Courtside to Boardroom: FAMU Students Join the NBA’s HBCU Fellowship Program
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — At Florida A&M University, students aren’t waiting for a seat at the table—they’re taking over the court.
The 2025 NBA HBCU Fellowship Program has chosen ten motivated and dynamic Rattlers for paid summer internships with various NBA teams and league corporate offices.
These fellows are transitioning from academic to business settings, gaining real-world expertise in social responsibility, media, marketing and sales.
"I've honestly always wanted to work for the NBA since I was a kid," said Cole Bigelow, a junior business administration scholar working in sales with the Cleveland Cavaliers. "Before I even applied to FAMU, I saw the NBA x HBCU program, and I already knew that's what I wanted to do." In addition to introducing students into the NBA environment, the program, which was designed to foster career pathways in sports, provides students with the leadership skills necessary to succeed there.
For Bigelow, preparation began early.
"I applied my freshman year even though they don't usually take freshmen, just to get a feel for it," he said. "By sophomore year, I started reaching out to people on LinkedIn, practicing interviews, and really trying to understand how the industry worked."
Cole Bigelow believes taking initiative and preparation helped land his internship
with the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo special to FAMU)
Now, one week into his internship, Bigelow is learning the ropes in a full-spectrum sales rotation.
"I'm doing business development, premium sales, hoop sales… it's a lot. I wasn't focused on sales before, but now I'm learning how important it is to be personable, to stay organized, and to talk to people in a way that builds trust," he said.
Bigelow further shared that his internship environment has shown him that leadership begins with taking initiative and being visible.
"You have to network, stay professional, and represent yourself well, even when the dress code is more relaxed than what we're used to at FAMU," he said.
Fellow intern Jefferey Hood Jr., a senior broadcast journalism scholar, serves as a digital fellow with the Sacramento Kings social media and digital content team.
"This is my third time applying," Hood shared. "I didn't get in my sophomore or junior
year, but I just kept pushing. I've always loved basketball, high school, college,
pros, and even overseas games. That passion made me want to be part of this program."
Jefferey Hood Jr., applied pressure by submitting for his internship three times,
and as they say, 'The third time is the charm.' (Photo special to FAMU)
Hood's determination finally paid off, and now his eyes have been opened to all the intentions that go into content creation.
"They're so strategic with their content. Everything has a purpose. It's not just posting for the sake of posting. That's something I'll definitely bring back to FAMU, especially in my role as sports director at the radio station," he said
Beyond the technical skills, Hood emphasized the value of relationships.
"There were over 8,000 applicants and only 73 selected. These people are going to be the future of the industry: managers, bosses, leaders. This fellowship is showing me the importance of networking, staying open, and knowing that I was placed here for a reason," he shared.
Meanwhile, a senior broadcast journalism scholar, Ashley Bigbee is interning in corporate communications with the Oklahoma City Thunder. She said her motivation to apply came from seeing the success of her peers.
"I was kind of pushed to do it by one of my line sisters and one of my prophytes," said Bigbee, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "I decided to take a leap of faith. I only selected one team, the Thunder, because that was the only one that really stood out to me."
Bigbee is already fully engaged in media operations, including credential management for Thunder's Loud City Live events, despite only having been an intern for a week.
She's also preparing for a major summer storytelling project highlighting Oklahoma City's culture and featuring interviews with longtime Thunder staff members.
"I've been looking at what previous fellows created," she said. "Later this summer, I'll be writing articles on longtime employees and a big piece that connects with the Oklahoma community, whether that's a local business, a cultural event, or a person."
Ashley Bigbee is showing the Okalhoma City Thunder how Rattlers strike. (Photo special
to FAMU)
For Bigbee, the experience is about more than writing. It's about expanding her idea of journalism.
"I want to challenge myself beyond photography," she said. "This fellowship is helping me think more strategically about storytelling in sports, from writing to branding to fan engagement."
Bigbee, who also serves as the president of the NAACP chapter at FAMU, sees immediate uses for the knowledge she is gaining on campus.
"OKC is so community-based. I've been thinking a lot about how we can take those ideas and apply them at FAMU, especially in how organizations like NAACP can collaborate with our athletic teams or other student organizations. There's power in those partnerships," she said.
The Lawrenceville, Georgia native also emphasized how the fellowship shapes her leadership and professional mindset.
"This experience is teaching me to sell myself and step outside my comfort zone," she said. "When we were in New York, I connected with people in IT and production, fields I never considered. It opened my eyes to how many roles are essential to building a brand."
Her advice?
"Don't just network with people in your own lane. Every connection matters. And when
you tell people your interests, they'll connect you with the right folks, especially
here. The Thunder is full of people who want to help you grow,"she shared.
FAMU's 2025 NBA HBCU Fellows
- Ashley Bigbee – Corporate Communications Fellow, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Ashley Bryant – Digital Marketing Fellow, Washington Wizards
- Jefferey Hood Jr. – Digital Fellow, Sacramento Kings
- Ziya Saffor – Graphic Design Fellow, Portland Trail Blazers
- Kalise Williams – Impact Fellow, San Antonio Spurs
- Cole Bigelow – Sales Fellow, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Zuri Sims – Social Responsibility & Player Programs DEI Fellow, NBA League Office
- Mya Bloodgood – Youth Basketball Development Fellow, NBA League Office
- Niyah Baldwin – Marketing Partnerships & Media Fellow, NBA League Office
- Alaya Dotson – Partnership Marketing & Media Fellow, NBA League Office
FAMU students aren't just observing the activity courtside, they're suiting up and getting in the game.
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
