Shareef Abdur-Rahim

President
NBA G League

Shareef Abdur-Rahim is President of the NBA G League and a former Olympic gold medalist, NBA player, team executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Since 2019, he has overseen 32 franchises while directing league operations, strategy, officiating, health and welfare initiatives, and collective bargaining oversight. He established four new franchises including the first U.S. professional sports team in Mexico and aligned every NBA team with a G League affiliate. Abdur-Rahim previously served as Vice President of Basketball Operations at the NBA and held executive roles with the Sacramento Kings and Reno Bighorns. He is President of Abdur-Rahim Enterprises and founder of the Future Foundation nonprofit. An Olympic gold medalist from the 2000 Games, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. He holds an MBA from USC.

Jeremy Alland

Sports Medicine Physician
Midwest Orthopaedics

Dr. Jeremy Alland is a sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH in Chicago and serves as assistant faculty at RUSH University Medical Center. He is a team physician for the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, and Mount Carmel High School athletics.

Dr. Alland is a researcher that serves on the Collaborative Research Network Leadership Team within the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM), helping advance multicenter sports medicine research initiatives. He also serves as a junior editor for Sports Health and is a member of the steering committee for the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance.

Asheesh Bedi

Medical Director
National Basketball Players Association

Dr. Asheesh Bedi is the Medical Director of the National Basketball Players Association.  He is also the Executive Director and Ashken Family Professor for the University of Michigan Sports Medicine Program, and the Head Orthopedic Team Physician for the University of Michigan Athletics Program.  Dr. Bedi has over 20 years of experience practicing medicine as an orthopedic physician, surgeon, team physician, and is very active in research and innovation. He is an Orthopedic Team Physician for the Chicago Bears.  He has published over 400 peer-reviewed publications and is widely regarded as a key opinion leader in sports medicine.

Matt Brooker

Associate Vice President and Senior Counsel
NBA

Matt Brooker is an Associate Vice President and Senior Counsel within the Player Health group at the NBA.  Matt manages the administration of the anti-drug programs for the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League. Matt earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, and has an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.S. from Northern Michigan University.  At the NBA, Matt oversees and/or serves as a key advisor for myriad compliance, operational, and legal aspects of player-health-related matters at the league and team level.

Maggie Bryant

President of Performance, Health, and Wellness
LA Clippers

Maggie Bryant is a residency trained Sports Physical Therapist, who is currently working as President of Performance, Health, and Wellness for LA Clippers. Maggie studied Physical Therapy at the University of Minnesota (DPT) and then completed her Sports residency training at the University of Southern California. Prior to her current role, Maggie worked with Orlando Magic and Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine. Maggie has professional interests of optimizing performance driven rehab and professional development in leadership and communication.

Chad Buchanan

General Manager
Indiana Pacers

Chad Buchanan serves as the GM for the Indiana Pacers. Chad began his NBA front office career in 2004 after spending 9 years in college and professional minor league coaching.  He spent 10 seasons with the Portland Trailblazers holding roles as College Scout, Director of College Scouting and Acting GM during his time in Portland.  The Charlotte Hornets hired him to be their Assistant GM in 2014 and he spent 3 seasons with the Hornets before accepting the GM position with the Indiana Pacers – a role he currently still holds.  Chad grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and attended Simpson College where he lettered all four years in both basketball and baseball.  He is married and has three children – ages 20, 14 and 9.

Thane Campbell

Chief Operating Officer
Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory

Thane Campbell serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), bringing over 15 years of experience in the operational and strategic oversight of a premier anti-doping institution.

SMRTL has solidified its reputation as a gold-standard, WADA-accredited laboratory, recognized for both its exceptional routine testing quality and its commitment to innovative research. As a valued partner to every major professional sports league—including the NBA—SMRTL helps organizations navigate the constantly shifting landscape of performance-enhancing substances. A pioneer in the industry, SMRTL was one of the first laboratories to implement routine testing for growth hormone-releasing peptides across professional sports.

Beyond detection, SMRTL has been at the forefront of clean sport and athlete safety for over a decade. By providing specialized testing of nutritional supplements to investigate claims of contamination, the lab has built a comprehensive body of data that serves as an essential resource for navigating the inherent risks of the supplement industry.

As a specialist at the intersection of sports science and anti-doping, Mr. Campbell brings a unique perspective to the discussion of nutritional supplements and IV peptides, which includes the complexities of navigating recovery and supplementation while upholding the highest standards of forensic accuracy and the protection of clean sport.

