People truly make the place whether it’s senior representatives, or your fellow interns.

Lastly, stay curious. Before you even apply, take the time to research the company and role. Learn what the position actually involves and how your background fits. Understand the organization’s mission, values, and how you align with them. If you know who you are interviewing with, read about their path too—it shows effort, and that effort matters. Once you land the role, keep that curiosity going. Ask questions, explore other departments, and talk to people outside of your immediate team. This internship opened my eyes to parts of the industry I didn’t even know existed. Don’t box yourself in—be open, ask questions, and let curiosity guide you.

Overall, I think it’s important to remember that your favorite player was once a rookie too. Keep going, trust yourself, and you will always end up where you are meant to be.