Curtis Blair, a seasoned NBA referee, has achieved a significant milestone in his career by being selected to officiate the NBA Finals for the first time. Blair, who has been a part of the NBA officiating team for 18 years, received the much-anticipated news after a weekend of anxious waiting.
Blair, originally from Virginia, was driving home from a visit to his parents when he discovered he had missed a call from Albert Sanders Jr., the executive vice president and head of referee operations for the NBA. Upon returning the call, Blair learned that he would be among the 12 referees chosen to officiate the Finals, which will feature the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks.
“It was a very emotional moment for me,” Blair shared. “I’ve been on the doorstep for many years, and this is a significant achievement in my journey.” Blair’s path to this point has been marked by perseverance and dedication, having officiated over 1,000 NBA games since 2008.
Recognition and Achievement
The NBA Finals are considered the pinnacle for referees, and Blair is the only first-time selection in this year’s group. The league announced the full list of referees, which includes veterans like Scott Foster, who is officiating his 19th Finals, and others such as Tony Brothers and Marc Davis.
Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president for league operations, praised the selected referees for their dedication and excellence. “Being selected to work the NBA Finals is the highest honor for an NBA official,” Spruell stated.
Blair’s journey in basketball began as a second-round pick by the Houston Rockets in 1992, although he never played a regular-season game in the league. He later played internationally before transitioning to a referee career.
As a part of the tradition, Finals referees receive special white warm-up jackets, a symbol of their achievement. Blair, who had previously been an alternate in 2021 and 2022, expressed his excitement about receiving a jacket without an asterisk this time.
Blair’s story is one of patience and persistence, embodying the values of dedication and hard work. His selection to the NBA Finals is a testament to his commitment to the sport and his craft.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
