Embassy Suites by Hilton & Four Seasons Hotel - Las Vegas July 14-15, 2024

2024 Basketball Career Conference in Las Vegas

Join us July 14th and 15th when the NBA Summer League* and Exposure Camps make Las Vegas the center of the basketball world for a chance to learn, network, and advance your career.

What is the SMWW Basketball Career Conference?

The SMWW day-long career conference is a unique opportunity to start or advance your career in basketball. The event brings together a diverse set of panelists with decades of experience in athlete management, scouting, analytics, coaching, and player development. Our Welcome Reception and Networking Lunch offers attendees an invaluable chance to expand their networks in the basketball world.

Who Should Attend the 2024 Basketball Career Conference?

This conference is designed for individuals like you who have always dreamed of working in basketball. Whether you aspire to become an agent, executive, analyst, or sales & marketing executive, you will gain insider information directly from industry professionals. The mix of panels and networking events makes this one of the best events to get ahead in your basketball career.

What will you gain from attending the SMWW Basketball Career Conference?

  • Real connections with basketball industry experts 
  • Insight into the latest trends in scouting, agency, coaching, and analytics
  • Knowledge of who is hiring and how you can stand out in the application process
  • Career guidance from basketball insiders
  • Strategies to catapult your basketball career to the next level - regardless of which part of the industry you are in


Be a part of the highest quality discussions regarding basketball careers and industry insights – this is the event to help sharpen your skills! All participants are encouraged to ask questions and interact with leaders in professional and collegiate basketball.

What is the NBA Summer League* & Basketball Exposure Camps?

The NBA Summer League takes place shortly after the NBA Draft and is your first chance to see the next wave of NBA stars start their professional journey.  

This year, the NBA Summer League* is in Las Vegas from July 7-17th, 2023. 

The event gives rookies, G League players, and other fringe NBA players a chance to show their worth at the NBA level. Games are played at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus. You can register to be the first to know about ticket sales here. 

In attendance will be league executives, team owners, general managers, team scouts, coaches, agents, media, and current and former NBA players from around the world.

Each summer Las Vegas becomes the mecca of basketball. If you want to work in basketball, there is no better place to make the right connections than Las Vegas.

Note: NBA Summer League* tickets can be purchased at the door or online at nbatickets.com. Tickets usually go on sale in May. Tickets are not included with the SMWW Basketball Career Conference. You do not need to attend the SMWW Basketball Career Conference to gain entry into the NBA Summer League Games*. If you'd like to book a hotel room through our discount block of rooms, please register for the conference first, then you will receive a group discount link. 

*SMWW's Career Conference is not affiliated or any way connected with the NBA, NBA Summer League Games, or NBA G-League

 

2024 Featured Speakers
*Speakers are subject to change.

 
RC Buford
San Antonio Spurs CEO
 
Anthony McClish
NBA G-League Ignite GM
 
Michael Preston
Indiana Pacers VP of Basketball Communication and PR
 
Khalia Collier
Dallas Mavericks VP of Basketball Ops
 
Amin Elhassan
Sports Commentator
 
Yann Balikouzou
NBA and FIBA Agent
 
Natalie Nakase
Las Vegas Aces asst Coach
 
Isaiah Covington
Boston Celtics Performance Coach
 
Zoe Vernon
OKC Thunder Strategic Planning Analyst
 
Dean Oliver
NBA Analytics Pioneer
 
Dei Lynam
Veteran Sports Announcer
 
John Ross
Former Portland Trail Blazers Video Coordinator
 
Daniel Villarreal
Washington Wizards Player Development/Video Coordinator
 
Carl Berman
NetScouts Managing Partner
 
Joel Corry
Former NFL & NBA Agent and Salary Cap Expert
 
Bret Kanis
NBA Agent and Sports Attorney
 
Rick Sund
Former NBA GM
 
Larry Riley
Former Golden State Warriors GM
 
Irv Roland
Utah Jazz Asst. Coach
 
Lynn Lashbrook
President & Founder of SMWW. Certified Sports Agent. Former NCAA Athletic Director.

