Daniel Medina

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WASHINGTON, DC – The Washington Wizards announced today three new additions to their athlete care and performance group, with Director of Player Health Dr. Michael Ashton, Director of Physical and Performance Therapy Dr. Michael Davis and Director of Athletic Performance Adam Petway joining the team under Monumental Basketball Chief of Athlete Care &amp; Performance Dr. Daniel Medina.

“Dr. Ashton, Dr. Davis and Adam all have tremendous experience in their respective positions across various sports entities and add expertise across many different disciplines,” said Medina.  “They will combine with our existing staff to maximize health and performance for the Wizards and assist with providing the best care possible for all of the athletes in the Monumental Basketball family.”

Ashton, Davis and Petway join Medina and Vice President of Player Performance Mark Simpson, Wizards Director of Player Rehabilitation and Therapy Jesse Phillips, Wizards/Go-Go Assistant Athletic Trainer Carlos Bustamante, Mystics Athletic Trainer Chalisa Fonza, Mystics Strength Coach Sarah Walls and Nutritionist Sue Saunders in the athlete care and performance group.  The staff will continue to work in conjunction with MedStar Health and assist one another across the Monumental Basketball platform.

Ashton, a dual-credentialed clinician, will play a leading and pivotal role in the provision of medical care, integrative rehabilitation services and injury reduction strategies. In addition, he will perform the functions of a head athletic trainer and will provide technical leadership to the Monumental Basketball athletic trainers.  After 10 years working as a physical therapist in orthopedic and sports settings, Ashton joined the Oklahoma City Thunder organization as a physical therapist and athletic trainer, serving in a dual role for the G League’s Oklahoma City Blue before transitioning to the Thunder full time in 2018.

Michael Davis will add his experience in the prevention, clinical management, and return to play strategies for the Wizards, while also providing technical leadership for all Monumental Basketball teams.  He brings over 17 years of experience working as a physical therapist in neurological, orthopedic, circulatory, and sports settings, working with athletes from the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, and combat sports.  Davis comes to the Wizards most recently from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he worked for the past five seasons after joining the organization as a performance physical therapist in 2015.

Petway will be responsible for leading the delivery of evidence-based strength and conditioning programs for the Wizards and will work very closely with other members of the athlete care and performance group in the execution of player injury prevention and recovery programs. Petway comes to the organization from the Philadelphia 76ers, where he spent the last two seasons as the team’s lead biomechanist and strength coach.  He began his career in the DMV area with strength and conditioning roles at The Catholic University of America, The George Washington University, and the University of Maryland before working as director of strength and conditioning for men’s basketball at the University of Arkansas.

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Wizards announce additions to Athlete Care & Performance group

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Hope everyone had a great weekend! After being officially eliminated over the weekend, this will be our last week in the bubble. Five-plus weeks later, we will head back to D.C. later in the week.

On Saturday, the morning after the team was eliminated from a possible play-in game after a loss to the Pelicans, we still went to work. The players and coaches had a two-hour film session, followed by low-minute players getting practice time in. The commitment to getting better, despite one of our goals of making the playoffs, was on full display on Saturday.

The team held another quick film session before the game Sunday, but unfortunately a poor start was too much to come back from against OKC. The early start time is an easy excuse, but everybody was disappointed considering we hadn’t dropped a dud like that since we got here. Still, there are two more opportunities coming up against the Bucks and Celtics this week to get better.

Reality is really setting in now that we’ll be leaving in less than a week. I’ve been taking more video to document the everyday stuff I’m used to that many people have not seen – testing, the Yacht Club campus, the arenas, and more. It took a bit to get adjusted here, but we’re so used to everything here now. Transitioning back to our usual lives, though not normal by any means, will require an adjustment in itself.

Many have said, “How will the teams that make a deep run manage to stay in the bubble until October?” Honestly, I think everyone will be just fine. Everyone is in grind mode now, and the accomodations are not much different than what these teams are used to. There’s no travel to other cities and you aren’t with your family and loved ones. But, during the playoffs, we almost have no time for anything but the playoffs, whether you work on the basketball or the business side.

Thank you for Front Office Sports for showcasing our Wizney World Blog and the Japanese version, Ohayo Wizards!

I also appreciated the shout out that the NBC Sports Washington team gave me in the fourth quarter of the broadcast on Sunday. Special thanks to play-by-play man Justin Kutcher, analyst Glenn Consor, and producer Rich Wolff, all of who are part of our usual traveling party and great people I’ve gotten to know very well. I appreciate the support that our content team back home has given me, as well.

