NBA Equipment Managers Association
Sparky Gonzales Wins 2017 David “DH” Nordstrom Equipment Manager of the Year Award
Equipment Manager Sparky Gonzales was named the 2017 David "DH" Nordstrom Equipment Manager of the Year by the NBAEMA (National Basketball Athletic Equipment Managers Association) in Chicago today. Gonzales has been with…
The Gear Guru—go behind the scenes with Jazz equipment manager Adam Klauke
The truck backs up slowly to the loading dock and the men inside climb out into the dark garage. In 24 hours, the building will be alive and aglow, thousands…
Our team of Equipment Managers
Andrew Henk is in his first season as head equipment manager for the Los Angeles Lakers. Prior to joining the Lakers organization, Henk spent two seasons with the Detroit Pistons as the assistant equipment manager (2018-19) and equipment intern (2017-18). Henk began working on the equipment side of sports as a volunteer with Michigan State University’s football equipment staff in 2017. Before moving over to equipment, Henk spent a few years on the business side of sports, serving time as an intern in MSU’s Spartan Ticket Office (2017), as an account executive for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and as a development coordinator in MSU’s Spartan Fund (2014-15). Henk earned his bachelor’s degree from MSU in 2014, while working as a student manager for the men’s basketball team (2012-14).
Jacob Diamond joined the Orlando Magic in 2017 as the team’s Equipment Manager. Among his responsibilities, Diamond manages the ordering, outfitting and distribution of all uniforms and team equipment, as well as overseeing operations within the Orlando Magic practice facility and locker room. While on the road with the team, he facilitates the transportation of equipment, as well as the set-up of the locker room in each city.
Prior to joining the Magic, Diamond spent 11 seasons as a clubhouse attendant for the Miami Marlins and three seasons as a team attendant for the Miami Heat. He began laying the groundwork for a career in professional sports as a bat boy for the Florida Marlins at 16 years old.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Diamond earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Florida International University in 2013. He and his wife, Rachel, reside in Orlando, Fla.
Prior to joining the Magic, Diamond spent 11 seasons as a clubhouse attendant for the Miami Marlins and three seasons as a team attendant for the Miami Heat. He began laying the groundwork for a career in professional sports as a bat boy for the Florida Marlins at 16 years old.
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Diamond earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Florida International University in 2013. He and his wife, Rachel, reside in Orlando, Fla.
Also, here is a link to an episode I did for the Orlando Magic Pod Squad:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orlando-magic-pod-squad-with-jacob-diamond-12-10-2019/id1304584775?i=1000459224116
Joe Cuomo is in his eighth season as the Equipment Manager with the Nets after beginning his career with the franchise as a Basketball Operations Intern during the 2011-12 season. He is currently the President of the National Basketball Athletic Equipment Managers Association and previously served as the organization’s vice president for two years. Prior to his tenure with the Nets, Cuomo spent a year as a Media Relations Assistant with the New York Mets and two seasons with the Washington Nationals at the club’s spring training complex.
The Ocala, Fla., native earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Business Administration from Seton Hall University, graduating summa cum laude from both programs.
David Jovanovic, an employee of the franchise since their inaugural season in 1988, returns for his 32nd season with the Pelicans in 2019-20.
His responsibilities as the team’s equipment manager consist of ordering and maintaining all of the team’s equipment and maintaining the team’s locker room. At home games, he ensures that the team and their opponents have everything they need for game preparation. In addition, he travels with the team to all preseason, regular season and playoff games and can be found in his usual seat at the end of the bench.
“Big Shot,” as he is known by the players and staff, also directs the team’s extensive ball boy program.
Along with his daily responsibilities with the team, he has also assisted with the original 1988 CBA tryouts for the team, the 1991, 2008, 2014 and 2017 NBA All-Star Games, training camp for the 1995 USA Women’s Basketball Team that competed in Atlanta for the Summer Olympics, an exhibition game with the 1994 USA Men’s Basketball Team that competed in the World Championships in Toronto as well as numerous NCAA Tournament Regionals and ACC Tournaments.
