NBA DANCE TEAM

Shannon Bex has been dancing and performing for over 20 years. You may know her from MTV’s Making The Band with Sean “Diddy” Combs and as a member of the Platinum selling, chart topping girl group Danity Kane. Through the whirlwind of this business she still looks back and credits the 5 seasons she had as an NBA dancer for the Portland Trail Blazers for preparing her for the journey she’s on now.

“Everything I experienced in one way or another prepared me for the future. From embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions in the middle of a dance. Having to learn a routine last minute day of the game. Or tripping and diving across the court (which I did!) to meeting with the public and having one on one time in the community. On top of all the amazing opportunities The Blazers allowed me to have. My coach and all of my girls were so supportive of my singing. They would let me perform during time outs and half time to sing my heart out while they danced behind me. All of it truly helped to refine me as an entertainer. ”

Looking back the timeline of opportunities lined up to perfection Shannon says. “Growing up dancing led to dance team, which led to dance camps. Where I went to a Blazer Dance camp and met an amazing group of women. I tried out for Blazers and danced for 5 seasons. That opened doors to sing in the community. Because of that I had experience and training that gave me confidence to audition for NBC’s “Fame” a triple threat competition with Debbie Allen. I was blessed to be the runner up. The next adventure that came out of that exposure was 4 seasons and 2 successful albums with Danity Kane. WOW!”

Though the chapter has recently closed on Danity Kane Shannon’s love for dancing, singing and fitness will not cease. She recently has developed a new dynamic dance endurance training specifically designed for dancers and performers called “Combique.” It uses Combined Techniques to enhance the over strength, flexibility and endurance to take one to the next level. It is already taking root in the Northwest. She currently is looking to bring it to Pro-Dance next year. So keep your eyes open, ears tuned and body’s ready for everything this girl is ready to bring.

Take a look at highlights from the often imitated, but never duplicated Orlando Magic Dunking Dancers.

Jaclyn has been dancing since the age of 2, and is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, and swing. She was the captain of her nationally ranked high school dance team, Don Bosco Prep, and also was a 3 year member of the nationally ranked Rutgers University dance team. She graduated from Rutgers with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and a minor in Psychology. After college, she went on to do theatre and commercial work. Regional credits include: Company (April); A Chorus Line (Kristine, u/s Val); Joseph…Dreamcoat. Broadway credits: Contact (National Tour). Film/TV credits: Panasonic, American Express, SpikeTV. Music Videos: 50 Cent. Jaclyn also performed as a back-up dancer for Britney Spears.

As a 3 year veteran of the Nets Dancers, Jaclyn has been featured on the CW11, Fox News, Fox and Friends, CBS, Good Morning America, YES Network, and Tuesday Night with Ahmad Rashad. She has also done choreography for the team, and appeared as an in-arena Emcee during Nets games. In addition, Jaclyn coaches the Netsational Seniors, and was featured in their documentary “Gotta Dance”, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC.

Q&A with Jaclyn Sabol:

When did you start your dancing career?

I was 2 years old and my mom was taking a tap dancing class. I insisted that I wanted to try, and Ive been dancing ever since.

How long have you been with the Nets?
The ‘08-‘09 season will be my fourth!

Can you please describe your workday as a Nets dancer?

We’re very busy! An easy day would be a 3 hour evening rehearsal, where we would learn a new dance or set our routines for an upcoming game. A harder day would consist of teaching a dance class or clinic, having an appearance (or 2) and then a game. A day like that is usually about 12 hours long.

You represented the Nets as part of the 2007 Las Vegas All Star Dance Team, can you describe your feeling when you knew you were selected?

I was shocked! I’m still so grateful to Petra and Kim for selecting me to be in the vote – and extremely grateful to the fans for voting for me. It was such a honor.

What was your experience like as an All Star dancer?

It was tough! We had a couple days to learn several routines, and we had a lot of appearances and interviews. I don’t think I ever got more than 4 hours of sleep, and by the time we performed at the All Star game I had a 104 degree fever! But I made so many new friends, and we still keep in touch.