To round out this post, I caught up with Dr. Daniel Medina, who is Monumental Basketball’s Chief of Athlete Care &amp; Performance. Dr. Medina and his group have done a phenomenal job keeping us safe and healthy since this entire journey began in late June.

1. What has the experience been like for you personally and professionally?

Professionally, it has been a really unique experience. It’s hard to believe that it was only 6-8 weeks ago that making it to the bubble and then being able to restart the season seemed like a chimera for most of us. Having the opportunity to participate directly in the process the NBA has put in place with the teams to create the safest possible environment has been really enriching professionally. The opportunity to live 24/7 with our athletes and coaches has also created spaces for interaction that we normally don’t have. I have had similar experiences with FC Barcelona during the summer tours in the U.S. or Asia, but definitely the bubble aspect makes this experience a unique experience. In a more personal side, it has been hard being away from the family. Definitely the most taxing aspect of the bubble. On the other hand, I normally don’t have much time to slow down, reflect and look at the world around me with a more paused and reflective perspective; the bubble has provided those opportunities. In addition, I have had time to catch up with many colleagues and players around the League. So overall, the bubble has been a positive experience.

2. How have the Wizards and Mystics continued to adhere to the guidelines and protocols?

Both leagues have made it really easy to follow the protocols once in the bubble. Education plays a major role and we have had many meetings to remind all us that use of masks and proper physical distancing are key to avoid outbreaks. Our players and coaches have been outstanding, but I must give huge credit to Jeff Bangs, the head athletic trainer for the Wizards and Chalisa Fonza, head athletic trainer for the Mystics. They have done a tremendous job keeping everyone updated and taking care of all the details, making sure everyone is safe and to follow the most up to date protocols.

3. What is the medical setup like in the NBA campus in Orlando?

I have been in contact with many colleagues from professional soccer and basketball in Europe, and I can assure you the medical setup NBA has created in the bubble is first class. The daily screening with questionnaires, temperature checks, pulse oximetry and testing make possible a really early detection but most importantly all the details to avoid transmission have been carefully designed: number of people in rooms, buses, at the tables at the restaurant, constant cleaning of high traffic areas, etc. Regarding the medical support, we are one of the few teams to have our team physician here, Dr. Bryan Murtaugh. Along with the easy access to the campus clinic with full access to MRI, CT and a clean pathway to pretty much any hospital specialty, it makes the campus a really safe environment for our athletes to play basketball.

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Wizney World Blog: Final week, interview with Dr. Daniel Medina

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Tommy Sheppard & Daniel Medina Media Availability - 6/29/20

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WASHINGTON, DC – The Washington Wizards announced today that Mark Simpson has been named vice president of player performance for Monumental Basketball.

“Mark brings over 25 years of sports science experience to Monumental Basketball,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard.  “His vast global knowledge will be a great asset for us as we expand and strengthen our athlete care and player performance across all of our teams.”

Simpson comes to Washington after spending the last three seasons as director of performance for the Los Angeles Clippers.  In Los Angeles, Simpson oversaw the team’s player load management strategies, including the production of individualized off-season, pre-season, and in-season load-management plans that incorporated game minute management, practice and workout recommendations.  Prior to working for the Clippers, Simpson spent five seasons as the director of performance science with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“We are very happy to have Mark join Monumental Basketball, as he is world class sport scientist with global and NBA experience,” said Chief of Athlete Care and Performance for Monumental Basketball Daniel Medina. “His talent, original ideas and team-oriented thinking will create positive synergy give our athletes another resource to achieve the best version of themselves.”

Before coming to the NBA, Simpson held positions in Olympic and professional sports in England, including posts as head of strength and conditioning for the Great Britain Cycling Team and head of strength and conditioning for the English Institute of Sport.

A native of West Yorkshire, England, Simpson holds a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in sport science from Loughborough University in England.

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Simpson named VP of player performance for Monumental Basketball

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Photos: Monumental Basketball Meet & Greet - 7/24/19

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Photos: Monumental Basketball Introductory Press Conference

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment Ted Leonsis announced the leadership team for Monumental Basketball, a newly-formed collective that includes the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go and Wizards District Gaming.  Tommy Sheppard will serve as general manager of the Wizards, Sashi Brown will serve as chief planning and operations officer for Monumental Basketball and Daniel Medina will serve as chief of athlete care &amp; performance for Monumental Basketball.

