The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league with teams in the United States and Canada. Nearly every team, with one exception, has a squad of dancers for cheerleading that are usually involved in dancing, charity work, fundraisers, and modeling.[1] However, the #MeToo Movement has resulted in many NBA teams replacing their all-girl dance teams with family-friendly hype teams in recent years.
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Teams
editThe only team currently without traditional NBA dancers is the San Antonio Spurs.[30] Until 2018, they had a dance squad called the Silver Dancers.
Notable NBA cheerleaders
editAtlanta Hawks
edit- Deneen Graham (1994) – Miss North Carolina 1983
- Kaylin Reque (2008–11) – Miss Georgia USA 2011
- Laurie Flynn – wife of Matt Schaub
Boston Celtics
edit- Michelle Leonardo (2013–present) – Miss New Jersey USA 2012
Chicago Bulls
edit- Shanon Lersch (2004–09) – Miss Illinois USA 2008
- Ashley Bond (2007–13) – Miss Illinois USA 2009
Maya Hayes (1996–1999) – dancer and choreographer Currently the Founder and President of the National Basketball Dancer Alumni Club est. 2023. She also served as the game day entertainment coordinator and choreographer for the Jr. Basketball League under the direction of Mr. LaVar Ball.
Dallas Mavericks
edit- Cindy Villarreal (1989–90) – choreographer
- Kandi Harris (2004–05) – fiancée of Hunter Mahan[31]
- Jill Marie Jones – actress, Toni on Girlfriends
- Maya Hayes (2007–2009) – dancer and choreographer Currently the Founder and President of the National Basketball Dancer Alumni Club est. 2023. She also served as the game day entertainment coordinator and choreographer for the Jr. Basketball League under the direction of Mr. LaVar Ball.
Denver Nuggets
edit- Lindsey Kovacevich (2005–07) – anchor and reporter of KVAL-TV
Detroit Pistons
edit- Cassandra Ferguson – contestant on The Bachelor season 18
- Heather Zara – traffic reporter of WDIV-TV
Golden State Warriors
edit- Bonnie-Jill Laflin (1992–94) – model, actress, television personality
Houston Rockets
edit- Natalie Alvarado (1997–2004) – singer and dance team director of the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Casey Potter (2016–2018) – director of the Houston Texans Cheerleaders
Indiana Pacers
edit- Angela Sparrow (2006–07) – Miss Illinois USA 2011
- Jocelyn Peck (2013–present) – wife of Stanley Havili
Los Angeles Clippers
edit- Eve Torres (2006–07) – wrestler
- Jocelyn Peck (2010–12) – wife of Stanley Havili
Los Angeles Lakers
edit- Paula Abdul (1980s) – singer, dancer, choreographer, television personality
- Tina Landon (1980s) – dancer, choreographer
- Emily Harper (2000–03) – actress
- Cindy Leos (2000–01) – dancer, choreographer, celebrity trainer
- Sandra Colton (2002–03) – dancer, author
- Taylour Paige (2010) – dancer, actress
- Leah Van Dale (2010–11) – WWE wrestler
- Natasha Martinez (2011–12) – Miss California USA 2015
- Moon Bloodgood – model, actress
- Vanessa Curry – singer
Memphis Grizzlies
edit- Stacey Tookey – dancer, choreographer
Miami Heat
edit- Jessica Sutta (1999–2002) – singer, dancer, actress, member of the pop girl group Pussycat Doll
- Trista Rehn (2000–02) – contestant on The Bachelor season 1
- Jenni Croft (2005–06) – contestant on The Bachelor season 11
- Layla El (2004–06) – model, dancer, actress, wrestler
- Hennely Jimenez (2006–07) – Actress, starred in the film 200 mph
- Kristina Akra – reporter for Fox Sports South
- Traci Young-Byron – (8 Year Vet) MTV's America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Lifetime's Bring it Set it up
Milwaukee Bucks
edit- Tanya Fischer (2003–04) – Actress of The Defenders
- Bishara Dorre (2008–11) – Miss Wisconsin USA 2014
Minnesota Timberwolves
editNew Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
