Meet the Members
NBPTA Members from the NBA
Jump to team:
Atlanta Hawks
Ryan Brooks
PT, DPT, SCS, MA, CSCS
Performance Physical Therapist
“What I love most about being a PT is problem solving. Each case is a puzzle that requires attention to multiple needs including respecting the body's healing process, respecting the unique person in front of you, targeting key tissues and movements to optimize the injured area, and incorporating qualities and abilities specific to the sport that are requisite for an optimal return to play.”
Ryan Donahue
PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Head of Medical
“Being a member of the NBPTA provides a sense of community of forward thinking individuals driven to change the narrative of performance healthcare in professional sports.”
Brooklyn Nets
Alvin Dike
PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Physical Performance Coach and Therapist
“Being part of the NBPTA means joining a community committed to advancing our profession and fostering excellence.”
Stefania Rizzo
BSc(Bio), BSc(PT), MClSc, DPT, IOC Sports Dip, FCAMPT, MHPS(c), MSD(c), CGIMS
Head of Rehab Therapy
“What I love most about my role now is the opportunity to work alongside individuals performing at the highest level—athletes, coaches, the front office, and an interdisciplinary performance team. “
Cassidy Papa
PT, DPT, SCS. CSCS
Charlotte Hornets
Performance Physical Therapist
“I love working with a group of people with a common goal and mindset. Being a part of the process of keeping athletes on the court or returning them to the court following injury is special to be a part of. I love that my job combines my passion for human performance with my love for being a part of a team and my competitiveness.”
Denver Nuggets
Jack Friesen
Physical Therapist
DPT, PT, SCS, CSCS
“It is exciting to be a part of the NBPTA, being a part of a community of physical therapist who advocate for the profession, offer opportunity to network with peers, provide valuable resources and provide a platform to elevate the awareness of sports physical therapy, that is ultimately how we all grow individual and as a profession, supporting career development to ensure high quality care.”
Steve Short
PT, DPT
Vice President of Sports Medicine
“I love being able to serve and help people, while being able to pursue the deep challenges of health and performance.”
Los Angeles Clippers
Maggie Bryant
DPT, OCS, SCS, FAFS
President of Performance, Health, and Wellness
“I love seeing patients regain their confidence and independence. Helping someone return to their favorite activities or live pain-free is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about physical recovery but also helping them emotionally and mentally thrive again.”
Brett Ballesteros
PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, FAFS, CSCS
Los Angeles Lakers
Physical Therapist
“My favorite part of my job is working with a high performance team that is passionate about collaboration to achieve the best outcomes for the players we work with. I enjoy the process of problem solving alongside a multidisciplinary team, including our medical staff, coaches and players.”
Milwaukee Bucks
Luke O’Brien
PT, M.Phty (Sports), SCS
Director of Sports Medicine & Performance
“I enjoy the opportunity to be impactful. From collaborating with medical experts to problem solving with coaching staff, the variety of challenges keeps the role exciting and provides the chance to contribute to our team's success.”
Minnesota Timberwolves
Lisa Pataky
PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Sports Physical Therapist
“What I love most about being a PT is the opportunity to help athletes either get back to playing the sport they love or to help them be able to play at their highest level and potential.”
New Orleans Pelicans
Amy Atmore
PT, DPT, CSCS
Director of Rehabilitation
“Being a member of the NBPTA means being able to connect with other like-minded individuals to better ourselves and our future patients.”
New York Knicks
Andrew Small
PT, CSCS RSCC*D
Director of Rehabilitation
“What I appreciate most about my job is being part of a multidisciplinary team working toward a shared goal.”
Orlando Magic
Sameer Mehta
PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Physical Therapist
“As an NBA physical therapist, I thrive on our team’s unified push towards victories along with helping world class athletes. Working with advanced practitioners to chase the boundaries of performance, science, and health is incredibly stimulating. I love building players’ physical and mental resilience, fostering team bonds, and helping these young stars grow on and off the court. It’s an unbeatable, fulfilling experience.”
Phoenix Suns
Derrick Nillissen
PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, CSCS
Physical Therapist
Keegan Ross
PT, DPT, SCS
Performance Therapist
What I enjoy most about my role is collaborating with other practitioners to improve the health and performance of some of the most talented athletes in the world.
Cruz Romero
PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Physical Therapist
“I enjoy collaborating with elite athletes (as humans first) and high-achieving professionals daily. The fast-paced, ever-changing environment challenges me to constantly adapt, think creatively, and deliver results under pressure. It's incredibly rewarding to contribute to a high performance organization on and off the court.”
Portland Trail Blazers
“I wanted to join the NBPTA Board to collaboratively lead efforts in establishing a legacy within the NBA for the profession of Physical Therapy and further facilitate and establish our voice within the league.“
Sean Johnson
PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Physical Therapist
Chris Gerona
PT, DPT, FAFS, SCS
Physical Therapist
“Becoming a member allows a wonderful progression of the PT profession within the league and allows us to collaborate together as a whole.”
Jaclyn Lindell
Bio Coming Soon
San Antonio Spurs
Marilyn Adams
BScPT, MCISc, DPT, PgCert Med MSK Ultrasound
Director of Performance Therapy
“What I love most about my role now is the opportunity to work alongside individuals performing at the highest level—athletes, coaches, the front office, and an interdisciplinary performance team. Every day presents new challenges that require collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation.”
Logan Kelly-Sullivan
PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS, PhD(c)
Senior Performance Physical Therapist
“The best part of our job is problem solving. Every day brings something new and it provides you with the opportunity to think critically. It’s never boring and very rewarding.”
Toronto Raptors
“What I love most about my role now is the opportunity to work alongside individuals performing at the highest level—athletes, coaches, the front office, and an interdisciplinary performance team. Every day presents new challenges that require collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation.”
Amanda Joaquim
BSc Hons, MScPT, MClSc, FCAMPT, SPD, RISPT
Lead Physiotherapist
Alex McKechnie
PT, BSc Hons, MScPT, MClSc, FCAMPT, SPD, RISPT
Vice President of Health and Performance
“The establishment of the National Basketball Physical Therapy Association as a crucial step forward for the profession.”
Nikki Garcia
MClSc, MPT, BScKin, CSCS
“What I love most about being a PT is building meaningful connections and making an impact in not only the athlete's career, but also contributing to the team's success.”