Video Scout for the Philadelphia 76ers
Dreams in Motion
When Adam Spinella ’10 was growing up, working in an NBA Front Office was always a pipe dream and never the actual career plan. After graduating, he devoted nearly a decade to teaching and coaching at the high school and college levels. His passion for coaching was sparked by Derryfield varsity basketball coach Ed Meade. “I still remember late-night chats with Coach Meade in the Derryfield parking lot about coaching tactics and the plays we ran, and he deserves a lot of credit for igniting my passion and curiosity to learn the game in a way that has opened doors to my current career,” he recalls. Spinella also credits Coach Meade for instilling in him the importance of service and giving back to others.
His experience as a manager for his college basketball team further developed his basketball IQ, but it was a side project that truly altered his trajectory. During the pandemic, he created and launched his own scouting service called The Box and One, initially as a means to supplement his income while earning his master’s degree at Georgetown University. “That scouting service started as a COVID project to make
a few extra bucks, and ultimately led to getting an offer to be a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers,”
he explains.
Spinella describes his job as both rewarding and demanding. A typical day involves evaluating up to five basketball games, compiling reports, and preparing for extensive meetings leading up to the NBA Draft. “I’m on the road up to 90 nights a year, traveling the country and sometimes internationally to evaluate potential professional basketball players,” he shares. This commitment is a testament to the dedication required in the fast-paced sports industry.
He emphasizes the value of hard work and adaptability, particularly for current high school athletes aspiring to enter the field. “The best way to learn is by doing. I got into an NBA front office by running my own scouting service, and publishing it online, so I’d encourage students to embrace creating their own pathway, even if it hasn’t been traveled before,” he advises.
As for his future goals, Spinella aspires to contribute to a championship team and hopes to
one day become a general manager. “I’m living out my childhood dream, and I trust that the next opportunity will come when the time is right,” he reflects.
For current students, he believes that some of the most invaluable life lessons are often learned through sports. “Being part of a team teaches hard work, teamwork, and resilience—traits that serve you well beyond the field,” he states. Spinella’s journey illustrates that with persistence, ingenuity, and a positive mindset, anything is possible.
