Latest news with #ScottFoster
New York Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
For NBA referees, earning the White Jacket is the pinnacle of their profession
The NBA season is long and grueling, with players aspiring to compete in June for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, which is awarded to the champions. For NBA referees, their goal is to be working in June as well, officiating in the championship series and receiving the coveted White Jacket, which is awarded to referees selected for the NBA Finals. Advertisement Earning that apparel isn't easy, and it's an honor. 'It's kind of our trophy, the medal around our neck,' veteran referee Scott Foster said in a league video. Zach Zarba added: 'It's like the Masters green jacket for us.' NBA Finals referees are selected based on their overall performance throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs. Officials are evaluated by the league's referee operations management team after every round to determine advancement. 'We are grateful for these 12 individuals and their dedication to serving the game at the highest levels throughout the season,' NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell said in a release. 'Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the top honor as an NBA official, and I congratulate this exceptional group on a worthy achievement.' Here are the referees assigned to the 2025 NBA Finals (there are some familiar names): Foster (18th finals) Tony Brothers (14th) Marc Davis (14th) James Capers (13th) Zarba (12th) John Goble (ninth) David Guthrie (eighth) Josh Tiven (sixth) James Williams (fifth) Sean Wright (second) Tyler Ford (first) Ben Taylor (first) Ford and Taylor received their first White Jackets after serving as alternates during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott are the alternates this season. Foster has officiated the most NBA Finals games among this season's pool (25), followed by Davis (21) and Brothers (17). Each will likely work one of the first four games in the series. If the series continues past Game 4, the league will assign refs as needed. Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder is at 8:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday. (Photo of Scott Foster, Pat Fraher, Tony Brothers and Eric Lewis: Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE via Getty Images)
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NBA announces 12 officials selected for Thunder-Pacers Finals series
The NBA announced the pool of 12 referees selected for the 2025 NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. On Tuesday, the association revealed that Scott Foster, in his 18th NBA Finals, will return to officiate the championship series. Marc Davis and Tony Brothers will be making their 14th Finals appearances while James Capers and Zach Zabra make their 13th and 12th, respectively, Advertisement Other experienced Finals referees include John Globe (9th), David Guthrie (8th), Josh Tiven (6th) and James Williams (5th). Sean Wright will be returning to the NBA Finals for the first time while Tylor Ford and Ben Taylor will be working their first Finals assignments. 'We are grateful for these 12 individuals and their dedication to serving the game at the highest levels throughout the season,' NBA President of League Operations Byron Spruell said. 'Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the top honor as an NBA official, and I congratulate this exceptional group on a worthy achievement.' Foster leads the pack in Finals experience with 25 games, followed by Davis' 21 and Brothers' 17. Referees Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott have also been named as alternate referees. Advertisement The officials assigned to each game will be announced around 9 a.m. ET each game day, starting with Thursday's series opener. Oklahoma City is making its first NBA Finals appearance as the Thunder since 2012, when a young, Kevin Durant-led squad fell to LeBron James and the Miami Heat. With league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the forefront, the Thunder secured the top seed in the Western Conference with a 68-14 record. The Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies, went seven games with the Denver Nuggets and bested the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games to make the Finals. On the other hand, Indiana came out of the East as the fourth-seeded team with a 50-32 record. The Pacers nearly swept their way through the playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Bucks and upsetting the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in five games before taking care of the New York Knicks in six. Advertisement Tyrese Halliburton and Co. look to secure Indiana's first title in their first Finals berth since 2000. The NBA Finals begin at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
San Francisco Chronicle
7 days ago
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Scott Foster picked to work NBA Finals for 18th time, one of 12 referees selected for the series
