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Eric GomezMexico writer
Blanca Burns was the referee for her first NBA game earlier in the season. It was a match between the Utah Jazz San Antonio SpursDec. 27, 2012. Before the night was over she was subject to loud complaints from Gregg Popovich (legendary Spurs coach).
Burns found that despite the potential for being frightening, he had a lot of experience dealing avec parents of middle-school athletes.
Burns stated that they are “very fierce” and don’t take any chances. “Putting myself in these intense situations at the lower levels [has helped in the NBA].”
Burns, a Mexican-born female referee, is proud to be the first to officiate an NBA basketball game. Her lifelong dream to represent Mexico at the international level is fulfilled by her desire to officiate at Olympic Games. But she believes that being a trailblazer and inspiring the next generation is her greatest legacy.
Burns’ own obsession with the game can be traced to her native Torreón, in the northern Mexico state of Coahuila. The obsession only grew after Burns’ family moved to El Paso Texas, Oklahoma, and then later, Oklahoma.
Burns stated, “I have had a basketball in me since I was little,” “I played the game at all levels in school.”
Her talents eventually led her to Mid-America Christian University, Oklahoma City. She played two NAIA seasons as a point-guard for Mid-America Christian University. In order to make ends work during college, Burns started working at the local YMCA in Oklahoma City, where she worked games featuring preschoolers. Burns worked up to four games per day for 25 dollars each, earning an extra hundred.
Burns started to move up in the ranks of referees, and her primary focus shifted from officiating to playing. Burns has been balancing NCAA commitments and regular officiating in the G League since 2018, earning her first NBA assignment.
Burns’ first few games have been a success. She has had high-profile assignments with some of the most prominent players in the league. Burns made her debut in San Antonio two nights later. She was part of the crew that called the game between the teams. Los Angeles LakersAnd the Memphis Grizzlies. Burns enjoyed the moment even though she was expected to be stoic.
“You see!” LeBron [James] Ja [Morant]Burns stated that it was a great experience to be there and to play on the court with them – something I will never forget.” “At the end of it all, you know you’re there for a job so you can control your emotions.”
Burns has as his next goal to become a regular NBA referee.
She is one of nine G League part-time officials this season. The NBA has six women listed among its 75 full-time officials for the 2021-22 season. They are Lauren Holtkamp–Sterling and Ashley Moyer–Gleich, Simone Jelks; Natalie Sago, Jenna Schroeder; Danielle Scott.
The NBA reports that 42% of G League referees (or 42%) are women. It will not surprise those who are paying attention that more women will be calling NBA games in the future.
Monty McCutchen (the NBA’s senior vice-president, head of referee training and development), said that it takes time to train officials. “So my predecessors understood this and put those seeds in to the G League. Now we are bearing the fruit of all this.”
The increased presence of female officials at NBA events is consistent with the expanding role that women play in other areas.
Burns’ first assignment in San Antonio saw Becky Hammon, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces head coaches, sitting at the front bench with Popovich. Meanwhile, Holly Rowe, an analyst for ESPN and the Jazz, called the action on television.
“I would just like to say the NBA did a great job of getting us out there. Burns stated that women will continue to be referees if that happens. “I can do as good a job a man can.”
Burns may be able to achieve her short-term goal of full-time status by using the NBA’s efforts in Mexico and Latin America. The Mexico City Capitanes was announced by the NBA during its last visit to 2019, when Adam Silver said that they would be the first G League franchise outside of the United States. In 2021, the team made its debut.
“That would have been the ideal dream. I shared the news with my Mexican family about the Capitanes’ arrival. They’re now ready to play after COVID. Burns agreed.
Burns, however, is determined to get out there and make sure the next basketball-crazed young woman can find a route to pro basketball.
Burns explained, “I try to reach out and go to summer camps to reach out and encourage girls at high school to do this,”
“I need to keep giving myself exposure so that people say “Oh my goodness, if she did it, I can do it.”