The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend took place in The Bay Area, and before the weekend festivities began, I had the chance to connect with Spencer Jones, a rookie forward with the Denver Nuggets.
What was meant to be a casual office tour at LinkedIn San Francisco turned into a thoughtful, hour-long conversation about life on and off the court. Spencer walked me through his journey, from playing college ball while earning a degree in Management Science & Engineering at Stanford University to making the leap to the NBA. He also shared his perspective on the intersection of tech and basketball, from AI elevating athletic performance to its significant impact on transforming fan engagement.
What struck me most was how Spencer is embracing what it means to be a modern athlete. He is leaning into content creation, using LinkedIn to share his passions & interests beyond basketball and touch on topics like digital innovations and investing. He is leveraging community and technology to expand his reach beyond basketball players & enthusiasts, connecting with a wider audience and offering a unique perspective through the lens of an athlete.
As someone who grew up watching the Knicks of the 90s: Ewing, Oakley, Starks, Mason (it was an era), I’ve always seen basketball as more than a game; it’s an analogy for life & work. Like any sport, it is strategy: communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Every second on the court is an opportunity to create, pivot, or assist; it’s amazing what can happen in less than a minute—we’ve seen it time and time again. Business works the same way. Whether you’re leading a project or exploring new career moves, the best “players” don’t rely on talent alone. They anticipate the next move, learn from every play & angle, and use technology to enhance efficiency and make data-driven decisions.
Three lessons stood out during my time with Spencer—ones that apply beyond the court and can scale for professionals looking to “elevate their game”.
Photo Credit: AJ Fernandez
Lesson #1: Data Is Your Game Footage (Analyze, Strategize, Execute):
Just as athletes use AI to examine their approach and refine their game, professionals at any stage, from early career starters to seasoned professionals, can leverage digital tools to measure progress and advance their careers.
While some may see LinkedIn as a job search and networking platform, it’s much more than that. It’s a trusted place for researching companies, staying informed, learning new skills, growing your business, and driving meaningful discussions. Recently added AI-powered features can also enhance your profile to attract business opportunities, help you create timely + relevant posts, analyze market trends, and prepare for important meetings (cannot emphasize enough how much this has boosted my efficiency & productivity).
When it comes to measuring success on LinkedIn, engagement metrics can serve as your “game tape”. You can track how well your content resonates with your audience, evaluate the strength of your connections, and monitor recommended job listings (a reflection of how the market perceives your skills and experience). Just like studying game footage, data & analytics reveal patterns and areas of focus, helping you sharpen your strategy for the next move. Study it, learn from it, and make necessary adjustments.
Lesson #2: There Is Power In Diversity (Build Your "Dream Team"):
On the court, success isn’t about having one star player (not everyone can be a Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or Diana Taurasi). Championships are won with diverse teams that elevate and complement each other’s strengths. The same principle applies to your career: your “dream team” should challenge how you think and inspire you from different worlds.
Take Spencer, for example—when we met, he had just returned from a tech summit with his teammates, where they explored new technological advances and opportunities. He shared his interest in learning more and building relationships with startup founders and VCs to stay ahead of trends and contribute to their growth down the line. For me, working in sales at LinkedIn, learning how our products are built makes me a better consultant for our customers. The best opportunities often come from unexpected connections: peer-to-peer mentorships, people from different functions & industries, even learning from interns with fresh perspectives.
Be open to new ideas and bring different players into the same conversation. Schedule meet & greets or lunch & learns with cross-functional teammates or attend panels outside your immediate role—you never know where your next lightbulb moment will spark.
Lesson #3: Moments Beyond Courtside Matter (Share Your Purpose):
Spencer knows that being an athlete today also means being a storyteller. Content isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore—it’s a powerful way to share your narrative and your purpose, connecting with others on a deeper level.
When I think about basketball, I think about the moments we don’t see: pregame rituals, mental preparation, early morning grind behind the highlights. Bring the audience along for the journey: share your wins, your lessons, and the moments that shaped you. How do you prepare for big projects? What tools make your life easier? What challenges did you face and overcome?
Be prescriptive—give a winning formula (it could be tips on time blocking, working out twice a week to boost energy, or taking a 30-minute break between tasks—an underrated habit we often forget). Show your audience your version of “game day.” Vulnerability and authenticity are what draw people in.
Rise to the Next Tier
Our conversation reminded me of why I’ve always loved basketball—it’s a constant reminder that every game is a chance to improve and every player’s journey is different. With the right technology, you can refine your strategy, sharpen your focus, and accelerate your growth—on the court and in business. Success is about more than just performance. It’s about intention, connection, and learning to leverage relevant tools to rise to the next tier.
The future is bright—excited to see Spencer continue to grow and shine on and off the court!
Video Credit: AJ Fernandez
Big thanks to Spencer Jones for stopping by the office (shoutout to D.J. Shea for the introduction and Carl Pascua + AJ Fernandez for joining in the conversation and capturing the behind-the-scenes footage).