Courtney Chaaban

Biomechanics and Engineering Lead
NBA

Courtney Chaaban is the Biomechanics and Engineering Lead within the Player Health department at the NBA. In this role, Courtney manages the implementation of the league-wide biomechanics assessment program and works across initiatives related to biomechanics and sports technology. Courtney has a background in sports physical therapy, earning her DPT at East Carolina University and completing her residency training at ATI Physical Therapy in Greenville, SC. She is also currently a PhD Candidate in Human Movement Science at the University of North Carolina, where her research focuses on the application of technology to measure biomechanics in clinical and practical environments.

Graeme Close

Professor
Liverpool John Moores University

Professor Graeme Close is Professor of Human Physiology and Head of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University. A former professional Rugby League player, he has published over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers, with a sustained research focus on micronutrition, muscle physiology, and athlete health, including extensive work on vitamin D and its role in muscle function, recovery, and performance. He is a Fellow of both the European College of Sport Sciences and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Graeme works at the interface of laboratory science and elite sport, with a strong emphasis on translating research into applied performance strategies. He currently serves as a High Performance Consultant to England Rugby and was part of the performance team for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour. He is also Head of Performance Nutrition for the DP World Tour, supporting multiple Ryder Cup campaigns, and has extensive experience across professional football, including work with clubs such as Everton FC, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. His research on vitamin D has informed policy and practice across several elite sport organisations, with a particular focus on athlete health, immune function, and muscle recovery in high-performance environments.

Alongside his applied work, Graeme is an experienced communicator of science, regularly contributing to broadcast media and international conferences. His work is characterised by a commitment to bridging the gap between evidence and practice, ensuring that scientific insights are implemented in ways that meaningfully impact athlete performance and health.

Zach Collins

Center/Power Forward
Chicago Bulls

Zach Collins is a current Center/power forward for the Chicago Bulls. Before being drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 10th overall pick in the 2017, he played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Josh Corbeil

Senior Vice President
Indiana Pacers

Josh Corbeil is Senior Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance and Head Athletic Trainer for the Indiana Pacers. He joined the Indiana Pacers as the Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2004. He was promoted to the Senior Director of Medical Operations/Head Athletic Trainer for the Pacers in 2005 and then to Senior VP of Sports Medicine and Performance/ Head Athletic Trainer in 2024. Corbeil graduated from Boston University in 2000 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in health studies and 2002 with a Master’s in physical therapy. Corbeil then gained his athletic training certification as an intern with the Boston Celtics for three seasons, while working as a physical therapist at Pro Sports Therapy in Waltham, Massachusetts. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2010 from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. In addition to being a licensed physical therapist and licensed athletic trainer, Corbeil is also a certified member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a performance enhancement specialist and a corrective exercise specialist. He is also a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT).

Corbeil was honored with the Joe O’Toole NBA Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2011. He was also a member of the first recipients of the Joe O’Toole/David Craig Athletic Training Staff of the Year award in 2019. He served 3 years as the Eastern Conference Representative on the NBATA Executive Committee. He then served 2 years as the Chairperson and is currently serving as Immediate Past Chairperson.

Jean Côté

Professor
Queen’s University

Dr. Côté is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University in Canada, where he served as the Director from 2006 to 2019. Dr. Côté holds a cross-appointment as a visiting professor in the School of Human Movement Studies at the University of Queensland in Australia. His research interests include sport expertise, children in sport, coaching, and positive youth development. His most recent research involves exploring the concept of ‘interest’ as a key factor in development and engagement in youth sport and using observation techniques to evaluate the impact of Transformational Coaching on athletes’ growth.  He is a Fellow of the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) and the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS).  Dr. Côté published over 220 refereed papers on various topics in sport psychology and youth sport, as well as 70 book chapters. He is regularly invited to present his work to both sport governing bodies and academic conferences worldwide and has delivered 70 keynote addresses at major national and international conferences.

Caroline Coughlan

Player Health Strategy Lead
NBA

Caroline is the Player Health Strategy Lead at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where she has worked since July 2021. She works on strategy and operations for the NBA Player Health group, which is responsible for the administration of the health framework and policies for NBA players and team staff, particularly in relation to injuries and athletic performance. In her role, she leads project management for the Ankle Sprain Initiative.