What was your favorite moment during the All Star event? I was doing an autograph signing, and my parents showed up to surprise me! They were so proud, and I was so touched that they flew all the way to Vegas just for me. About 5 months later I lost my mom, so I’m very happy she was able to share that experience with me.

For aspiring dancers, what advice/tips would you give to help get them into the NBA Dance Team?

Get into class! Take all forms of dance, and do your research before an audition to find out exactly what they are looking for.

When you were selected as a Nets dancer, what skill or trait do you think helped you the most in the selection process?

I think my previous dance experience allowed me to walk in with confidence and helped me to pick up the choreography quickly. In addition, my experience with broadcasting made the interview process go smoothly.

Swimsuit calendars are becoming a big hit among some NBA teams, any future plan for the Nets to jump on the bandwagon?

I don’t think so. We’re slightly more conservative than some other teams, and we aim to put on a show for the whole family.

Have you had any embarrassing moments as a Nets dancer?

I once had to wear a dress that was a little too small and it pulled up my shorts so high that I thought I was going to be fired!

What has been your favorite dance routine ? I love all our routines! They’re all so different! We do everything from hip-hop to jazz to Broadway styles.

What has been your favorite costume this season?

My favorite costume of all time was our little sailor dress – we danced to Candyman by Christina Aguilera.

Do you ever get recognized in public?

Yes. I live pretty close to the arena so most people around here are Nets fans.

Outside the Nets, who is your favorite NBA player?

Actually, aside from watching Nets games and the playoffs, I prefer to watch college basketball. So I can’t say that I have one favorite player in particular.

What do you expect to be doing 5 years from now?

I would love to work in TV, and report on sports and entertainment.

You have been coaching the Netsational Seniors, can you describe to our readers your experience with that so far?

I coach and choreograph for a team of “senior citizens”, age 60 and up. The other coach, Marla, and I teach them hip hop and they perform at one game per month. They have quickly become fan favorites and there was even a documentary about them in this years Tribeca Film Festival in NYC. It’s been quite a ride! It’s taught me tremendous patience, and it proves that you’re never too old to dance!

What do you do when you are not dancing?

I recently began working in sales for a healthcare company, and I also take voice lessons, kickboxing classes, and love to travel when I can.

The Sports Illustrated invited ten NBA dancers to New York to be photographed and included in the 2009 Sports Illustrated issue.

The dancers in the issue are Alison Preston from the Boston Celtics, Kayla Oberg from the Phoenix Suns, DeLeah Caro form the Dallas Mavericks, Ashley Allen from the Miami Heat, Deanna Clover from the Orlando Magic, Taylor Walker from NJ Nets, Melanie Fitzpatrick from the 76ers, Chelsey Buhler from the Detroit Pistons, Shanon Lersch from the Chicago Bulls and Cheney Larschied from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Read the rest

Another year and another edition of the popular swimsuite calendars. Below is a list of NBA dancers swimsuit calendars:

- Philadelphia 76ers Dancers swimsuit calendar – $15
This version of the calendar is autographed by all 17 featured dancers. Regular calendar with no autograph is available for $10.

- Phoenix Suns Dancers Calendar
You will have to buy Verve energy drink for $18 and a free calendar with be included.

- Cleveland Cavaliers Girls swimsuit Calendar – $13.92
This calendar features all 16 members of the talented 08-09 Cavalier Girls squad. Complete with two bonus months (November 08 and December 08), this high quality glossy calendar showcases Cleveland’s ladies of the NBA. Cover girl contest winner, Jamie kicks off this year’s edition with wine and gold flair.

- Oklahoma City Thunder Dance Team Calendar – $20
Get your hands on the Oklahoma City Inaugural Dance Team Calendar featuring all the members of the 2008-2009 Thunder Girls’ Dance Team. Perfect for any fan, this 14 month wall calendar features full color images printed on photo stock paper.

- Mavs Dancers 2009 Calendar – $13.99
Don’t miss the excitement as the Mavs Dancers took their calendar to Vegas. for $22.99 you can get the calendar/DVD combo.

- Automotion Calendar 2008-09 – $13.00
This is the new Automotion Calendar for the 2008/09 Pistons season. Each month is highlighted with a beautiful Pistons Automotion Dance Team member dressed in swimwear. The calendar runs from December 2008 through June 2010 and features the Pistons regular season games for the 2008-2009 season along with television listings.