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Scott Foster was selected to officiate the NBA Finals for the 18th time, the league said Tuesday when announcing the roster of 12 officials and two alternates that were picked to work the title series between Indiana and Oklahoma City. Foster is the most veteran of the group. Tony Brothers and Marc Davis were both picked for the 14th time, James Capers for the 13th time, Zach Zarba for the 12th time and John Goble for the ninth time in his career. David Guthrie is now an eight-time selection for the finals, while Josh Tiven was picked for the sixth time, James Williams for a fifth time and Sean Wright for a second time. There are two first-time selections this season: Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor. They were alternates in each of the last two seasons. 'We are grateful for these 12 individuals and their dedication to serving the game at the highest levels throughout the season,' said Byron Spruell, the NBA President for League Operations. 'Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the top honor as an NBA official, and I congratulate this exceptional group on a worthy achievement.' Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott were picked as alternates. Foster has officiated the most NBA Finals games among this year's referees with 25, while Davis has worked 21 and Brothers has worked 17. If previous form holds, each of the 12 will work one of the first four games in the series as part of a standard three-person crew. If the series goes past Game 4, the NBA will continue assigning as needed from the same pool for the remainder of the matchup. NBA Finals officials were selected based on their overall performance throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs. Officials were evaluated by the NBA Referee Operations management team after each round to determine advancement in this year's postseason, the league said. ___
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scott Foster picked to work NBA Finals for 18th time, one of 12 referees selected for the series
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Scott Foster was selected to officiate the NBA Finals for the 18th time, the league said Tuesday when announcing the roster of 12 officials and two alternates that were picked to work the title series between Indiana and Oklahoma City. Foster is the most veteran of the group. Tony Brothers and Marc Davis were both picked for the 14th time, James Capers for the 13th time, Zach Zarba for the 12th time and John Goble for the ninth time in his career. Advertisement David Guthrie is now an eight-time selection for the finals, while Josh Tiven was picked for the sixth time, James Williams for a fifth time and Sean Wright for a second time. There are two first-time selections this season: Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor. They were alternates in each of the last two seasons. 'We are grateful for these 12 individuals and their dedication to serving the game at the highest levels throughout the season,' said Byron Spruell, the NBA President for League Operations. 'Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the top honor as an NBA official, and I congratulate this exceptional group on a worthy achievement.' Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott were picked as alternates. Foster has officiated the most NBA Finals games among this year's referees with 25, while Davis has worked 21 and Brothers has worked 17. Advertisement If previous form holds, each of the 12 will work one of the first four games in the series as part of a standard three-person crew. If the series goes past Game 4, the NBA will continue assigning as needed from the same pool for the remainder of the matchup. NBA Finals officials were selected based on their overall performance throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs. Officials were evaluated by the NBA Referee Operations management team after each round to determine advancement in this year's postseason, the league said. The crews for each game are typically announced around 9 a.m. Eastern on game days. ___ AP NBA: Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Scott Foster picked to work NBA Finals for 18th time, one of 12 referees selected for the series
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Scott Foster was selected to officiate the NBA Finals for the 18th time, the league said Tuesday when announcing the roster of 12 officials and two alternates that were picked to work the title series between Indiana and Oklahoma City. Foster is the most veteran of the group. Tony Brothers and Marc Davis were both picked for the 14th time, James Capers for the 13th time, Zach Zarba for the 12th time and John Goble for the ninth time in his career. David Guthrie is now an eight-time selection for the finals, while Josh Tiven was picked for the sixth time, James Williams for a fifth time and Sean Wright for a second time. There are two first-time selections this season: Tyler Ford and Ben Taylor. They were alternates in each of the last two seasons. 'We are grateful for these 12 individuals and their dedication to serving the game at the highest levels throughout the season,' said Byron Spruell, the NBA President for League Operations. 'Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the top honor as an NBA official, and I congratulate this exceptional group on a worthy achievement.' Courtney Kirkland and Kevin Scott were picked as alternates. Foster has officiated the most NBA Finals games among this year's referees with 25, while Davis has worked 21 and Brothers has worked 17. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. If previous form holds, each of the 12 will work one of the first four games in the series as part of a standard three-person crew. If the series goes past Game 4, the NBA will continue assigning as needed from the same pool for the remainder of the matchup. NBA Finals officials were selected based on their overall performance throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs. Officials were evaluated by the NBA Referee Operations management team after each round to determine advancement in this year's postseason, the league said. The crews for each game are typically announced around 9 a.m. Eastern on game days. ___ AP NBA:
