Nuggets of Advice from NBA Rookie Spencer Jones on Navigating NIL, Personal Branding, and Building a Legacy

My guest for Episode #293 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Spencer Jones, a rookie forward with the Denver Nuggets and a Stanford University graduate, where he earned a degree in Management Science and Engineering.

Episode page with links and more

He averaged 11 points per game over five standout years at Stanford, leading the Pac-12 in three-point shooting as a freshman and graduating as Stanford's all-time leader in three-pointers. Before college, Spencer also secured three high school state championships in Kansas.

While his professional basketball career with the Denver Nuggets keeps him on the court, Spencer's ambitions stretch far beyond the game. Passionate about the intersections of sports, health, and technology, he is actively building his brand in the health tech space, leveraging his platform as an athlete to explore innovation and make an impact off the court.

In this episode, Spencer shares his journey from high school state championships to becoming Stanford's all-time leader in three-pointers and his transition to the pros. Spencer opens up about his favorite mistake: hesitating to embrace the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities during his college years due to concerns about balancing individual branding with team dynamics. Reflecting on how this hesitation caused him to miss out on valuable opportunities early in his college career, Spencer explains how he learned to navigate those challenges and is now focused on capitalizing on his NBA platform while staying grounded in his basketball priorities.

Throughout the episode, we discuss Spencer's experiences balancing academics, athletics, and building a brand, including how his Management Science and Engineering degree from Stanford shaped his interest in the intersections of health, technology, and business. Spencer also offers insights into the evolving dynamics of NIL, the challenges of team equity, and the impact of the transfer portal. We explore his presence on LinkedIn as a platform for connecting with alumni and businesses, his passion for investments and startups, and how watching NBA superstar Steph Curry train influenced his own work ethic. Spencer's reflections provide valuable lessons on resilience, legacy building, and preparing for life after sports.

Questions and Topics:

• What’s your favorite mistake?
• Can you explain NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and the opportunities it offers athletes?
• How did NIL impact team dynamics, and what was it like balancing individual and team priorities?
• Did you consider transferring to another school, especially with the new transfer rules?
• What lessons did you learn about balancing academics and athletics at Stanford?
• Why did you choose Management Science and Engineering as your major?
• What impact did being in Silicon Valley have on your development, connections, and career opportunities?
• How much interest is there among players in investing, startups, and business ventures beyond basketball?
• What kind of resources does the NBA or players' associations provide to help players prepare for their futures?
• How does the G League (formerly D League) fit into player development for someone in your position?
• What factors went into your decision to sign with the Denver Nuggets, especially as a two-way player?
• How do you approach balancing short-term versus long-term decisions in your basketball and business career?
• What led you to build a presence on LinkedIn, and how has that platform benefited you?
• What advice do you have for other athletes about building their brand and preparing for life after sports?
• How do you manage the pressure of potential mistakes in high-visibility situations like an NBA game?