Prior to the NBA, Caroline worked at End-to-End Analytics, a Palo Alto-based data analytics consulting firm where she worked on operations strategy, forecasting, and supply chain projects. Caroline holds a BSE in Systems Science and Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

John P. DiFiori

Director of Sports Medicine
NBA

Dr. John DiFiori has served as the Director of Sports Medicine for the NBA since 2014, where he helps lead the League’s research initiatives, and the development and implementation of policies and standards related to player health and safety. He also serves on the FIBA Medical Commission where he works with basketball federations across the world in setting standards for player health.

Dr. DiFiori previously served as Chief of the Primary Sports Medicine Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery, where he directed one of the largest academic and clinical programs in the US.

Prior to HSS, Dr. DiFiori was Chief of the UCLA Division of Sports Medicine and Non-Operative Orthopedics. He was Head Team Physician for the UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, overseeing the care of more than 650 athletes in 24 NCAA sports. He spent more than 20 years on the sidelines with the Bruins football and basketball teams.

He is a former President of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and is a fellow of both the AMSSM and the American College of Sports Medicine.

Dr. DiFiori’s primary research has focused on youth sports injuries and sport specialization. He is a co-author for several recently published scientific articles in the areas of youth and professional basketball, including leading the publications of the NBA Youth Basketball Guidelines, and the AMSSM Position Statement on Overuse Injuries and Burnout in Youth Sports. In addition, he has authored multiple publications centered on sport injury epidemiology and sport-related concussion.

David Engel

Professor of Medicine
Columbia University

David J. Engel, MD, FACC is a Professor of Medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University. Dr. Engel received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and medical degree from Cornell University Medical College. He completed his post-graduate cardiology fellowship training at Columbia University Medical Center with advanced fellowship training in echocardiography. He is the Director of the Columbia Sports Cardiology Program and serves as a cardiac consultant for the NBA. Through his work and collaboration with the NBA, Dr. Engel has led multiple studies and publications detailing echocardiographic and electrocardiographic features of the athlete’s heart in NBA and WNBA athletes.

Timothy Fong

Professor of Psychiatry
UCLA

Dr. Fong is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA.  He is board certified in adult and addiction psychiatry and is the senior attending psychiatrist for the UCLA Sports Psychiatry Service which provides leading edge psychiatric care to athletes, coaches and families.

He also serves as the co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program who’s is to examine the clinical characteristics of gambling disorder in order to develop effective, evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.

Dr. Fong sits on the Steering Committee of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids whose mission is to address the most pressing questions related to the impact of cannabis legalization through rigorous scientific study and discourse across disciplines.

He is also the President, of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry.

Patrick Gilbert

Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer
Indiana Pacers

Patrick is a Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer for the Indiana Pacers. He has been in his current role since 2018. In this position, Patrick is responsible for the full spectrum of care for athletes from initial evaluation and ongoing treatment to injury prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Patrick has a keen interest in the structure and function of the foot and the role a strong foundation plays in movement, health and performance. He is also interested in the footwear athletes wear both during basketball as well as training or daily life and how footwear affects the expression of foot function and strength and how those relate to proprioception, balance and biomechanics up the chain.

Patrick is originally from Milton, VT. He received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University and his Masters of Athletic Training from Bridgewater State University.

Andrew W. Gottschalk

President
NBA Physicians Association

Andrew W. Gottschalk, M.D., is President of the NBA Physicians Association. Originally from northern Michigan, Dr. Gottschalk trained in sports medicine at both Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Following training, he made a name for himself in NCAA Division I circles as Team Physician for the St. Bonaventure University Bonnies. Dr. Gottschalk currently serves as System Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine for Ochsner Health and Medical Director of Ochsner Fitness Centers.

Dr. Gottschalk is Head Medical Team Physician for the New Orleans Pelicans, Team Physician for the New Orleans Saints, and Chief Medical Officer for the Birmingham Squadron. Dr. Gottschalk is also Program Director of Ochsner’s Holiday Sports Ultrasound Symposium, Sports Concussion Symposium, and Healthy Runners program. Dr. Gottschalk resides in New Orleans with his wife, Ryanne Clarke, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Priority Health Care Louisiana, and their children, Belle, Sebastian, and Rew.

