Las Vegas July 11-12, 2026

2026 Basketball Career Conference
Las Vegas

Work in basketball? This is the most important weekend of the year.

• 2 Days • Real Access • Only 90 Seats • 8 NBA Teams in One Day

• 2 Days • Real Access • Only 90 Seats
• 8 NBA Teams in One Day

The Opportunity

Every July, Las Vegas becomes the center of the basketball world. For one week, the people who hire, evaluate, represent, and develop basketball talent gather in a single city.

For 20 years, SMWW has put aspiring basketball professionals in the room with them.

The relationships you build this weekend can shape your basketball career for years to come.

20 Years of Connections

Two decades. Thousands of attendees. Countless careers launched.

SMWW alumni have gone on to work for:

✔ All 30 NBA teams

✔ Every WNBA franchise

✔ Teams throughout the NBA G League

✔ Major college and international basketball organizations

From NBA Champion head coaches to scouts, agents, analysts, video coordinators, and front-office executives, SMWW alumni are making an impact across the basketball industry.

See the Conference in Action

Who You’ll Meet

The people building teams, evaluating talent, and hiring across the industry:

NBA front office executives
Scouts & analytics leaders
Player agents & agency executives
G League & international basketball professionals
Basketball media & content creators
Coaches & basketball operations professionals

Who Should Attend

Aspiring NBA agents
Future scouts & analysts
Basketball operations candidates
Coaches & player development professionals
Sports management students & graduates
Anyone looking to break into basketball

Whether your goal is scouting, analytics, player representation, coaching, front office operations, or media, this event helps you build real industry relationships and get practical advice from people working in basketball today.

What You’ll Gain

Real connections with basketball decision-makers
Insight into NBA hiring trends and expectations
Strategies to stand out in a competitive job market
Career advice from people who have hired and built teams
A clear roadmap for breaking into basketball

Your Weekend

Welcome Reception

Saturday, July 11 · 7PM-9PM

Virgil’s Real Barbecue, LINQ Promenade. Kick off the weekend on the Strip — network with speakers and fellow attendees overlooking the LINQ and the High Roller. (See 8+ NBA teams during the day!)

Career Conference

Sunday, July 12 · 7:45 AM–4:00 PM

The Westin Las Vegas, 160 E Flamingo Rd. After registering, you’ll get access to exclusive SMWW room rates under $200/night while inventory lasts.

Summer League Games

Thomas & Mack Center, UNLV

Arrive early for Saturday games, join the reception that evening and the conference Sunday, then stay for Monday games — seeing 8+ NBA teams play in a single day.

2026 Basketball Career Conference Agenda

2026 SMWW Basketball Career Conference Agenda*

Saturday, July 11th, 2026

2:00-4:00 pm – Registration Check-In
The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa
160 E Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada

7:00-9:00 pm – SMWW Welcome Reception
Virgil’s BBQ - Linq Promenade
3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada

Sunday, July 12th, 2026

SMWW Basketball Career Conference
The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa
160 E Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada

7:45 am – Registration Opens at The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa
8:00 am – Opening Remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

8:15 am – Inside Basketball Scouting: How NBA Teams Find Future Stars
Brian Pauga - Utah Jazz Director of College Scouting
Sheri Sam - Former Trail Blazers Scouting Manager
Rick Sund - Former NBA GM, SMWW Mentor
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - Sports Management Worldwide President/Founder (Moderator)

9:00 am – Inside Basketball Representation: How Agents Build Careers Around the World
Bret Kanis - NBA and FIBA Agent, SMWW Mentor
Joel Corry - CBS Sports "Agents Take" Writer, SMWW Mentor
Matt Bollero - ProMondo Sports CEO, former NBA Scout
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

10:00 am – NIL in Basketball: Building Athlete Brands and Maximizing Opportunities
Greg Glynn - Pliable Marketing CEO, SMWW Mentor
Larry Lundy - LMG President, SMWW Mentor
DeShawn Henry - UNLV Men’s Basketball Director of Basketball Operations
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

11:00 am – Leadership in the NBA: A Conversation with Mavericks Executive Khalia Collier
Khalia Collier - Dallas Mavericks VP and Chief of Staff for Basketball Operations
Dei Lynam - NBA, G-League, and Ivy League Broadcaster, SMWW Mentor (Moderator)

11:45 am – Networking Lunch

12:50 pm – Inside NBA Team Business Operations: Marketing, Partnerships, & Growth
Jon White, NBA Team Marketing & Business Operations Senior Director
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

1:30 PM - GM Power Hour: How NBA General Managers Build Winning Teams
Chad Buchanan - Indiana Pacers GM
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook - President/Founder of Sports Management Worldwide (Moderator)

