On Friday, November 15, 2024, students from B.A.S.E. (Black Awareness Society for Education), DECA, and the basketball program took a field trip to the Pistons Performance Center where they learned about all things related to the NBA, including the business side. 

“It was such a blessing and honor to be able to bring this level of exposure to our students and let them know that whether it’s through business or athletics, they deserve to be in the top places and Catholic Central can help you get there,” stated Chris Okoye ‘14, Director of Diversity, Student Engagement, and Community Outreach. 

“Our kids were able to get a tour of the Pistons Performance Center. It’s the location for one of the most iconic franchises in the NBA and our students were able to get a behind the scenes look of everything it takes to run an NBA organization,” stated Head Basketball Coach, Tory Jackson.  

The students learned that there is a small percentage of athletes that go from high school to college to play basketball and that number is even smaller from college to the NBA. However, just because one does not make it to the NBA as a player doesn’t mean they can’t make it to the NBA.  

“Many of the employees that help run this organization are former high school hoopers who had the same dream of being an NBA player someday. Once they joined the business side of the NBA, they fell in love with it and they use those same skills they developed as players to drive them to excel when it comes to the business side of things in the NBA now,” Jackson stated.