Malik Burnett

Have you ever heard the term “Hoopstate?” Being born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, right in the middle of the heart of college basketball’s largest rivalries – NC State, UNC, and Duke – it was something I heard and endeared all too often.&nbsp; Especially, being raised in the household – and essentially on campus – of an ex-NC State player.&nbsp; Being exposed to basketball at an early age came with a dash of naivety.&nbsp; After, watching a few NBA games you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t going to grow up to be Steve Nash.&nbsp; Although I never inherited his acute vision or craft with the ball, I began to understand the tremendous amount of effort and dedication that goes with being a great basketball player, soon realizing playing in the NBA was not in my cards.&nbsp;

Although, I soon learned that there are other exciting ways to still be a part of basketball outside of playing.&nbsp; While coaching didn’t intrigue me, getting a taste of the business and operations side did.&nbsp; Orchestrating and dictating everything to go as smoothly as planned, is a challenge that, like coaching, takes preparation.

Being able to spend the summer of 2022 as an HBCU Fellowship winner and get a first-hand look at how the Hornets not only generate revenue, but also lay out the foundation of their future, was a dream come true.&nbsp; On the outside looking in, you always wonder what goes into the major decisions that organizations take on, especially the way the NBA has grown over the last few years.&nbsp; Being fortunate enough to be a fly on the wall on some of the meetings that go on, gave me insight into all the different factors that senior leaders take into consideration when conducting business.&nbsp; This internship gave me the opportunity to develop not only my basketball acumen, but also how to complement the business behind it.&nbsp; As I strive to one day be at the head of an NBA team, the Hornets allowed me my introduction into the tight-knit NBA circle and provided me the opportunity to learn, grow, and essentially be myself.&nbsp;

With the Hornets priding themselves on inclusion and diversity, I felt right at home as I met everyone throughout the organization from inside sales up to President Fred Whitfield, who is an HBCU alum himself. While I take, the skills learned through the duration of this internship with me to finish my Master’s degree at North Carolina Central, I know I will be better prepared for when the NBA comes calling for a full-time position.&nbsp; Hopefully, it’s a reunion with the home state, or should I say “Hoopstate”, team but even if it’s an opportunity elsewhere, I have learned that while the NBA is ultra-competitive it is also very progressive and everyone wants to see you succeed.

For this, soon-to-be double HBCU graduate, I can’t be more appreciative of the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets for allowing me to begin my journey in the same place I discovered my love for the game. While I continue to strive and reach my goals, I hope to keep learning the true ins and outs of what it takes to make an NBA organization run as I rise through the ranks on my journey to the top.

Applications for the 2023 NBA HBCU Fellowship is now live through Monday, Feb. 20. Apply today - https://www.childrensdefense.org/programs/nba-foundation-hbcu-fellowship/ - for the opportunity to work across the league and join our NBA Family!

Malik Burnett

What An Opportunity To Work HBCU Fellowship In My Hoopstate