2023 SMWW Basketball Career Conference Agenda

(​Speakers and times are not guaranteed. This agenda WILL change. More speakers are added daily.)

Sunday, July 9th, 2023    
7-9:30 pm SMWW Welcome Reception
Embassy Suites by Hilton Coconuts Sports Lounge

Monday, July 10th
SMWW Basketball Career Conference
Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom
7:30 am: Registration Opens at the Four Seasons Hotel

7:50 am: Opening Remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

8:00 am What It Takes to Represent Professional Basketball Players Across the Globe
Bret Kanis, NBA and FIBA Agent, SMWW Mentor
Joel Corry, CBS Sports "Agents Take" Writer, SMWW Mentor
Yann Balikouzou, Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE) Director of International Basketball
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Sports Management Worldwide President/Founder (Moderator)

9:00 am One-on-One with San Antonio Spurs CEO RC Buford
RC Buford, San Antonio Spurs CEO
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

9:45 am: Break

10:00 am The Life of an NBA General Manager
Rick Sund, former Detroit Pistons, Seattle Sonics, and Atlanta Hawks GM, SMWW Mentor
Larry Riley, Atlanta Hawks Special Assistant to the GM, SMWW Mentor
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

11:00 am Scouting the Future Stars of the NBA and Beyond
Anthony McClish, NBA G-Leauge Ignite General Manager
Carl Berman, Netscouts Basketball Managing Partner, SMWW Mentor
Irv Roland, NBA asst Coach, SMWW Mentor 
Ike Worth, Sports Management Worldwide Business Operations Manager (Moderator)

12:00 pm Networking Lunch Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom

1:00 pm The Power and Impact of Analytics in Basketball
Dean Oliver, Basketball Analytics Pioneer, NBA asst. Coach, SMWW Mentor
Daniel Villarreal, Washington Wizards Player Development/Video Coordinator
Somak Sarkar, Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball Operations
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

2:00 pm The Business of Media in Basketball
Dei Lynam, NBA G-League and NCAA Broadcaster, SMWW Mentor
Michael Preston, Indiana Pacers Senior VP of Basketball Communications and PR
Amin Elhassan, Veteran Sports Broadcaster
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

3:00 pm The Secrets to Breaking into Basketball
Zoe Vernon, OKC Thunder Strategic Planning Analyst
Khalia Collier, Dallas Mavericks Vice President & Cheif of Staff of Basketball Ops
Isaiah Covington, Boston Celtics Performance Coach
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

4:00 pm Closing Remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

5:00 pm- 10:00 pm Attend the Summer League Games at UNLV - see 8 NBA Teams play in one day! (Note: Summer League tickets not included with registration)
Thomas & Mack and Cox Pavillion on UNLV Campus

Please Note: SMWW's Career Conference is not affiliated or in any way connected with the NBA, the NBA Summer League Games, or the NBA G-League.

Where is the SMWW Basketball Career Conference?


Welcome Reception 
Sunday, July 14th | 5-7pm
Location TBD


Basketball Career Conference
Monday, July 14th | 8 am-4 pm

Location TBD

Basketball Games & Exposure Camps on your own:

University of Las Vegas Thomas & Mack Center 

"I learned so much at the SMWW Basketball Career Conference, it was a great experience and an amazing opportunity to network. Being able to interact with professional personnel and team decision-makers inspiring and educational. I feel the knowledge I acquired will lead directly to a sports career. Thank you, SMWW!"

- Tara Iguidbashian, University of San Diego
 
Registration Now Open!

This event is limited to the first 90

Conference Registration includes:

Prices Increase May 1st
Prices Increase
May 1st

General Admission : $500 $350.00 USD

 

College Students, Faculty & SMWW Alumni : $500 $325.00 USD

 

Team & Agency Employees : $500 $325.00 USD


** Please note that the conference fee does not include flight or hotel accommodations.

Walk-up registrations will not be accepted. Please register online in advance.

 

 



Download a Copy of the
2023 SMWW Basketball Career Conference Program Here

Download a Copy of the 2023 SMWW Basketball Career Conference Program Here

 

Thank you! We will let you know as soon as conference dates are announced!