Q&A With Judy Seto
The First Female Physical Therapist in the NBA
Judy Seto has been a pioneer in sports physical therapy, breaking barriers as the first female PT in the NBA. Starting with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011, she served as Head PT from 2011 to 2016 and later as Director of Sports Performance from 2019 to 2022. Beyond basketball, her expertise has been sought after across multiple professional leagues—she has consulted for NBA teams like the Warriors, Magic, and Sixers, as well as the LA Dodgers, LA Kings, and LA Sparks. Now, she continues to shape the future of athlete care as the Head of Rehabilitation and Sports PT for the Los Angeles Football Club. In this Q&A, she shares her experiences working at the highest level, the evolution of sports rehab, and valuable advice for those looking to break into the industry.
What was your experience like when you first got the job with the Lakers?
When I joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the Head Physical Therapist in 2011, it was a pivotal moment for both the team and the broader NBA landscape, as only about half of the teams had full-time physical therapists at that time. Although I was the first female PT hired by an NBA team, my path to this role was a very natural and organic progression.
I had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Stephen Lombardo, the Lakers’ team orthopedist, at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. From there, my journey began by working with Lakers staff, coaches, retired players, and their families. As I built relationships and trust within the organization, I gradually expanded my role to include working with active players and covering games.
Over time, my relationship with the team grew stronger, and after many years of serving as a PT consultant, it felt like a seamless next step to become the team’s full-time physical therapist. The opportunity was a result of years of hard work, building trust, and a genuine passion for helping athletes perform at their best.
Who are some of the women you’ve been inspired by?
My Mom (Number 1): My mom is undoubtedly my greatest inspiration. She immigrated to the US from China after my parents married. They had to learn a new language, had limited financial support and were away from family. Despite these many challenges, they were determined to build a new life. Together, they learned how to run a successful restaurant business from the ground up, put three children through college, and introduced us to the world of sports. They taught me the values of resilience, relentlessness, and dedication. My mom is fearless, and her strength continues be an inspiration to our family.
My PT Professors at Stanford University: I owe much of my professional foundation to incredible women like professors Dr. Barbara Kent, Dr. Katherine Shepard, and Dr. Helen Blood. These trailblazers were instrumental in shaping physical therapy as we know it today in the US. They didn’t just teach us the technical aspects of the field, but they also instilled in us the importance of thinking outside the box, practicing differential diagnosis, and committing to lifelong learning. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had such inspiring mentors.
Are there any influential courses/classes you took that you would recommend to others?
In today’s world of sports performance, teams have increasingly turned to multidisciplinary approaches, adding specialists in various fields to optimize athlete health and performance. As a Sports PT, it's not just about being an expert in rehabilitation; it’s also crucial to understand the role and strengths of other specialists in the process.
One of the most impactful experiences for me was earning my Master’s degree in High Performance Sport from Australian Catholic University. I was the first student from the NBA to enroll in this program. It allowed me to understand the terminology, concepts and methodologies of Sports Scientists and Data Analysts, bridging the gap between rehabilitation and sports performance. It gave me a competitive edge by helping me recognize patterns, use objective measures to establish baselines, and develop targeted preventative programs. Most importantly, it allowed me to integrate these insights into return-to-sport protocols, ensuring athletes are not only recovering but performing at their best.
What are your thoughts on the National Basketball Physical Therapy Association and its potential impact?
Knowledge, experience, and perspective are truly priceless in the world of sports physical therapy. Every Sports PT in the NBA faces similar challenges, questions, and barriers, not only in the demands of rehab and return-to-sport protocols but also in navigating the unique landscape of professional sports. This includes managing work-life balance, which often feels elusive in this industry, along with the inevitable stresses that come with the job.
The establishment of the National Basketball Physical Therapy Association (NBPTA) is a significant step in addressing these challenges. It provides a vital platform for Sports PTs to come together, share ideas, tackle common challenges, and support each other. It also offers an open forum for communication and the exchange of insights across team lines, allowing for broader collaboration. By fostering this sense of community, the NBPTA promotes ongoing learning, encourages the sharing of knowledge, and creates an environment where everyone can grow. Ultimately, it’s a powerful way to elevate the profession and ensure we continue to offer the best possible care to our athletes.
Were there any mentors or allies who supported you along the way? How did they help?
The most influential mentor in my development as a Sports PT was Clive Brewster. Clive was a true trailblazer—one of the first to work in Sports PT before it even had a defined title. As both my boss and mentor, Clive consistently pushed me to excel. His leadership embodied humility, confidence without arrogance, and a relentless drive for improvement. Even though the sports PT field was and remains largely male-dominated, Clive created an environment where I was encouraged to thrive and grow. He showed me what it meant to be a professional with humility and confidence, always leading by example with a focus on continuous improvement
Another key ally in my journey has been the team of physicians at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. Dr. Robert Kerlan and Dr. Frank Jobe were among the pioneers of Sports Medicine, helping to shape the field as we know it today. Dr. Jobe, in particular, is famously known for inventing the Tommy John surgery, a procedure that has saved the careers of countless elite baseball players. Working alongside these experts, in an environment rich with knowledge and cutting-edge research, helped me gain invaluable expertise across a range of sports.
Where do you see the future of sports PT going?
The future of Sports PT is increasingly focused on expanding our role beyond traditional injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return-to-play protocols. As teams build more integrated, multidisciplinary Performance Teams, it’s essential for Sports PTs to understand how fields like Sports Science, nutrition, and mental health intersect with our work. These fields intersect with the roles of athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and team coaches, and Sports PTs have a unique opportunity to collaborate and bridge these disciplines.
By combining our expertise with data-driven insights, Sports PTs can offer a distinct perspective on how to optimize training loads and maintain performance at the highest level. The ability to interpret and apply data effectively will play a key role in enhancing overall athlete performance and longevity. The future holds great potential for Sports PTs to play an even more integral role in shaping the comprehensive care and success of athletes.
How did you build trust and credibility with athletes and coaches?
Building trust and credibility begins with understanding that every role within the team is essential, no matter how big or small. Whether it’s the security guard who greets you, the equipment manager handling the endless cycle of gear, or the Sports PT who is responsible for the health and performance of the players, everyone has a vital role. Recognizing this and respecting each individual's contribution is key to fostering strong relationships.
To build trust, I’ve always made it a point to show up as my best self every day. This means continuously learning, staying humble, and leaving my ego at the door. Trust and credibility are earned over time through consistent actions and genuine effort. And while it takes time to earn, they can be lost in an instant, so I make it a priority to maintain that trust through my actions and commitment to the team.
What do you hope your legacy will be in the field of sports medicine?
I’m incredibly grateful for the journey I’ve had in sports medicine and sports performance, surpassing my own expectations as a clinician. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing many facets of physical therapy, from teaching and research to administration and mentorship. None of this would have been possible without the guidance and wisdom of those who paved the way before me.
As for my legacy, I hope to inspire others, especially those passionate about physical therapy, to push beyond their own limits and discover opportunities they may not have initially imagined. If I can inspire those who didn’t see themselves in roles like mine or who hadn’t considered certain possibilities for their own careers, I will feel incredibly proud. It's a reminder that progress in our field is about more than individual achievements but about creating pathways for others to thrive.
