Suyash Mehta becomes the 1st Indian origin full time NBA referee

Suyash Mehta becomes the 1st Indian origin full time NBA referee
Suyash Mehta

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has got its first full-time referee in Suyash Mehta. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Mehta has been included in the roster for the 2020-21 season. In an official announcement made by the league Suyash Mehta was named alongside Andy Nagy and Simone Jelks.  

Mehta has officiated in the NBA G League in 5 seasons. During the previous season, Mehta officiated 13 games but as a non-staff official. Talking about Simone Jelks, she is the 5th female official of this season. She joins Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder as full-time female officials for the 2020-21 season. 

NBA gets its first Indian Origin Full-Time referee 

“We are pleased to welcome Simone (Jelks), Suyash and Andy (Nagy) to our full-time staff,” said Monty McCutchen, NBA Senior Vice President, Head of Referee Development and Training in a statement. 

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“They have demonstrated through the growth and the quality of their performance, they warrant working NBA games on a regular basis,” McCutchen added. 

Mehta’s parents moved to the US from India in 1980 and he currently stays in Baltimore, Maryland. He has officiated in numerous collegiate conferences, including the Atlantic 10, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association and Conference USA. He also has NCAA Division III and junior college officiating experience. 

Talking about the last referee mentioned, Andy Nagy. He has officiating experience also includes nine years of collegiate experience, refereeing Division I men’s and women’s games in the Atlantic 10, Atlantic Sun, Horizon League and Mid-American Conference. Nagy unofficially began his officiating career at 14. When his father allowed him to referee a Youth CYO Christmas Tournament game. 

As the season has already begun. There are numerous protocols which have been implemented by the authorities, keeping a check the players and the referee along with the staff amid this pandemic.  

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