One of Ayana Lawson's top NBA career moments of all time: Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, and Jerry West
๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ: ๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐จ ๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ก ๐จ๐๐ง๐๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ง ๐จ๐ฉ๐ช๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ค๐ฉ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐ก๐ค๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฎ. ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฝ ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ!
Ayana Lawson didnโt dream of working in professional sports.
Helping Oklahoma City Thunder players be successful on-and-off the court.
In fact, growing up in Alabama, she didnโt even know people like her could have a job in the industry.
There were no pro teams nearby.
Just the coaches and players she saw on TV.
โI was naive to think that was it.โ
But when she landed an internship with the Memphis Grizzlies, something clicked.
She wasnโt just an intern.
She was working under Jerry West.
The logo himself.
A kid from Prattville learning from one of the greatest.
How did that happen?
It opened her eyes to a world of careers she never knew existed.
Before that, she worked at a childrenโs museum.
Babysitting.
That internship didnโt feel like part of some grand career plan.
It was just a shot she took.
And sheโs grateful for every lesson she learned.
Thatโs something she always tells young people:
โItโs okay not to know.โ
Youโre not supposed to have everything figured out at 17 or 18.
Some people are 40, 50, even 60 and still donโt know what they want to be.
And thatโs fine!โ
So take chances.
Ask questions.
Dabble in new fields.
Internships, like the one Ayana did, can open doors to industries you never considered.
In the end, you might discover that your skills are transferable.
And thereโs a place for you in sports, entertainment, or any field you choose.
But the only way youโll know?
Try.
***
Want to make a positive impact on an undergrad or recent gradโs life?
Help them grow by sharing Ayanaโs story with them today.
Itโll give you a greater sense of purpose.
And get them one step closer to fulfilling their dream.
Thank you Ayana for sharing your belief in students with us for this series.
Itโs a gift to hear how you found your way into the sports industry and learn from your experience!
Follow Ayana on: Linkedin