Gary Green

Clinical Professor
UCLA Division of Sports Medicine

Dr. Gary Green is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Sports Medicine and is a Clinical Professor in the UCLA Division of Sports Medicine.  Dr. Green has been affiliated with Major League Baseball since 2003 and has served as Medical Director for Major League Baseball since 2010.  He is also currently Research Director for the MLB.  In these roles, he has been instrumental in several rule changes to Major League Baseball that have improved the health and safety of players.

He has been a team physician for collegiate athletes for the past 38 years and has served as head team physician for Pepperdine University since 1997.  Dr. Green combines primary care and sports medicine in his clinical practice at the Medical Doctors of St. John’s up until January 2025 Pacific Palisades, CA and feels that all patients are athletes.  His practice is now located in Santa Monica, CA.

He has published numerous research articles on a variety of subjects that include sports-related concussion, baseball injuries and the use of performance-enhancing drugs in athletes.  He is married to Dr. Debra Yerman, DC and they share 4 adult children and 2 dogs.

Kensa Gunter

Director
NBA & WNBA Mind Health

Dr. Kensa Gunter is a clinical and sport psychologist who provides clinical and consultation services to individuals, teams, and organizations. Dr. Gunter currently serves as the Director of NBA & WNBA Mind Health, the league’s mental health, wellness, and performance program. She also serves on the International Board of Directors for Little League International, the NFL-NFLPA Joint Behavioral Health Committee, and previously served as a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s External Mental Health Task Force (2019-23). Currently she also serves as the President of Division 47 of the American Psychological Association.

Bryan Heiderscheit

Professor in Orthopedics
Frederick Gaenslen

Dr. Bryan Heiderscheit, PT, PhD, FAPTA is the Frederick Gaenslen Professor in Orthopedics and Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin. He is the founding Director of Badger Athletic Performance with UW Athletics and founding Director of the UW Health Runners’ Clinic. Dr. Heiderscheit’s clinical practice and research include orthopedic conditions, with particular focus on lower extremity sports-related injuries. He is a team physical therapist with UW Athletics, a member of the NFL Soft Tissue Injury Task Force, and an advisor to several collegiate and professional sports organizations.

Thoms Hospel

Medical Advisor
PGA Tour Anti-Doping Program

Dr. Thomas Hospel is a family medicine physician based in Ohio with over 20 years of clinical experience. He serves as Medical Advisor to the PGA Tour Anti-Doping Program and has been Chairman of the TUE Committee and a medical advisor on health policy matters since 2007. He’s also been a Medical Advisor to the NBA’s Coaches and Athletic Trainers Program since 2015, bringing a really strong perspective on athlete health and anti-doping.

Charles Lee

Head Coach
Charlotte Hornets

Charles Lee recently concluded his second season at the helm of the Charlotte Hornets after being hired as the 12th head coach in franchise history on May 9, 2024. He holds 12 years of NBA coaching experience and joined the Hornets after winning the 2023-24 NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. Lee held assistant coaching positions with the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks (winning an NBA championship in 2021) and the Atlanta Hawks prior to joining Charlotte.

In his second season, Lee helped guide the franchise to a 44-win season. The 25-win improvement from the previous season is the largest year-over-year improvement in franchise history. Under his leadership, the Hornets underwent a sharp turnaround that started in January and culminated in the franchise’s first postseason victory since 2016. After the turn of the new year, the Hornets boasted the best net rating in the NBA on the backs of the league’s No. 1 offense and top 5 defense. Lee earned Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honors for the month of January 2026.

Lee began his coaching career at his alma mater, Bucknell University, where he was an assistant for two seasons (2012-2014). He played four seasons (2002-2006) with the Bison, leading the team to two Patriot League titles and the only two NCAA Tournament victories in school history, including a win over No. 3 Kansas as a No. 14 seed in 2005. A native of the Washington, D.C., area, Lee and his wife, Lindsey, have three daughters, Corinne, Vivian and Josephine.

Eric Leidersdorf

President and Head of Research & Development
P3

Eric Leidersdorf is the President and Head of Research & Development at P3, a leading human performance organization at the intersection of biomechanics and elite athletic development. With a foundational background in Biomechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Applied Analytics, Eric brings a unique combination of scientific rigor and data-driven methodology to the study of human movement and performance.

Eric’s relationship with the NBA dates back to 2014. He has contributed to helping professional basketball organizations understand, evaluate, and protect their players. As President of P3, Eric leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and performance specialists committed to pushing the boundaries of what is measurable and meaningful in human performance. Their collective work bridges the gap between cutting-edge biomechanical research and real-world application at the highest levels of sport.

