A Special Shoutout From the Mavericks to a Staff Member

When the Dallas Mavericks sent staff members to the NBA Draft Lottery, they joined 13 other teams in search of the top pick. However, the Mavs are probably the only team that sent their assistant equipment manager.

When I first started covering the Dallas Mavericks, I can honestly say I never thought I would write a piece about one of the team’s equipment managers. In fact, outside of the players and the head coach, I never would have guessed that I could name another staff member out there.

That is until I watched the NBA Draft Lottery and saw Neil Herskowitz representing the team.

Neil Herskowitz is not a household name and probably will never be a household name, but he has been with the Mavericks for many years. I don’t know exactly how long he has been with the team, but I do know it’s been at least 5 years. When deciding who would come to represent the team, Herskowitz was selected “unanimously” according to Cassidy Hubarth in her interview with him.

None of that amazing story is nearly as cool as learning a little bit more about Neil from his interview shortly before the lottery began. Herskowitz was born with a condition known as Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease which causes heavy mucus buildup in the lungs that can be fatal if not monitored closely.

Most people with the disease do the best they can to treat the symptoms daily, but no real cure has been found for cystic fibrosis at this point. Neil was a recipient of a double-lung transplant in 2015 which has helped him in continuing to live a normal life after his lungs began to give out.

Neil deserves a special shoutout for his ongoing fight and his ability to come into work everyday despite the condition that has plagued him throughout his life. A big thank you to everyone who contributed in getting his story out there and the Mavericks organization who recognized his fight and gave him this cool experience.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft Lottery Mock Draft 2.0

But the biggest thanks deserves to go to Neil. Thank you for fighting everyday and being one of the most loved staff members in the Mavs organization. The players know it, the coaches know it, and the fans are getting to know it more each day.