The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league with teams in the United States and Canada. Nearly every team, with one exception, has a squad of dancers for cheerleading that are usually involved in dancing, charity work, fundraisers, and modeling. However, the #MeToo Movement has resulted in many NBA teams replacing their all-girl dance teams with family-friendly hype teams in recent years.
Teams
The only team currently without traditional NBA dancers is the San Antonio Spurs. Until 2018, they had a dance squad called the Silver Dancers.
Notable NBA cheerleaders
Atlanta Hawks
Deneen Graham (1994) – Miss North Carolina 1983
Kaylin Reque (2008–11) – Miss Georgia USA 2011
Laurie Flynn – wife of Matt Schaub
Boston Celtics
Michelle Leonardo (2013–present) – Miss New Jersey USA 2012
Chicago Bulls
Shanon Lersch (2004–09) – Miss Illinois USA 2008
Ashley Bond (2007–13) – Miss Illinois USA 2009
Maya Hayes (1996-1999) – dancer and choreographer Currently the Founder and President of the National Basketball Dancer Alumni Club est. 2023. She also served as the game day entertainment coordinator and choreographer for the Jr. Basketball League under the direction of Mr. LaVar Ball.
Dallas Mavericks
Cindy Villarreal (1989–90) – choreographer
Kandi Harris (2004–05) – fiancee of Hunter Mahan
Jill Marie Jones – actress, Toni on Girlfriends
Maya Hayes (2007-2009) – dancer and choreographer Currently the Founder and President of the National Basketball Dancer Alumni Club est. 2023. She also served as the game day entertainment coordinator and choreographer for the Jr. Basketball League under the direction of Mr. LaVar Ball.
Denver Nuggets
Lindsey Kovacevich (2005–07) – anchor and reporter of KVAL-TV
Detroit Pistons
Cassandra Ferguson – contestant on The Bachelor season 18
Heather Zara – traffic reporter of WDIV-TV
Golden State Warriors
Bonnie-Jill Laflin (1992–94) – model, actress, television personality
Houston Rockets
Natalie Alvarado (1997–2004) – singer and dance team director of the Minnesota Timberwolves Casey Potter (2016-2018) – director of the Houston Texans Cheerleaders
Indiana Pacers
Angela Sparrow (2006–07) – Miss Illinois USA 2011
Jocelyn Peck (2013–present) – wife of Stanley Havili
Los Angeles Clippers
Eve Torres (2006–07) – wrestler
Jocelyn Peck (2010–12) – wife of Stanley Havili
Los Angeles Lakers
Paula Abdul (1980s) – singer, dancer, choreographer, television personality
Tina Landon (1980s) – dancer, choreographer
Emily Harper (2000–03) – actress
Cindy Leos (2000–01) – dancer, choreographer, celebrity trainer
Sandra Colton (2002–03) – dancer, author
Taylour Paige (2010) – dancer, actress
Leah Van Dale (2010–11) – WWE wrestler
Natasha Martinez (2011–12) – Miss California USA 2015
Moon Bloodgood – model, actress
Vanessa Curry – singer
Memphis Grizzlies
Stacey Tookey – dancer, choreographer
Miami Heat
Jessica Sutta (1999–2002) – singer, dancer, actress, member of the pop girl group Pussycat Doll Trista Rehn (2000–02) – contestant on The Bachelor season 1 Jenni Croft (2005–06) – contestant on The Bachelor season 11 Layla El (2004–06) – model, dancer, actress, wrestler Hennely Jimenez (2006–07) – Actress, starred in the film 200 mph Kristina Akra – reporter for Fox Sports South Traci Young-Byron – (8 Year Vet) MTV's America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Lifetime's Bring it Set it up
Milwaukee Bucks
Tanya Fischer (2003–04) – Actress of The Defenders
Bishara Dorre (2008–11) – Miss Wisconsin USA 2014
Minnesota Timberwolves
Brittany Thelemann – Miss Minnesota USA 2011
New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
Denise Garvey (1999–2000) – former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, former New York Knicks dancer, director of the New York Jets Flight Crew
New Orleans Hornets
Dawn Richard – singer, dancer, former member of Danity Kane
New York Knicks
Heather Van Arsdel (1998–2005) – WPTZ news anchor
Denise Garvey (2001–05) – former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, former New Jersey Nets dancer, director of the New York Jets Flight Crew Asia Nitollano (2006–07) – singer, dancer, former Pussycat Doll Amanda Grace (2008) – director of the New Jersey Devils Ice Dancers Sarah Mitchell – dancer, actress Sydney Lotuaco (2015–18) – Contestant of The Bachelor season 23