Travis Maak

Professor and Director
Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship

Dr. Travis Maak, Professor and Director of the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship, specializes in the surgical treatment of pediatric, adolescent, and adult sports injuries, focusing on the hip and knee. He is the Head Orthopedic Team Physician for the Utah Jazz, President of the NBA Physicians Association, Team Physician for the NHL Utah Hockey Club, Salt Lake Bees AAA baseball team, University of Utah Athletics, and Professor in the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Utah.

Dr. Maak has over 150 publications focused on advancing the field of sports medicine and surgical hip and knee preservation. Dr. Maak is originally from Salt Lake City and a graduate from Stanford University. He completed his medical school at Yale School of Medicine and surgical internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical College. His orthopedic surgery residency training occurred at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, where he continued his training with a fellowship in sports medicine. During his fellowship, Dr. Maak served as an Assistant NFL Team Physician for the New York Football Giants.

Matthew Martinez

Director of Sports Cardiology
Mayo Clinic Foundation

Dr. Matthew Martinez is Director of Sports Cardiology at the Mayo Clinic Foundation. Dr. Martinez serves as a cardiology consultant for the NBA Players Association and several other professional leagues and teams. He is an author on the Sports Cardiology Clinical Consensus document and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Guidelines. He regularly presents on sports cardiology and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is the prior Chair of American College of Cardiology’s Sports and Exercise section. He is also one of the founders of the Sports Cardiology Society.

Jesse McGinley

Performance Dietitian
Phoenix Suns

Jesse is a Licensed Registered Dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) currently serving as the Performance Dietitian for the Phoenix Suns and completing a PhD focused on organizational structure and integration of sports nutrition departments in professional sport. Prior to the NBA, she was the Director of Sports Nutrition at North Carolina State University, where she led department-wide policy development and expanded student and internship programs. She also contributed to the development and teaching of the university’s first academic sports nutrition course, created and delivered wellness education programs for faculty, staff, and students and contributed to campus-wide wellness policy and strategic planning initiatives.

Alec Miller

Data Scientist and Biomechanist
Milwaukee Bucks

Alec Miller is a Data Scientist and Biomechanist with the Milwaukee Bucks. Prior to his time with the Bucks, Alec had served as Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at S3D, Inc., where he developed sophisticated 3D motion capture acquisition systems and biomechanical analysis tools in the orthopedics and sports medicine industry.

George Muschler

Emeritus Professor
Cleveland Clinic

Dr. George Muschler is Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the Cleveland Clinic, where he served on faculty and in clinical practice from 1988 to 2025. A clinician scientist, his surgical practice focused on musculoskeletal oncology, fracture repair and bone regeneration, joint preservation, and primary and revision hip and knee replacement. He completed fellowship training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Dr. Muschler founded and directed the Cleveland Clinic Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, which earned continuous federal funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense for more than three decades. His research has focused on human stem and progenitor cell biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine, with recent work centered on advanced image analysis and precision automation to enable safe and effective clinical cell therapies.

He held numerous leadership roles at Cleveland Clinic, including Vice Chair of Bioengineering, Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center, Vice Chair of the Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute, and Director of the Cleveland Clinic Joint Preservation Center.

Dr. Muschler led major multi institutional translational initiatives, including the Ohio based Clinical Tissue Engineering Center and co founding the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine, dedicated to accelerating therapies for wounded service members. He has authored more than 18 issued patents, co founded Cell X Technologies, and serves as Associate Editor of Cytotherapy. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2023.

Ramsey Nijem

Founder
Applied Performance

Dr. Ramsey Nijem is a strength and conditioning coach, educator, and performance specialist with over 15 years of experience working at the highest levels of sport. He began his professional career in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings, where he served as both an assistant and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, becoming the youngest Head S&C Coach in league history.

After completing his doctorate in Human and Sport Performance, Ramsey transitioned to collegiate athletics as the Director of Sport Performance for the University of Kansas Men’s Basketball team, where he helped the program win the 2022 NCAA National Championship.

Today, Ramsey is the founder of Applied Performance, an education platform dedicated to helping strength coaches, physical therapists, and sports performance professionals gain clarity and confidence in applying performance science. Through courses, mentorship, and content, he translates complex research into practical strategies coaches can apply immediately.

Ramsey is known for his ability to bridge the gap between science and real-world application. His work focuses on simplifying complex concepts, improving decision-making, and helping practitioners deliver better results with their athletes.