A native of Arlington, Va., Jovanovic attended Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., and earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1988.
His responsibilities as the team’s equipment manager consist of ordering and maintaining all of the team’s equipment and maintaining the team’s locker room. At home games, he ensures that the team and their opponents have everything they need for game preparation. In addition, he travels with the team to all preseason, regular season and playoff games and can be found in his usual seat at the end of the bench.
“Big Shot,” as he is known by the players and staff, also directs the team’s extensive ball boy program.
Along with his daily responsibilities with the team, he has also assisted with the original 1988 CBA tryouts for the team, the 1991, 2008, 2014 and 2017 NBA All-Star Games, training camp for the 1995 USA Women’s Basketball Team that competed in Atlanta for the Summer Olympics, an exhibition game with the 1994 USA Men’s Basketball Team that competed in the World Championships in Toronto as well as numerous NCAA Tournament Regionals and ACC Tournaments.
A native of Arlington, Va., Jovanovic attended Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., and earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1988.
Eric Hallman enters his fifth season with the Trail Blazers in 2019-20. Hallman is in charge of outfitting and maintaining all of the team’s basketball related equipment at home and on the road. He oversees a staff that includes one assistant and 14 team attendants. An Arizona native, Hallman previously worked for the Phoenix Suns for 17 years, beginning at age 12 as a ball boy, before being promoted to team attendant and most recently to Assistant Equipment Manager. On top of his duties with the Suns, he was the Head Equipment Manager and Basketball Operations Manager for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury from 2011-15. Recently married, Eric and his wife, Jill, reside in Portland
https://www.nba.com/blazers/eric-hallman
Peter Warden enters his first season as Timberwolves Equipment Manager. In his role, Warden manages all the team’s equipment and uniform-related matters, both at home and on the road. He also coordinates the team’s travel.
Prior to joining the Wolves, Warden spent 14 seasons with the Texas A&M men’s basketball program, including the past four seasons as assistant athletic director working primarily in internal operations. He spent five seasons as student manager, including two years as head manager, prior to serving the 2006-07 season as director of operations.
Warden also was in basketball operations with the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program for two seasons. He served as an administrator for three foreign summer tours with Athletes in Action. AIA toured Australia in 2007 and played in the William Jones Cup in Taiwan in 2006 and toured East Asia in 2005.
A native of Houston, Texas, Warden resides in Eden Prairie.
Prior to joining the Wolves, Warden spent 14 seasons with the Texas A&M men’s basketball program, including the past four seasons as assistant athletic director working primarily in internal operations. He spent five seasons as student manager, including two years as head manager, prior to serving the 2006-07 season as director of operations.
Warden also was in basketball operations with the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program for two seasons. He served as an administrator for three foreign summer tours with Athletes in Action. AIA toured Australia in 2007 and played in the William Jones Cup in Taiwan in 2006 and toured East Asia in 2005.
A native of Houston, Texas, Warden resides in Eden Prairie.
John “Kong” Coumoundouros is a native of Detroit who began working with the Detroit Pistons in 2002. In 2012, he was named the team’s first full-time equipment manager. In his current position, Coumoundouros has expanded the Detroit Pistons equipment staff from one person, to include two full-time assistants and 14 team attendants.
Coumoundouros’ duties include ensuring the team’s uniform, equipment, and game-time operations run both smoothly and efficiently.
In almost two decades with the team, Coumoundouros has been a part of an NBA Championship (2004), two NBA Finals appearances (2004, 2005) and six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals (2003-08). His experience also included the team’s transition from playing at The Palace of Auburn Hills to Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit in 2017, and the organization’s relocation to its new training facility and corporate headquarters in Midtown, Detroit in 2019.
Coumoundouros currently serves as Vice President of the National Basketball Athletic Equipment Managers Association. As a life-long resident of Detroit, he also enjoys working closely with the team’s community relations department, helping with current and future outreach programs within the community.
Coumoundouros resides in Troy, MI, with his wife Allison and two children.
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