“We have formed a new leadership team with a forward-thinking structure to adapt to the ‘new NBA’ that requires every possible strategic advantage to compete and win,” said Leonsis.  “We are building a leadership brain trust with deep Wizards/NBA experience and with sports professionals from inside and outside the NBA to challenge our thinking and adapt to an ever-increasing competitive environment.”

Sheppard will lead strategy, analytics, player personnel, scouting and coaching for the Wizards, Go-Go and District Gaming while Brown and Medina will lead teams providing shared services to all Monumental Basketball franchises. Brown will manage efforts relating to technology, finance, communications, security, research and player engagement and Medina will head up medical, training, mental health, strength and conditioning, nutrition and physical therapy/recovery.  Mike Thibault will continue to lead all basketball activities for the Mystics as head coach/general manager while Pops Mensah-Bonsu will continue as general manager for the Go-Go, reporting to Sheppard.

As part of the new organizational structure, Leonsis also announced a new athlete development &amp; engagement department which will be led by former Georgetown and Princeton Head Coach John Thompson III.  Thompson will use his vast experience to lead a team that will focus on maximizing player potential both on and off the court for all Monumental Basketball athletes.  Employing a holistic development approach, the department will focus on financial literacy, post-playing career opportunities and the overall empowerment and development of the athletes.

In addition to Sheppard’s promotion and the addition of Brown, Medina and Thompson, Leonsis also announced two promotions of current staff.  Sashia Jones, who previously served as vice president of community relations, was promoted to vice president of player engagement and will work with Thompson to provide services to players for all teams.  Brett Greenberg, who previously served as vice president of basketball analytics/salary cap management, was promoted to assistant general manager for strategy and analytics.

Entering his 25th year of service in the NBA and his 17th with the Wizards organization, Sheppard has earned a reputation as one of the league’s most innovative and creative executives.  While with the Wizards, his responsibilities have included salary cap management, negotiations, draft preparation, talent evaluation of collegiate athletes and professionals both domestically and abroad, recruitment and evaluation of free agents, statistical evaluation, the hiring of coaches and personnel, and monitoring the Wizards’ efforts in the NBA’s Player Programs.

He has also organized the Wizards’ training camp and preseason schedules, overseen the athletic training, strength training, video, technology and equipment areas for the team and directed in-arena renovations to areas including the Wizards' locker room, players' lounge, family lounge and front offices.

Sheppard served as the Nuggets’ Senior Director of Team Services and Player Relations before his arrival in Washington. With Denver, he oversaw all internal and external communications functions and scouted international, high school, collegiate and minor league talent.

An active figure within the United States Olympic Movement for over a decade, Sheppard worked as a press attaché for the three Summer Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004), as well as three Olympic Festivals and the 2003 Pan American Games. He assisted with the formation of the Northern European Basketball League (which realigned as part of FIBA Europe) and also serves on the Industry Advisory Council for the American Public University and the American Military University Systems.

A graduate of Harvard Law and Hampton University, Brown is a seasoned NFL executive who has served within both football and business operations.

In 2016, Brown was promoted to executive vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns, where he was responsible for developing the organization’s short and long-term visions and strategies in collaboration with the ownership group.  He also oversaw Cleveland’s scouting functions and management of the roster and salary cap.

Brown was originally hired by Cleveland in 2013 as executive vice president and general counsel, where he served the franchise in both football and business capacities.  He was responsible for overseeing the roster and salary cap while also directing the team’s football administration functions, including negotiation of players contracts. On the business side, his duties included insurance and risk management, licensing and intellectual property issues and litigation management.

Brown started his career as an attorney at Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr in Washington, DC, where he represented clients in a variety of transactions including venture capital and private equity deals as well as mergers and acquisitions.  He joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005 where he served as senior vice president and general counsel, working on both the football and business side of the franchise’s operations.

Daniel Medina comes to Washington having spent the last two seasons as the vice president of athlete care for the Philadelphia 76ers. In his role with the 76ers, Dr. Medina oversaw all areas of athlete care and performance, including the medical and sports science departments, as well as the athletic training, physiotherapy, nutrition and strength and conditioning departments.

