NEW YORK, November 4, 2019 – The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is pleased to announce that José Calderón is joining the organization as the Special Assistant to the Executive Director for the 2019-2020 NBA season. In this new role, Calderón will work closely with NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts and the NBPA’s senior management team to advise on union strategy as well as on specific issues relevant to current NBA players.

He will be the first to serve in this role of Special Assistant, a season-long consulting position created by the NBPA specifically for a recent NBA player. The Special Assistant will help bridge the gap between current players and NBPA staff, giving guidance on the issues faced by players currently in the league and focusing on ways the union can better engage with their members.

Calderón will hold this position for the 2019-2020 NBA season and will maintain the ability to pursue other business opportunities outside of his role with the union. He will work out of the NBPA’s headquarters in Midtown Manhattan and will travel with NBPA senior management to union team meetings throughout the year. At the end of the season, Calderón’s term will come to a close and he will assist with the onboarding of a new Special Assistant for the 2020-2021 NBA season.

Calderón began his NBA career in 2005, signing with the Toronto Raptors after several years of playing professionally in Europe. The Spanish point guard played for the Raptors for seven seasons before being traded to the Detroit Pistons in 2012. After a year with the Pistons, he went on to play for the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to Detroit in 2019. During his 14-year tenure in the NBA, Calderón left his mark on and off the court, leading the league in free throw percentage (2008-2009) and three-point shooting percentage (2012-2013) while also working on global initiatives as an ambassador for UNICEF and as the creator of his own foundation.

In addition to his NBA career, Calderón has also experienced much success on the international level. Representing his home country of Spain, he participated in numerous FIBA EuroBaskets and World Cups as well as the last four Summer Olympic Games, taking home a total of 11 medals over the last 20 years.

“In this new role, José will be an invaluable resource for the NBPA,” said NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts. “Coming straight off of his 14^th NBA season, José brings a unique perspective to our organization through his understanding of the current issues our players are facing. We are eager to have access to his unparalleled wealth of knowledge and experience."

“After all these years of playing, this role checked all the boxes of what I was looking for as a transition from my basketball career,” said Calderón. “Being able to work alongside Michele and the other union departments will be a great opportunity to learn and explore the other side of professional basketball. I'm very excited at the same time to be establishing this new role for other players in the future and to share my views on players’ matters during this upcoming season"

All media inquiries should be directed to communications@nbpa.com.

About the NBPA

The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, or counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by the NBPI, the subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players’ group licensing rights.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations around the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need.

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