09/19/2022
Working in the NBA Draft process is a unique and challenging position for a Nutritionist. Over the years I have learned to balance high performance philosophies with NBA expectations and industry standards (which are not always set by performance professionals but nevertheless have to be factored in).
This is the framework I use at IMPACT to maximize adaptations in a short window (2-3 months) and to “tell the story” of change to agents, NBA front office staff and organisations, which can ultimately inform conversations and decisions on draft stock and position.
1. Assess: “If you’re not assessing you’re guessing” - Consultation, SNKQ, Body comp (ISAK/InBody 770 (DXA preferable), Biomarkers (E.g. deficiencies, metabolic health, markers of inflammation and recovery status) and combine testing.
2. Compare: Based on assessments, I compare each athlete to the mean scores of position-matched draftees from past selections. Although we know as performance professionals that this is highly individual and not necessarily indicative of in-game performance potential, the decision makers may not and therefore rely on previous data as gospel.
3. Project: Build a suitable goal and trajectory for each athlete and place a timeframe on it (E.g. when NBA workouts begin, or worst case scenario, the combine). At this time communication with the agents and on-court staff is absolutely critical!!
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