NBA cheerleading

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league with teams in the United States and Canada. Nearly every team, with one exception, has a squad of dancers for cheerleading that are usually involved in dancing, charity work, fundraisers, and modeling. Recently, some NBA teams have expanded their previously all-girl teams to be more inclusive as part of efforts to appeal to a broader and rapidly growing audience.

Teams

The only team currently without traditional NBA dancers is the San Antonio Spurs. Until 2018, they had a dance squad called the Silver Dancers.

Notable NBA cheerleaders

Atlanta Hawks

• Deneen Graham (1994) – Miss North Carolina 1983
• Kaylin Reque (2008–11) – Miss Georgia USA 2011
• Laurie Flynn – wife of Matt Schaub

Boston Celtics

• Michelle Leonardo (2013–present) – Miss New Jersey USA 2012

Brooklyn Nets

• Melissa Becraft (2017–present) – dancer, TikToker
• Cassie Yeung (2016–2018) – Chef, TikToker

Chicago Bulls

• Shanon Lersch (2004–09) – Miss Illinois USA 2008
• Ashley Bond (2007–13) – Miss Illinois USA 2009

Maya Hayes (1996–1999) – dancer and choreographer Currently the Founder and President of the National Basketball Dancer Alumni Club est. 2023. She also served as the game day entertainment coordinator and choreographer for the Jr. Basketball League under the direction of Mr. LaVar Ball.

Dallas Mavericks

• Cindy Villarreal (1989–90) – choreographer
• Kandi Harris (2004–05) – wife of Hunter Mahan
• Jill Marie Jones – actress, Toni on Girlfriends
• Maya Hayes (2007–2009) – dancer and choreographer Currently the Founder and President of the National Basketball Dancer Alumni Club est. 2023. She also served as the game day entertainment coordinator and choreographer for the Jr. Basketball League under the direction of Mr. LaVar Ball.

Denver Nuggets

• Lindsey Kovacevich (2005–07) – anchor and reporter of KVAL-TV

Detroit Pistons

• Cassandra Ferguson – contestant on The Bachelor season 18
• Heather Zara – traffic reporter of WDIV-TV

Golden State Warriors

• Bonnie-Jill Laflin (1992–94) – model, actress, television personality

Houston Rockets

• Natalie Alvarado (1997–2004) – singer and dance team director of the Minnesota Timberwolves
• Casey Potter (2016–2018) –  director of the Houston Texans Cheerleaders

Indiana Pacers

• Angela Sparrow (2006–07) – Miss Illinois USA 2011
• Jocelyn Peck (2013–present) – wife of Stanley Havili

Los Angeles Clippers

• Eve Torres (2006–07) – wrestler
• Jocelyn Peck (2010–12) – wife of Stanley Havili

Los Angeles Lakers

• Paula Abdul (1980s) – singer, dancer, choreographer, television personality
• Tina Landon (1980s) – dancer, choreographer
• Emily Harper (2000–03) – actress
• Cindy Leos (2000–01) – dancer, choreographer, celebrity trainer
• Sandra Colton (2002–03) – dancer, author
• Taylour Paige (2010) – dancer, actress
• Leah Van Dale (2010–11) – WWE wrestler
• Natasha Martinez (2011–12) – Miss California USA 2015
• Moon Bloodgood – model, actress
• Vanessa Curry – singer

Memphis Grizzlies

• Stacey Tookey – dancer, choreographer

Miami Heat

• Jessica Sutta (1999–2002) – singer, dancer, actress, member of the pop girl group The Pussycat Dolls
• Trista Rehn (2000–02) – contestant on The Bachelor season 1
• Jenni Croft (2005–06) – contestant on The Bachelor season 11
• Layla El (2004–06) – model, dancer, actress, wrestler
• Hennely Jimenez (2006–07) – Actress, starred in the film 200 mph
• Kristina Akra – reporter for Fox Sports South
• Traci Young-Byron – (8 Year Vet) MTV's America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Lifetime's Bring it Set it up

