In the high-stakes competitive world of the NBA, the players, coaches, and front office executives are almost always in the spotlight. There’s another, lesser-known group of young men who hustle like mad behind the scenes to ensure that the game truly runs smoothly. Ball boys are an essential part of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s business. More than that, they are collectively key to the success of the league as a whole. This guest blog post details their contributions. It features wisdom from longtime ball boy Marc St. Yves and present-day squad members.
Since then, Marc St. Yves’ basketball journey has taken him all over the world. It all began with initial steps as a ball boy for his hometown Seattle SuperSonics. Now through his work on the court over the years, he’s cemented a legacy and created a distinct place in Thunder and NBA history. Looking back on his time in office, St. Yves is proud of how much he’s changed in role during that time. In the beginning, our team athletic trainer did all the equipment, ball boys, travel and just about every other ancillary role. Today, he leads an operation that operates with SEAL Team 6 type military precision.
Even if you are a ball boy, that’s really the backbone and the heart of the game. You hold the most powerful position in the whole arena, no question. But sometimes they do all of that, and more,” said St. Yves, outlining the importance of their role.
Bringing Wilson Taylor into the fold more than a decade ago was one of St. Yves’ better moves. Taylor is an equipment manager for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. He strategically manages the ball boys, ensuring they’re in good spirits and well-oiled for each match. Indeed, his collaborative, supportive, and kind leadership style has made him trusted and respected among his team. Taylor is a tough guy to work for, one ball boy observed.
On an average game night, the Thunder goes through 500 towels alone. Two ball boys sit behind each basket during games, ready to service players and staff as necessary. At midcourt, Bobbie Roy oversees a perpetual cascade of basketballs, keeping them rolling to both ends of the court with never a hiccup. Joel Yasuda, another ball boy, operates near the Thunder bench where he interacts closely with players.
Yasuda explains his mindset during games: “My mindset is escape to the sidelines.” He truly enjoys his role as a behind the scenes contributor and believes what he does is essential to the team’s achievement of overall glory. Nah, this is the life I want,’” he added.
Prior to the start of the season, our ball boys report 2 hours early on game days to setup for pre-game warm ups. Yasuda and two other ball boys intently concentrate on their tasks. They play with zeal to funnel loose balls into the waiting arms of guys such as Chet Holmgren. Holmgren highlighted the importance of having rebounders during warm-ups: “It’s extremely important to find your shot before the game… You can get your rhythm.”
It’s not uncommon at any moment during warm-ups for three basketballs to be flying through the air as players around the arc work on their jumpshots. Without our ball boys’ cooperative ballet, we would have a very different experience. This collaborative approach keeps players active and focused for the show time.
Luguentz Dort, a current player for the Thunder, takes note of their speed and efficiency. “I’m glad our ball boys are fast. I will run through them. I will not wait. I’ll keep going.”
The friendship between the ball boys doesn’t stop when they leave their posts at matches. They often share lighthearted moments and experiences that enhance their bond as a team. Taylor joked that without gum, “there’d be an absolute catastrophe.” This points to how even the minutiae matter enormously to help construct a safe and fun environment.
These young men are not only at risk as they try to manage their increased burdens in high-pressure contests. Yasuda’s mother expressed her anxiety while watching him work courtside: “My mom said she was holding her breath the whole game today, and my sister said her heart rate went up.”
The ball boys approach their jobs with a joyful energy and seriousness of purpose. They are the invisible backbone of the NBA experience. They contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere of games and assist players in ways that may go unnoticed by fans.
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