Dan O’Brien

Director of Sports Medicine and Research
National Basketball Players Association

Dan O’Brien is Director of Sports Medicine and Research at the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), where he drives initiatives focused on player health, wellness, and performance for NBPA members. In this role, he helps represent players’ interests in league-wide medical policies and protocols, while also working closely with NBPA staff to educate and support players on health, medical, and performance-related matters. He also helps oversee medical and performance strategy for New York and LA Facilities and for key events, including the NBA Combine, Top 100 Camp, and The Sanctuary.

Alongside his work at the NBPA, Dan is pursuing a PhD at the University of Wisconsin–Madison through the Badger Athletic Performance Lab. His research focuses on patellar tendinopathy, using imaging and biomechanical testing to better understand tendon structure and knee function.

Dermot Phelan

Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Dermot Phelan, MB, BAO, BCh, PhD, FASE, FACC is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and the Gragg Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine. He serves as Medical Director of Cardiovascular Imaging and Director of both the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center and the Gragg Center for Cardiovascular Performance at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Trained in cardiology in Ireland, Dr. Phelan completed advanced cardiac imaging fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic, where he went on to establish and lead the institution’s first Sports Cardiology Center. His work focuses on distinguishing healthy athletic adaptation from heart disease, using advanced imaging to improve athlete safety and performance.

A recognized leader in sports cardiology, Dr. Phelan serves as a cardiology consultant for the NFL and MLB Scouting Combines, is Chair of the NFL Cardiovascular Task Force, and has been a member of the NBA Cardiovascular Advisory Committee since 2015. His team oversees cardiac imaging quality for the NBA, WNBA, and G League, reviewing more than 1,000 studies annually.

He has helped shape national guidelines for evaluating competitive athletes and is editor of Care of the Athletic Heart: From the Clinic to the Sidelines.

Lionel Rice

Assistant Athletic Trainer
Utah Jazz

Lionel Rice is the Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Utah Jazz. Originally from the Bronx, NY, Rice first joined the Jazz in 2023, where his primary responsibilities include assisting with daily treatment, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance recovery of the Utah Jazz roster athletes. He also serves as a representative on the NBATA Executive Committee and Foundation Boards. In addition, he serves on the NATA Scholarship Committee where he helps review candidates who are looking to be future athletic trainers and make positive impacts early.

Before joining the Jazz, he worked for two years at Michigan State University with the Spartan football team. Rice received his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from King’s College in 2015, Master of Science in Athletic Training from California University of Pennsylvania in 2016, and Doctorate of Athletic Training from A.T. Still University. Rice worked in the NFL as a seasonal intern with the Minnesota Vikings in 2016-17 and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018-19 seasons. In between those two stints, he completed an internship at Bethune Cookman University working primarily with the Football and Track/Field teams in 2017-18 season. Before arriving at Michigan State University, he worked with University of Texas-San Antonio football team from 2019-21.

Allan Schwartz

Cardiologist
Columbia University

Dr. Allan Schwartz is a distinguished academic cardiologist and long‑standing leader in cardiovascular medicine. He graduated magna cum laude in physics and mathematics from the City College of New York in 1967, earned a master’s degree in physics from Harvard University in 1968, and received his medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in 1974, where he was awarded the Robert Loeb and Janeway Prizes. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Presbyterian Hospital and a fellowship in clinical and research cardiology at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Schwartz returned to Columbia in 1978 as an academic clinical cardiologist and assumed progressively senior leadership roles, including Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Associate Director of the Division of Cardiology, and Seymour Milstein and Harold Ames Hatch Professor of Cardiology. In 1999, he was appointed Chief of the Division of Cardiology and later served as Vice Chairman of the Department of Medicine.

As Cath Lab Director, Dr. Schwartz helped pioneer intracoronary radiation for restenosis and led early structural heart investigations involving the mitral valve. As Division Chief, he established one of the earliest structural interventional cardiology programs in the United States at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork‑Presbyterian, which became an international leader in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. His current research focuses on valvular heart disease, including serving as national co principal investigator of the Early TAVR trial.

Dr. Schwartz has also led landmark studies on cardiac remodeling in NBA athletes, advancing athlete cardiovascular safety. Under his leadership, Columbia’s cardiology programs expanded significantly, achieving international prominence in clinical care, research, and training.