Milwaukee Bucks

• Tanya Fischer (2003–04) – Actress of The Defenders
• Bishara Dorre (2008–11) – Miss Wisconsin USA 2014

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Brittany Thelemann – Miss Minnesota USA 2011

New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets

• Denise Garvey (1999–2000) – former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, former New York Knicks dancer, director of the New York Jets Flight Crew
• Keltie Knight(2003–05) – Television entertainment reporter

New Orleans Hornets

• Dawn Richard – singer, dancer, former member of Danity Kane

New York Knicks

• Heather Van Arsdel (1998–2005) – WPTZ news anchor
• Denise Garvey (2001–05) – former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, former New Jersey Nets dancer, director of the New York Jets Flight Crew
• Asia Nitollano (2006–07) – singer, dancer, former Pussycat Doll
• Amanda Grace (2008) – director of the New Jersey Devils Ice Dancers
• Sarah Mitchell – dancer, actress
• Sydney Lotuaco (2015–18) – Contestant of The Bachelor season 23

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Kimberly Sullivan (2008–09) – contestant on The Bachelor season 14
• Ali Dudek – singer (during the team's Seattle days)

Orlando Magic

• Megan Clementi (2003–08) – Miss Florida USA 2010
• Trinity McCray – WWE wrestler
• Sandy Fox (1988–91) – Voice actress

Philadelphia 76ers

• Amber-Joi Watkins (2005–07) – Miss Pennsylvania USA 2011

Phoenix Suns

• Brittany Bell (2006–09) – Miss Arizona USA 2010
• Jenni Croft (2006–09) – contestant on The Bachelor season 11
• Kat Hurd (2013–present) – contestant on The Bachelor season 18
• Tiffany Dunn – singer

Portland Trail Blazers

• Caysie Torrey (1997–98) – dancer, actress, clothing model
• Shannon Bex (1999–2004) – singer, dancer, former member of Danity Kane

Sacramento Kings

• Vanessa Born (2001–03) – actress and dancer
• Aubrey Aquino – TV reporter and host

Toronto Raptors

• Nicole Arbour – YouTube comedian and provocateur
• Nikki Grant (2007–09) – actress

Utah Jazz

• Tiffany Coyne (2000–02) – Co-host and model on Let's Make a Deal on CBS
• Jocelyn Peck (2007–10) – wife of Stanley Havili
• Jessica Sanchez – morning traffic reporter of WKMG-TV

See also

• NFL cheerleading
• NHL cheerleading

References

External links

• Atlanta Hawks A-Town Dancers Official Site
• Boston Celtics Dancers Official Site
• Brooklyn Nets Brooklynettes Official Site
• Charlotte Honey Bees Official Site
• Chicago Bulls Luvabulls Official Site
• Cleveland Cavaliers Cavalier Girls Official Site
• Dallas Mavericks Mavs Dancers Official Site
• Denver Nuggets Dancers Official Site
• Detroit Pistons Automotion Official Site
• Golden State Warrior Girls Official Site
• Houston Rockets Power Dancers Official Site
• Indiana Pacers Pacemates Official Site
• Los Angeles Clippers Spirit Dancers Official Site
• Los Angeles Lakers Laker Girls Official Site
• Memphis Grizzlies Grizz Girls Official Site

• Miami Heat HEAT Dancers Official Site
• Milwaukee Bucks Energee! Dancers Official Site
• Minnesota Timberwolves Dancers Official Site
• New Orleans Pelicans Dance Team Official Site
• New York Knicks City Dancers Official Site
• Oklahoma City Thunder Girls Official Site
• Orlando Magic Dancers Official Site
• Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team Official Site
• Phoenix Suns Dancers Official Site
• Sacramento Kings Dancers Official Site
• San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers Official Site
• Toronto Raptors Dance Pak Official Site
• Utah Jazz Dancers Official Site
• Washington Wizards Wizard Girls Official Site