Staff Spotlight: Chris Kent

We sat down with Chris Kent, Basketball Operations Associate for the Chicago Bulls. At the PBC, Chris helped with on-court workouts and with player development. From being an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to working at USF as the Director of Player Development, Chris is a rising star in basketball and we were fortunate to sit down with him and dig in.
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​See what he had to say.

Q: Can you tell us about your experience with the PBC team?
A: The PBC was an incredible event and allowed me the opportunity to work closely with Jake Kelfer. The staff he put together did an unbelievable job of making the PBC a first-class event. This is an event that prospects and NBA personnel will continue to benefit from.
 
Q: Can you describe what an opportunity like the PBC represents to not only players, but also to NBA personnel and agents?
A: The PBC is great because it gives the under-the-radar draft prospects a chance to get in front of NBA personnel. Scouts might miss on a guy, a player might stand out at the combine, or whatever the case might be, and the PBC gives NBA personnel one more opportunity to see a player and that’s very important.
 
Q: You are currently a Basketball Operations Associate for the Chicago Bulls. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities
A: I have the opportunity to do a lot of different things for the Bulls. My main area is video, scouting opposing teams and players, making edits both for the team and individual players, live coding our games, making the halftime edit, and filming practice are the main responsibilities regarding video. I am also on the court during practice, sometimes in drills and mainly assisting wherever I can. Overall, I help all the coaches with whatever it is they need.
 
Q: What would you say is the biggest difference between practice in college and the NBA?
A: In college, you have a month before your first game, sometimes a week between games, and a more stable roster therefore college teams have time to prepare for opponents. In the NBA the schedule is much busier. There are only 5 training camp practices before preseason games start and then the games come at you fast.

​Q: What do you look for when watching film and creating a scouting report?
A: Team and player tendencies. I pay attention to how teams guard each other, find what worked or didn’t work, and think about how our scheme might work against them.
 
Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to people who are trying to make it in this industry?
A: Be patient, work hard, always do your best work, and treat people the right way.
 
Q: What made you want to pursue a career in basketball?
A: It is what I’ve always been most passionate about. It has been my dream to be a part of the NBA for as long as I can remember so to live that every day has been incredible.
 
Q: If you could have dinner with three people, who would they be, and why?
A: Michael Jordan, Barack Obama, Drake; all 3 have accomplished great things and have made a positive impact on a lot of people’s lives.

Q: How do you define success?
A: Feeling fulfilled and happy with wherever you are at in your life.

Quick Trigger Questions
Role Model: I have too many to pick just one.
If you could work in any other sport, what would it be? Does the music industry count? If so, definitely that.
Favorite Sports Memory: Winning the D-League championship with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Favorite Movie: Love & Basketball
Favorite Food: Burgers
Favorite Musician: Drake
Favorite Sports Team Growing Up: Chicago Bulls

Social Media
LinkedIn: Chris Kent