Ankit Shah

Associate Professor of Medicine
Georgetown University School of Medicine

Dr. Ankit Shah is Founder and President of Sports & Performance Cardiology in Chevy Chase, MD. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine, team cardiologist for USA Swimming and the Washington Wizards/Mystics, Cardiology Consultant for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and serves on the National Basketball Association Cardiac Advisory Committee. He is also Chair of the Sports and Exercise Cardiology Leadership Council for the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Shah earned his B.A from Boston College with a degree in Economics and his M.D. and M.P.H. from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed his training in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Lenox Hill Hospital and fellowship in sports cardiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Leroy Sims

Director, Player Performance and Health
Los Angeles Lakers

Dr. Sims is in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers as Director, Player Performance and Health. In his role, he leads the team’s integrated performance and medical services, spanning athletic training, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, massage therapy, nutrition, and sports science. In partnership with the team’s orthopedic surgeon, primary care sports medicine physician, and director of mental health and wellness, he ensures players receive world-class care on and off the court, and optimizes health, recovery, and performance throughout the season.

Dr. Sims most recently served as Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Operations at the NBA where he developed and implemented innovative health and safety protocols, investigated medical technologies to optimize basketball experiences, and conducted medical risk assessments. He is board-certified in Emergency Medicine and Primary Care Sports Medicine and was a key member of the medical operations team for the NBA Bubble in 2020. Dr. Sims served as team physician for USA Track and Field at the 2016 Olympics and provided direct medical support to USA Basketball at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. From 2011-14, he served as the medical director and team physician for the Golden State Warriors.

The Chicago native earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Biological Sciences from Stanford University, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Stanford University School of Medicine, where he went on to complete a fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine. Dr. Sims completed his Emergency Medicine residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, CA.

Casey Smith

Vice President of Sports Medicine
New York Knicks

Casey Smith is the Vice President of Sports Medicine for the New York Knicks. Prior to joining the organization in the summer of 2024, he served as Head Athletic Trainer (2004-2019) and VP of Player Health and Performance (2019-2023) for the Dallas Mavericks. Smith was a member of the sports medicine staff of the Phoenix Suns, where he was Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Athletic Trainer from 2000-2004.

He is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Master’s of Science in athletic training, and he received his Bachelor’s Degree in exercise science from Arizona State University.

Smith has served as athletic trainer for the USA Men’s Senior National Basketball Team from 2005 through 2012, including the gold-medal-winning teams at the 2008 BeijingOlympics, 2010 FIBA Championships and 2012 London Olympics. Casey also served as a member of the United States Olympic medical staff as the athletic trainer for boxing at the 2004 Athens, Greece Olympics.

Darren Stefanyshyn

Professor Emeritus
University of Calgary

Darren Stefanyshyn is a Professor Emeritus in the Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. His research interests include footwear biomechanics, sport equipment, performance and injury. For over thirty years he has collaborated on a wide variety of basic and applied biomechanics projects with numerous industry partners.

He is a past Chairperson of the Footwear Biomechanics Group, and past Executive Board Member of the Canadian and International Societies of Biomechanics. He served as an Associate Editor of Footwear Science and has authored over 150 journal research papers and 350 technical industry reports.

Adam Stockwell

Senior Vice President of Safety and Security
and Chief Security Officer
Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum

Adam Stockwell is the Senior Vice President of Safety and Security and Chief Security Officer for the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum. He oversees all aspects of safety, security, and risk management across the team’s operations, including the arena, Deer District, and team travel.

A former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent, Adam brings more than 25 years of experience in protective operations, crisis management, and large-scale venue security. He leads a comprehensive security program focused on safeguarding players, staff, and fans while supporting performance, health, and operational excellence.

Adam is widely recognized for his ability to translate national-level protective intelligence into practical, business-aligned security strategies within professional sports. His work emphasizes player safety, travel security, and integrated health and security planning across the National Basketball Association. 

Jenny Strickler

Director of Performance Science
Oklahoma City Thunder

Jenny is currently the Director of Performance Science with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where she has worked since 2015. She works collaboratively to integrate evidence informed strategies to support player health and performance. Jenny is certified athletic trainer, holds a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Technology Sydney, and serves on the NBA’s Biomechanics and Health-Related Research Committees.

