NY – Simone Jelks she was one of three umpires promoted to the full-time category by the NBA on Wednesday, making her the fifth woman in the current umpire lineup.
Jelks joins the NBA team of referees that also includes Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder. Jelks becomes the seventh full-time female umpire in NBA history, with the current five preceded by Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer.
Jelks worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff member last season. The former USC player has also worked matches in the G League for the past three seasons.
Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy were also promoted full time on Wednesday. They have a combined 11 years of G League experience and each worked 13 NBA games in non-staff roles last season.
“We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff,” said Monty McCutchen, NBA senior vice president who oversees umpire development and training. “They have demonstrated through growth and the quality of their performance that they ensure that NBA games work regularly.”
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