edit- Denise Garvey (1999–2000) – former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, former New York Knicks dancer, director of the New York Jets Flight Crew
- Keltie Knight(2003–05) – Television entertainment reporter
New Orleans Hornets
edit- Dawn Richard – singer, dancer, former member of Danity Kane
New York Knicks
edit- Heather Van Arsdel (1998–2005) – WPTZ news anchor
- Denise Garvey (2001–05) – former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, former New Jersey Nets dancer, director of the New York Jets Flight Crew
- Asia Nitollano (2006–07) – singer, dancer, former Pussycat Doll
- Amanda Grace (2008) – director of the New Jersey Devils Ice Dancers
- Sarah Mitchell – dancer, actress
- Sydney Lotuaco (2015–18) – Contestant of The Bachelor season 23
Oklahoma City Thunder
edit- Kimberly Sullivan (2008–09) – contestant on The Bachelor season 14
- Ali Dudek – singer (during the team's Seattle days)[32]
Orlando Magic
edit- Megan Clementi (2003–08) – Miss Florida USA 2010
- Trinity McCray – WWE wrestler
- Sandy Fox (1988–91) – Voice actress
Philadelphia 76ers
edit- Amber-Joi Watkins (2005–07) – Miss Pennsylvania USA 2011
Phoenix Suns
edit- Brittany Bell (2006–09) – Miss Arizona USA 2010
- Jenni Croft (2006–09) – contestant on The Bachelor season 11
- Kat Hurd (2013–present) – contestant on The Bachelor season 18
- Tiffany Dunn – singer
Portland Trail Blazers
edit- Caysie Torrey (1997–98) – dancer, actress, clothing model
- Shannon Bex (1999–2004) – singer, dancer, former member of Danity Kane
Sacramento Kings
edit- Vanessa Born (2001–03) – actress and dancer
- Aubrey Aquino – TV reporter and host[33]
Toronto Raptors
edit- Nicole Arbour – YouTube comedian and provocateur
- Nikki Grant (2007–09) – actress
Utah Jazz
edit- Tiffany Coyne (2000–02) – Co-host and model on Let's Make a Deal on CBS
- Jocelyn Peck (2007–10) – wife of Stanley Havili
- Jessica Sanchez – morning traffic reporter of WKMG-TV
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b NBA Dance Teams, I Love This Game, Manlyweb.com
- ^ Atlanta Hawks Dance Team | Main Page | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE ATLANTA HAWKS
- ^ Game Night Entertainment | Celtics.com - The official website of the Boston Celtics
- ^ Brooklynettes
- ^ Honeybees
- ^ Chicago Luvabulls | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE CHICAGO BULLS
- ^ "PowerHouse 2019-20". Cleveland Cavaliers. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
- ^ mavericks dancers | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE DALLAS MAVERICKS
- ^ NUGGETS: 2009–10 Nuggets Dancers
- ^ Automotion | The Official Site Of The Detroit Pistons
- ^ WARRIORS: Warrior Girls 2005–06
- ^ ROCKETS: Clutch City Dancers
- ^ Pacemates Home | The Official Site Of The Indiana Pacers
- ^ CLIPPERS: Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dance Team
- ^ Meet the 2005–06 Laker Girls | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS
- ^ "The Memphis Grizz Girls". NBA.com.
- ^ HEAT: Miami HEAT Dancers
- ^ BUCKS: Energee!
- ^ Pelicans Dance Team
- ^ Knicks City Dancers – Home
- ^ Oklahoma City Thunder | Thunder Girls
- ^ MAGIC: 2011–12 Orlando Magic Dancers
- ^ SIXERS: 2011–12 Sixers Dancers
- ^ SUNS: Phoenix Suns Dance Team
- ^ BLAZERS: Blazer Dancers
- ^ KINGS: Kings Royal Court Dancers
- ^ RAPTORS: 2005–06 Raptors Dance Pak!
- ^ Jazz: Dance | The Official Site Of The Utah Jazz
- ^ WIZARDS: | Wizards Dancers | Washington Wizards
- ^ "San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers upset over decision to disband squad for 'family friendly' co-ed 'hype team'". Fox News. 23 May 2018.
- ^ Up & Down: It's good to be Hunter ... Mahan, that is - Golf, PGA Tour - CBSSports.com PGA, News, Leaderboard Scores, Schedule and Stats
- ^ "Ali Dee - Home". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
- ^ Aubrey Up Close
External links
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Basketball Association cheerleaders.