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Kristaps Porzingis Learned A Lot and Inspired at NBA’s Rookie Transition Program

By William Lee

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According to Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated, the New York Knicks‘ rookie Kristaps Porzingis has learned a lot and has been inspired by the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program.

The NBA’s Rookie Transition Program was created by the National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association. The two collaborate to create educational and developmental programs for all incoming NBA rookies. The rookies go through six twelve-hour days, teaching them the dos and don’ts of being a professional athlete.

Porzingis did not think much of the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program at first.

"“I was coming in here thinking it was a long week of doing random stuff, but it’s actually fun,”“There’s a lot you can learn. It’s not the typical way you have fun, but for me, getting new information is really important.” “There’s a lot of little details I didn’t think about,”"

And learn a lot he did, according to Jeremy Woo in the Sports Illustrated piece, the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program

"covered a variety of topics including decision-making, money management, relationship building and career development. Social media and brand awareness have become a focus of the program in recent years."

While Woo’s article did not go in-depth into every topic discussed during this year’s NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, I took the liberty of looking up what previous Rookie Transition Program looked like and found this. Here is an old Rookie Transition Program from 2003. The topics are interesting to look through.

Prosfessional and Life Skills: Computer Training, Education, Finance, Professionalism/Networking

Player Development: Coach’s Huddle, NBA Legends Panel, Player to Player Panel with current NBA players, Players Association meeting, Rules of the Game, Special Sessions with Bill Russell and Bob Love

Personal Development and Education: Character, Image and Ethics Panel, Driving Safety, Drugs and Alcohol, Nutrition, Sexual Health, Stress and Anger Management

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Media and Community Relations: Community Relations, Media Training, NBA Communications, NBA Entertainment

Legal Education: Felony Situations, Gambling, Gender Violence, Security, Sexual Harassment

Special Sessions: Focus on the unique challenges facing:
– International players (i.e. Cultural Adaptation; Overcoming the Language Barrier; Acclimating to the NBA-style of play)
– Players “20 and under” (i.e. Being on your own for the first time; Interacting with Veterans; How to deal with Peer Pressure situations)

One panel that occurred this year was held by Chris Herren, a former NBA player who battled drug addiction throughout his career. Herren has been linked to heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, OxyContin, vicodin, percocet, you get the idea… As per Jeremy Woo, Herren’s recover story “especially struck a chord” with Porzingis.

"“The stories were inspirational,”“They’re presented so well, you can really relive that stuff. It was pretty powerful.”"

It sounds like Porzingis really enjoyed his experience at the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program.

"“I’m meeting all these new people, all the guys, I feel there’s a lot of support around me with the union,”“It’s the best league in the world. I’m excited to be a part of it.”"

Next: Kristaps Porzingis Showed Lots of Promise in Summer League

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