Prior to Philadelphia, Dr. Medina spent over a decade with Fútbol Club Barcelona. Dr. Medina finished his tenure with the team as deputy director of the sports science and medical department, where he managed 2,000 athletes and more than 125 athlete care and performance staff members.

Dr. Medina served as team physician for FC Barcelona from 2008-2015 and first joined its medical services department in 2005. He also served as a driving force behind FC Barcelona’s award-winning Barca Innovation Hub. Dr. Medina was heavily involved in Barca Innovation Hub’s evaluation and research of emerging products, particularly those designed to aid in athlete health and performance.

Dr. Medina boasts an extensive résumé in athlete care and sports performance. In addition to earning a PhD from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Medical School in Spain, Dr. Medina holds master’s degrees from the University of Barcelona (Evaluative Medicine) and University Pablo Olavide (Fútbol Conditioning and Rehab). He also graduated from the International Olympic Committee’s sports nutrition program and participated in continuing health care education programs at Harvard Business School.

John Thompson III brings a vast array of experience to Monumental Basketball, including 13 years (2004-2017) as head coach at iconic Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Thompson arrived at Georgetown with a unique pedigree as the son of one Hall of Fame coach and the student of another, having played basketball for the legendary coach Pete Carril as an undergraduate at Princeton University.  He achieved several coaching milestones, including an NCAA Final Four appearance, two NCAA Sweet-16 appearances, three Big East regular season championships and one Big East tournament championship. In his four years as head coach at Princeton, Thompson won three Ivy League championships. Overall, he owns a stellar 346-193 (.641) all-time record and was named Big East Coach of the Year (2013), NABC Coach of the Year (2007) and was a two-time recipient of the Black Coaches Association (BCA) Male Coach of the Year.

Following his tenure at Georgetown, Thompson continued his path as a stalwart in basketball, serving as an analyst for ESPN and an assistant coach for the USA Men’s National Team (where he assisted head coach Jeff Van Gundy as the team qualified for the 2019 FIBA World Cup). He also served on the Commission on College Basketball (established by the NCAA Board of Governors, Division I Board of Directors and the NCAA president and chaired by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to fully examine critical aspects of Division I men’s basketball) and was the recipient of the 2019 Guardians of the Game Award for Service, presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Off the court, Thompson has been an active member of his community. His greatest contribution was establishing the John Thompson III Foundation in 2007 to create a positive and lasting impact on the city he cherishes, Washington, DC.  He currently he serves on the boards of his alma mater, Gonzaga College High School, the NABC and the non-profit, Men Against Breast Cancer.

Entering her 18th season in the Washington Wizards organization, Sashia Jones has established the organization as a pillar of philanthropy in the DC metropolitan community.

Under her leadership as vice president of community relations, the team has established signature events such as Salute to the Stars, Family to Family, the Special Olympics Unified game and the Thanksgiving Day Assist which have all been recognized as best practices in the NBA.

Jones has also implemented programs and initiatives for Wizards All-Stars John Wall and Bradley Beal that have led to each winning the NBA’s Community Assist Season-long award.  This award is given to an NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities.  In addition to established community events, Jones has partnered the organization with  numerous social and charitable organizations throughout the DC metropolitan area, including Make-a-Wish which helps fulfill the wishes of children experiencing health challenges, and Bright Beginnings Inc., which assists children experiencing homelessness with opportunities to receive educational assistance and special experiences during every holiday season.

A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowie State University.

Brett Greenberg is in his 10th season with the Wizards, recently completing his third as vice president of basketball analytics/salary cap management. In his role, Greenberg leads the Wizards’ analytical efforts while assisting with all salary cap and Collective Bargaining Agreement matters.

Prior to his promotion, Greenberg served as basketball operations assistant/video coordinator for the team for two seasons, where he played a vital role in the coaching staff’s preparation by providing video breakdowns of opposing teams and individual players as well as video analysis of the individual strengths and weaknesses of Wizards players. He served as basketball operations assistant/technology during his first two seasons with the organization.

Greenberg came to Washington after spending the 2008-09 season in the basketball operations department for the Miami Heat as a video intern. Prior to working for the Heat, he served as a student manager and assistant video coordinator for four years for the Duke men’s basketball team from 2004-08. Greenberg graduated from Duke University in 2008 with a degree in Sociology.

A native of Owings Mills, Maryland, Greenberg graduated from McDonogh School in 2004. While in high school, he worked for the men’s basketball team at Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julie College) for two seasons.