2:00 pm – Courtside Careers: Inside NBA Broadcasting, Reporting & Media
Dei Lynam - NBA, G-League, and Ivy League Broadcaster, SMWW Mentor
Lauren Rosen - Los Angeles Clippers Sideline Reporter
Stephen Gillaspie - No Ceilings NBA Reporter
Ike Worth - SMWW Business Operations Manager (Moderator)

3:00 pm – Beyond the Box Score: Analytics & Player Development in Modern Basketball
Carl Berman - Netscouts Basketball Managing Partner, SMWW Mentor
Brad Kanis - EuroProBasket International Academy CEO
Irv Roland - NBA asst Coach, SMWW Mentor
Ike Worth - SMWW Business Operations Manager (Moderator)

4:00 – Closing Remarks with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

4:30 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

NBA Summer League Game Schedule - Sunday, July 13th

4:00 PM Orlando v. Portland
5:00 PM Sacramento v. Washington
6:00 PM San Antonio v. Milwaukee
7:00 PM LA Clippers v. Utah

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

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.

Speakers and times are not guaranteed; the agenda will change. Summer League tickets are not included with registration.

Why Las Vegas During NBA Summer League?

NBA Summer League tips off shortly after the NBA Draft — your first chance to watch the next generation of NBA players begin their professional careers. For one stretch each July, the people who run basketball converge on a single city. There’s no better place, or time, to build relationships in the game — and SMWW gives you the structure and access to make the most of it.

Important Notes About NBA Summer League

NBA Summer League tickets are not included with SMWW registration.
Tickets can be purchased online at unlvtickets.com
You do not need to attend the SMWW Conference to attend Summer League games.
SMWW is not affiliated with the NBA, NBA Summer League, or NBA G League.
If booking a hotel through our discounted room block, please register first to receive the group link.

2026 Featured Speakers

Brian Pauga
Utah Jazz Dir. College Scouting

Chad Buchanan
Indiana Pacers General Manager

Stephen Gillaspie
No Ceilings NBA Reporter

Khalia Collier
Dallas Mavericks VP of Basketball Ops

Lauren Rosen
LA Clippers Sideline Reporter

Matt Bollero
ProMondo Sports CEO/Former NBA Scout

Greg Glynn
NIL Expert, Pliable Marketing CEO/SMWW Mentor

DeShawn Henry
UNLV Men’s Basketball Director of Basketball Operations

Phil Chang
LA Lakers Basketball Data Strategy Director

Brad Kanis
EuroProBasket International Academy CEO

Larry Lundy
LMG President/Founder, SMWW Mentor

Dei Lynam
Veteran Sports Announcer

Dean Oliver
NBA Analytics Pioneer

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

Irv Roland
Utah Jazz Asst. Coach

TestGaya Gayathri
Preferati QA

Lynn Lashbrook
President & Founder of SMWW. Certified Sports Agent. Former NCAA Athletic Director.

Pricing & Registration

"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

Testimonials:

Brenden Richardson

Melbourne, Australia

The insights into basketball were excellent. I would recommend this conference to anyone who desires a career in the sports industry.

Bradley Patten

Oswego IL. Woubonsee Community College

SMWW provided a once in a lifetime experience.It helped me realize that my dreams can become a reality.

Jeremy Berman

Birmingham, AL

The conference was great and far exceeded my expectations. As a young person interested in the sports management field, I was fascinated by the quality of panelists and the networking opportunities.

Jay Silver

Houston, TX University of Houston

The Basketball Career Conference was a great experience and I will definitely return. It was my first time and it exceeded my expectations. Great value for the price.

Charles A. Smith Jr.

District of Columbia

Being able to interact with NBA personnel and team decision makers was inspiring and educational. And the networking was beyond my expectations!

Robert Johnson

Los Angeles, CA

Sports Management Worldwide’s conference is a must-attend event for anyone looking to expand their network or break into sports media or management. Great speakers and topics with Q&A portions of every panel. Excited to go back next year!

Charlesa Stoglin

Memphis, TN

The conference experience was amazing. I met great people, earned great insight into basketball careers, and had a great time at the games.

Jarrod Lindsay

Kennesaw State University

All of the speakers and staff were knowledgeable and answered questions with great insight and experience. To be surrounded by so many influential names in the world of basketball left me feeling extremely motivated. What a great event to network and learn!

Tara Iguidbashian

University of San Diego

I learned so much at the SMWW Summer league conference, it was a great experience and an amazing opportunity to network. I feel the knowledge I acquired will lead directly to a sports career. Thank you SMWW!

Keaton Davis

New York Liberty (WNBA) Head Analytics Coordinator

Getting a job in pro basketball is all about separating yourself from the hundreds of other applicants and NetScouts/SMWW do just that. There's no substitute for being in arenas, seeing players in-person and learning what it means to be a scout on the fly. Building your skillset through courses then applying what you've learned to live game action is invaluable experience. NetScouts/SMWW had a huge role in molding me into a basketball operations professional and I use what I learned during my time in the apprenticeship program to this day.