Key Takeaways
- UCLA Health will provide physician support to the men’s and women’s national basketball teams at the next two Olympic Games and other events.
- This multi-year partnership is centered around UCLA Health providing top-notch orthopedic and sports medicine.
USA Basketball, the national governing body for the sport of basketball in the United States, and UCLA Health, a world-class health care system, have announced a multi-year partnership that will establish UCLA Health as the official team physician for USA Basketball.
The partnership is centered around UCLA Health providing top-notch orthopedic and sports medicine to USA Basketball’s talented athletes, ensuring they are fit to compete. UCLA Health will provide physician care to the men’s and women’s basketball national teams at the next two Olympic Games, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup and training camps, as well as provide resources and support to USA Basketball’s men’s and women’s junior national team programs.
“Our partnership with UCLA Health will enable USA Basketball to provide our players with best-in-class health care coverage,” said USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley. “Together with UCLA Health, we are committed to supporting our players as they compete on the world’s biggest stage.”
“We are thrilled to join USA Basketball as their official team physician,” said Johnny Spisso, president of UCLA Health and CEO of the UCLA Hospital System. “As a health care leader serving the region, nation and internationally, our experts are committed to ensuring our teams have the support they need to succeed at the highest level of competition.”
Additionally, UCLA Health will support young athletes and leaders by partnering with USA Basketball’s Women in the Game initiative, which educates high school girls, college girls and young professionals on career paths in the sports industry and how to turn their passions into opportunities.
“We are honored to bring our orthopedic and sports medicine expertise to the U.S. Basketball team,” said Dr. Nicholas Bernthal, chair of the orthopedic department and executive medical director at UCLA Health. “Leveraging our experience working with some of Los Angeles’ top professional and collegiate athletes, including the Lakers, Dodgers, Sparks and UCLA Athletics, we will help the U.S. Basketball team maximize their performance on the world stage. We look forward to providing best-in-class clinical care and collaborating on sports science innovations to develop the treatments of tomorrow.”
This story was originally published on the UCLA Health website.
