Tulane welcomes NBA All-Stars to campus for clinics, panel discussions (Update 2/7 schedule)

With the NBA All-Star Weekend just days away, Tulane University is preparing to welcome the NBA to its uptown campus for several days of activities, from panel discussions with front office executives to basketball clinics for local school children. 

“We are excited to be part of the NBA All-Star Weekend and to give our students an opportunity to learn from and interact with a wide range of NBA executives and current and former players,” said Professor Gabe Feldman, head of the Tulane Sports Law program, which is coordinating the activities.

Activities kick off Wednesday with “Late Night with the NBA,” a panel discussion featuring several NBA executives along with Arnie Fielkow, president and CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association; former NBA player Bruce Bowen, now an NBA analyst; and David Fogel, associate general counsel of the NBA Coaches Association. The event starts with a 7:30 p.m. reception, then the 8:30 p.m. program at the Glazer Family Club at Yulman Stadium and is open to the public.

On Feb. 16, Tulane will host the Gatorade Training Center, a clinic for serious basketball youth ages 13-17 at the Reily Recreation Center. The busiest day will be Feb. 17, beginning with the NBA Junior Clinic at the Reily Recreation Center. The clinic is geared to elementary school children, and NBA All-Stars, retired all-stars and NBA legends are expected to be in attendance. Clinic participation is closed. Also on Feb. 17 are four panel discussions, all of them free and open to the public. All the panels are in the Lavin-Bernick Center on Tulane’s Uptown Campus, Room 203.

The NBA Day at Tulane line-up for Feb. 17:

10-11 a.m.NBA Legends Jam Session: A Conversation with Mike Dunleavy Sr. and Rick Barry

Mike Dunleavy, Head Coach, Tulane Men’s Basketball; former NBA player, coach and general manager; NBA Coach of the YearRick Barry, former NBA and ABA player; 8-time NBA All-Star; One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History

Moderator: Todd Graffagnini, The Voice of Tulane Athletics

11:05 a.m.-12:05 p.m.NBA General Counsel: From Live Streaming to Wearable Technology: Hot Legal Topics in the NBA

Melissa Goldenberg, general counsel, Phoenix SunsJason Hillman, senior vice president and general counsel, Cleveland CavaliersBen Lauritsen, senior vice president, legal and business affairs, Portland Trailblazers

Moderator: Prof. Gabe Feldman, director, Tulane Sports Law Program and newly named Tulane Law’s inaugural Sher Garner Faculty Scholar; associate provost for NCAA compliance; co-director, Tulane Center for Sport.

12:15-1:15 p.m.NBA Front Office:  An Inside Look at Running an NBA Team  

Michael Arcieri, director of basketball operations, Orlando MagicJon Phelps (L '12), general manager, Grand Rapids DriveJ.J. Polk, executive director of basketball administration, New Orleans PelicansRichard Smith, executive director of basketball operations, Utah Jazz 

1:30-2:30 p.m.NBA Journalism: The Daring Young Men on The Flying Trapeze

Jonathan Abrams, Bleacher ReportBen Golliver, Sports IllustratedHoward Beck, Bleacher Report

Moderator: Prof. Thomas Beller, the New Yorker, Tulane Department of English

Sponsored by Tulane University, Tulane Law School and the Tulane Sports Law Program and the Tulane English Department.