Katie Taylor

Director
Injury Surveillance and Analytics · IQVIA

Katie Taylor, ScD, SM is the Director of Sports Injury Surveillance and Analytics at IQVIA. She oversees injury surveillance, predictive analytics, and applied research for several major professional sports leagues, including the NBA. An epidemiologist by training, Dr. Taylor’s current work focuses on leveraging athlete data for injury surveillance and to identify injury risk factors to inform evidence-based strategies to improve athlete health and safety. Prior to joining IQVIA, Dr. Taylor served as an Epidemiologist at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, where she managed a research portfolio focused on musculoskeletal injury prevention in Soldiers. She worked directly with the Pentagon to develop the Army’s current body composition policy which was designed to reduce musculoskeletal injury risk across the force.

Rachel Teater

Senior Engineer
Biocore

Dr. Rachel Teater is a Senior Engineer at Biocore with over a decade of experience in human movement biomechanics spanning sports, orthopaedics, wearable technology, and prosthetics. She holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University.

At Biocore, Rachel conducts research on how technique, training, equipment, and playing surfaces impact injury risk and performance in elite athletes. Her work focuses on lower limb musculoskeletal injuries with an emphasis on establishing injury mechanisms and identifying strategies for injury prevention in professional sports.

David Thomas

Head of Security & Ballpark Operations
Major League Baseball

Dave Thomas is the Head of Security & Ballpark Operations for Major League Baseball, where he leads the strategic planning, execution, and evolution of MLB’s league-wide DHS SAFETY Act Certified security program.  In collaboration with the 30 Major League and 120 Minor League Clubs, Dave and his team research, develop, and promote best practices surrounding all venue operations functions, including security, guest services, accessibility, concessions, sustainability, housekeeping, and facility management.

The 30 Major League ballparks host 70+ million in-person fans attending 2,430 regular season games each year. MLB also organizes and hosts special events each season, including All-Star Week, Little League Classic, Postseason play, the World Baseball Classic, and multiple events in locations such as Seoul, London, Tokyo, Mexico City, and others.  Dave joined MLB in October 2018 after serving as the head of security for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and a 25-year career in the U.S. Secret Service.

Aisling Toolan

Director of Rehabilitation
Angel City FC

Aisling Toolan is a double-board certified physical therapist and athletic trainer currently working as Director of Rehabilitation with Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. She completed a residency in Sports PT at Hospital for Special Surgery and spent six years there developing their biomechanical analysis and return to sport programs. She spent the last decade working in men’s professional sports with MLS and NBA teams, including New York City FC, the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings. She has completed five university degrees in a variety of areas of study, most recently completing an MBA in Leadership and Management from Boston University.

In her daily work, Aisling is passionate about combining high-quality clinical, subjective, objective and sports science data to inform the complex decisions that must be made surrounding return to play.  She implements a player-centered, data informed decision-making process, with the goal of helping athletes not just to play again, but to perform at their highest level.

Erik Wikstrom

Professor
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Erik Wikstrom is a Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  At UNC, Dr. Wikstrom serves as the Director of the Human Movement Science PhD program and is a member of both the Motion Science Institute and the Sports Medicine Institute.  Dr. Wikstrom graduated with his B.S. in Athletic Training from Roanoke College in 2001. He completed his Masters in Exercise Science and his Doctorate in Health & Human Performance, both with specializations in Athletic Training, from the University of Florida in 2003 and 2007, respectively.  Additionally, Dr. Wikstrom has worked as a Scholar with Amazon, Inc. and continues to serve on the Ankle Sprain Initiative working groups within the National Basketball Association.

Dr. Wikstrom’s primary research interest is on the impact of musculoskeletal injury on sensorimotor control of the lower extremity with particular emphasis on the coordination of balance following ankle joint injury.  His current research focuses on evaluating how ankle joint injury alters sensorimotor function, developing interventions to restore post-injury impairments, and understanding mechanisms that could slow the progression from ankle joint injury to ankle osteoarthritis.  Dr. Wikstrom’s research has been funded by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Defense among others. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and the National Athletic Trainer’s Association (FNATA).

Stanford Williams

Athletic Trainer
Utah Jazz

Stanford Williams joined the New Orleans Pelicans as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2019 and became the Head of Strength and Conditioning in 2021. He previously joined the Phoenix Suns organization as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and Movement Edge Specialist back in 2017. As an athlete, he developed a passion for injury prevention and sports performance, combining his love for healthcare with the game of basketball. Williams studied Athletic Training at Indiana University.

Williams is a certified athletic trainer and a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has received specializations in corrective exercise and performance enhancement from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.