Opportunities at All Levels of Sport:

Harold played basketball passionately throughout his childhood and high school years but quickly realized he needed to rely on other skills to make it to the NBA. As such, he became the Manager of the boys’ team towards the end of his high school career. Later, while studying at Vanderbilt University, he became a practice player for the women’s basketball team, which he says was the best experience of his college tenure. Harold learned from many high-level basketball professionals there, including some coaches who played in the NBA and WNBA. During this time, he learned the value of patience and remaining receptive to opportunities.

Still, Harold was still determining his plans after graduating with a degree in Economics and French. However, he had experience working with inner-city kids in New York City and a deep interest in basketball, and he longed to get back into the sport. By leveraging his resources and connections, he was able to seize the moment and overcome a big obstacle with the help of his good friend, Daniel Marks, who is currently the Chief Program Strategist at Howard University Men's Basketball. Harold secured a player relations internship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015 with his assistance. Over the next six years, he continued impacting the organization, which led to multiple promotions. Ultimately, his dedication and hard work paid off six years later when he was promoted to Director of Player Enrichment and Programming.

NBA Front Office:

With several years as a player representative under his belt, Harold says three core skills are essential to succeed. Firstly, you must be able to make quick decisions that align with the team's vision. As a high-level decision-maker and problem-solver, upper management often requires prompt answers, and it is essential to represent the players with decisions that align with the short and long-term goals of the team from a cultural standpoint. Secondly, being able to communicate effectively and efficiently is a must-have. A player representative must be able to communicate with anyone in the room, whether it's others in the front office, the CEO, the ownership team, or an intern who has just started. Adapting to the environment and communicating with people at different levels is essential to ensure the player's voice is heard and understood. Lastly, flexibility and adaptability to change are highly valued for anyone working in the NBA. No two days are the same, and as a player representative, you have to be able to adjust to any situation that may arise, especially when it comes to players and their families. Adapting to change is essential to ensure the players' needs are met and their voices are heard.

Navigating Pro Sports:

Harold aims to run an NBA team one day and in pursuit of that, has positioned himself at the crossroads of player engagement, culture, and the dynamic heartbeat of the NBA. Harold has gained extensive knowledge and information in basketball operations, scouting, team operations, and the nuances of running a team to reach his goal. Currently, Harold works with high-profile athletes, and while it has its benefits, it also comes with challenges. For instance, conveying tasks and requests to these athletes can be challenging, particularly if it doesn’t align differently with their brand or tight schedule. However, one can still work successfully with these high-level athletes by communicating with them at all team levels and catering to their unique needs and wants. One essential skill for success is understanding what makes each player great in their sport and helping them improve on and off the court, even after their time with the team. Several tools and resources are available to players, and it is highly gratifying when they acknowledge the team’s efforts and say they took good care of them during their time together.

Personal Growth:

As we reflect on our thoughts, behaviors, values, and knowledge changes, we can appreciate the wisdom that comes with age and experience. Whether good or bad, every experience presents an opportunity for growth and learning. For those who aspire to work in the sports industry, Harold encourages you to focus on these attributes:

1. Regularly step out of your comfort zone. Growth occurs only by embracing new challenges, even if they are uncomfortable. This also helps us learn how to remain calm in the chaos.

2. Be different. Don't be a copy of others. We need more revolutionary, dynamic, and evolving leaders who think and act differently.

3. Always ask why and challenge the norm. Question the status quo and embrace evolution to carve your path.

4. Truly learn to listen. Most people need to learn to genuinely listen without formulating a response or opinion to be known as great listeners.

5. Never stop learning. Inaction and contentment are obstacles to achieving greatness. Learning new things energizes and elevates us.

6. Embrace failure. Failure means you are making progress, trying, and have the courage to learn from your mistakes. All successful people have failed many times before succeeding, so use failure as a stepping stone to success.

Stay Tuned: This Week in Sports

Las Vegas Aces head to NY as the Liberty aim to even the WNBA Finals series on Wednesday, October 18th.

Rangers lead Astros 2-0 in ALCS, Phillies lead D-backs 1-0 in NLCS. The competition intensifies as the teams play to secure their place in the World Series.

College GameDay Heading to Columbus for #3 Ohio State vs. #6 Penn State on Saturday, October 21st.