03-03-2025
First female NBA scout talks trailblazing for Women's History Month
(NewsNation) — To celebrate Women's History Month, the first and only female NBA scout, Bonnie-Jill Laflin, joined 'Morning in America' to discuss how she went from being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader to a member of the Los Angeles Lakers staff.
Laflin, 48, continues to work in sports media, a career that initially led to her becoming a scout. According to Laflin, she was hired by the late former Lakers owner Jerry Buss for an unpaid role after he noticed her ability to break down the triangle offense in the media.
Before the role, Laflin was a cheerleader for three pro sports teams, had a recurring role in 'Baywatch' and worked as a model.
'People know Phil Jackson's offense was really hard to comprehend, even the players had some hard times with it,' Laflin said.
'[Buss] saw that I had this skill, this talent to find talent, find players. And so he brought me on board.'
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Laflin received five NBA championship rings during her time with the organization. Despite her accomplishments, she said there were, and continue to be, challenges to being a woman in sports.
'You're a female in a man's world, so trying to overcome that and the scrutiny that comes along with that, you're always under a microscope,' Laflin said.
'I always say, there's no room, there's no margin for error. We always have to be perfect. There always has to be perfection, which can be very challenging and get a little stressful at times.'
Laflin says tennis legend Billie Jean King, former race car driver Danica Patrick and Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee were among her role models.
'As I get comfortable, and as I get older, it's like I get more comfortable in my own skin,' Laflin said.
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