Dreams Do Come True — A New Chapter for NBA Big Board
Announcing My New Role with the Mavericks — and the Future of NBA Big Board
Dreams Do Come True
After years of dreaming, working, and doing everything I could to put myself in position to land a job with an NBA team, that dream finally came true last week.
Before I get into all the details, I just want to say thank you — sincerely — to everyone who reached out with calls, messages, texts, and congratulations. I’ve been completely blown away by the love and support. Over the past few days, I’ve received literally thousands of likes, comments, calls, and texts — to the point where even my parents are looking at me like, “Who are you?”
I haven’t been able to respond to everyone, but please know that I’ve read and seen a lot of your messages, and every single one of them truly means a lot to me. It’s been surreal, humbling, and a reminder of how many people have been part of this journey from the start.
I’m excited — and still a bit in disbelief — to share that I’ve officially signed a contract with the Dallas Mavericks to become a Europe-based International Scout.
This is the job I’ve wanted for years. From day one, I tried to position myself for this opportunity by studying the international game, knowing the prospects, and investing my own time and money into building relationships overseas. I’ve spent countless hours booking flights to Europe, watching practices, and building a real pulse on the international basketball scene.
This journey really started back in 2016, when I spent the 2016–17 season in Istanbul, Turkey, hanging around the Fenerbahçe men’s basketball team as a personal videographer for Ekpe Udoh. That year was the perfect storm — I was traveling to cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Milan to watch basketball, while Fenerbahçe captured their first EuroLeague title. That experience changed everything for me. I fell in love with the international game and made up my mind that this was the route I wanted to take to eventually reach the NBA.
And now, it’s finally here.
To my knowledge, I’m one of the few — if not the only — Americans who wasn’t a former player in Europe to be hired as a full time international scout. I’m incredibly thankful to the Dallas Mavericks for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.
There are so many people I want to thank. First and foremost, thank you to every subscriber — whether free or paid — who has supported this newsletter. Whether you read my mock drafts, scouting reports, or intel pieces, your support made all of this possible.
I also want to thank Chad Ford for trusting me with the NBA Big Board brand and allowing me to continue what he built. And a huge thank-you to the Locked On Network for giving me the platform to host a podcast and learn the value of relentless work. Doing five shows a week — watching games, producing, and recording every day — taught me discipline and rhythm that I plan to carry with me into this next chapter.
From here on, instead of sharing my draft thoughts and intel in the newsletter or on a podcast, all of my scouting work will belong to the Dallas Mavericks.
What’s Next for NBA Big Board
While I’ll be heading to Europe in the coming days to start this new role, NBA Big Board isn’t going anywhere. The newsletter will continue under the leadership of my brother James — my former Locked On co-host, and someone I truly believe is exceptional at what he does.
James has a sharp eye for talent, and I’m confident that he’ll continue to deliver the same high-quality draft analysis and coverage you’ve come to expect. My hope is that NBA Big Board can do for him what it did for me — serve as a platform to showcase his talent and open doors for his own career in scouting and front-office work.
James may also look to bring in additional voices — young, hungry, aspiring draft junkies who want to use this space as a platform and resume builder to pursue their own dreams in basketball.
So I’m asking you to please continue your support of NBA Big Board. The vision remains the same — the only change is that, from this point forward, the opinions and analysis you read will be 100% James’s.
As much as we’re alike as brothers, our perspectives on players can differ, and that’s part of what makes this fun. But going forward, I’ll have no input or involvement in rankings, scouting reports, or intel. That’s important — I would never want to jeopardize this opportunity with the Mavericks by sharing any internal information or insight.
What started as a dream has become reality, and I’m sincerely thankful for everyone who believed in me, read my work, and supported me throughout this ride.
Thank you for believing in me. And now, please believe in James the same way you believed in me.
I can’t wait to see what comes next — both for NBA Big Board and for this next chapter in my life.
— Rafael
Awesome news! Congrats!
Congratulations, Rafael, on a richly deserved opportunity- Dallas made an excellent choice. I've come to rely heavily on your thoughtful, informed views. James has big shoes to fill, but I look forward to reading his insights. Nonetheless, you will be missed!