NBA TV interviewed Riley J. Williams III, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, who discussed the HSS collaboration with the U.S.A. Basketball organization.

Dr. Williams shared that himself, Answorth A. Allen, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, and Lisa R. Callahan, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS, provide comprehensive sports medicine services for teams, including the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks.

As the team follows a demanding schedule of practices and exhibition games, Dr. Williams explained his role for keeping the players healthy when they travel. “It’s my responsibility to mimic and make sure they have the resources around the games and the travel itinerary that they would have as part of a regular NBA team. You have to remember it’s basically patchwork players from all over the league, and they don’t have the same infrastructure in China, in Australia, in terms of policies and protocols,” said Dr. Williams. “It’s up to the medical directors to make sure we know where the EMTs are, we have partnerships with local hospitals, and services on the ground just in case something happens,” he added.

The segment aired during the 11PM news hour on August 9, 2019.