- Golden State Warrior Girls 2009 Swimsuit Calendar – $15.00
Get your hands on the latest edition of the Warriors Girls Swimsuit Calendar featuring all the members of the 2009 Warrior Girls Dance Team. Full color images printed on semi-gloss photo stock paper. Officially licensed.

- Houston Rockets 2008-09 Power Dancer Calendar- $9.24

- Wizard Girls 2008-2009 Calendar – $10.00
This full year, 12×12 calendar features all of your favorite Wizard Girls. All proceeds benefit the Wizards’ Care charity.

Comcast has added the Houston Rockets On Demand channel at no additional cost for its digital cable customers.

Through a partnership with Fox Sports Houston, the channel will feature the Making of the Houston Rocket Power Dancers in addition to 30-minute game highlights

NBA dancers are “more than eye candy, these entertainers help sell tickets, extend the brand” according to David Sweet of MSNBC SportsBiz.

“In other major sports, dancers per se don’t exist, but cheerleaders are often an important part of franchises. Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders have been featured on “The Colbert Report,” while the smarts of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders were tested on the show “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” Though baseball games are not known for their rah-rah attitude, the Dodgers-Padres spring training event in China in March featured a group of cheerleaders. Perhaps more surprising, the Washington Redskins’ cheerleaders performed at cricket matches in India this year.”

NBA dancers are important to sell tickets and season ticketholder retention:

“The Luvabulls are an extremely important part of our game presentation, which goes a long way in season-ticketholder retention,” said Chicago Bulls Director of Game Operations Jeff Wohlschlaege”

Most NBA teams are producing swimsuit calendars. Five teams in 2007-08 season issued calendars. Sales of these calendars have soared and they are usually one of the top selling items in the team shop. Dancers are usually out before the games signing autographs and taking photos with fans to help sell and promote their calendars.

In New Jersey, Net’s season-ticketholders can have lunch with dancers as part of their package.

“Taking the appeal of dancers to a different level, the franchise also boasts the NETSational Seniors – more than a dozen dancers mostly in their 60s who performed at a handful of games this season (they have yet to unveil a swimsuit calendar). Across the league, there’s the Pacemates in Indiana, the Automotion in Detroit and, of course, the granddaddy of them all, the Laker Girls, which launched showbiz careers for the likes of Paula Abdul.”

NBA Dance Team is looking for writers that are interested in cheerleading. If you are a current NBA cheerleader, or aspiring cheerleader and would like to share your experience or love of writing please contact us.

The dance bracket is back at NBA.com. The past two years, the Heat dancers won the majority of the votes. I won’t be surprised if they take the title again. That’s the only thing going for them right now. You can vote here.

Here is a list of all the 2008 NBA dancers swimsuit calendars. Only handful of teams issued calendar this year. Let me know if I missed any.

Eastern Conference:

• A-Town Dancers Wall Calendar – $9.99
• Boston Celtics Dancers – n/a
• Charlotte – n/a
• Chicago Luvabulls – Free poster in PDF format.
• Cavalier Girls Calendar – $13.92
• Detroit Pistons Automotion – $13.00
• Indiana Pacemates – n/a
• Miami Heat Dancers – n/a
• Milwaukee Bucks Energee Dancers – n/a
• New Jersey Nets Dancers – n/a
• New York City Dancers – n/a
• Orlando Magic Dancers – n/a
• Philadelphia 76ers – n/a
• Toronto Raptors Dancers – n/a
• Washington Wizards Dancers – $5 (offers 20 different calendars featuring one dancer per calendar)

Western Conference:

• Denver – n/a
• Dallas Mavericks Dancers – $12.99
• Golden State Warrior Girls – $12.00
• Houston Rockets Power Dancers – $9.24
• LA Clippers – n/a
• LA Lakers – n/a
• Memphis Grizzlies – $10
• Minnesota – n/a
• New Orleans -n/a
• Portland – n/a
• Phoenix – n/a
• Sacramento – n/a
• San Antonio – n/a
• Seattle Sonics Dancers – $14.99
• Utah – n/a