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Basketball Analytics
Podcast Episode #2 – Maezelle Millan – Chicago Bulls
Episode 2: Career Journey and Basketball Analytics Insights with Maezelle Millan – Senior Data Analyst at the Chicago Bulls
Hosted by: Amrit Vignesh
In our second episode of the Sport Analytics Podcast, host Amrit Vignesh sits down with Maezelle Millan, Senior Data Analyst at the Chicago Bulls. Maezelle takes us through her inspiring journey from collegiate basketball player at Claremont McKenna College to a thriving career in professional sports analytics. She highlights how her background as a point guard shaped her problem-solving mindset, shares the challenges she faced transitioning from a consulting role at Semler Brossy to the fast-paced world of NBA business analytics, and dives deep into her day-to-day workflow with SQL, Tableau, and CRM systems.
Throughout the conversation, Maezelle explains how she collaborates with VPs and Directors in corporate partnerships, offering data-driven insights that help shape high-level decision-making. She also reveals her favorite projects—including the development of a new in-house data warehouse—and provides invaluable advice on breaking into the sports analytics field, building a standout portfolio, and sharpening both technical and soft skills. On top of that, Maezelle discusses her involvement in Women in Sports and Events (WISE) and how she’s leveraged leadership lessons from her time as a student athlete to excel in her current role.
Whether you’re aiming for a career in the NBA, passionate about data analytics, or simply curious about the intersection of sports and technology, this episode is packed with practical tips, industry insights, and inspiration. Don’t miss it!
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📧 For inquiries or collaborations, contact Dave Yount at dave@sportanalytics.com.
Watch the Episode
Listen on Your Favorite Platform
Topics Covered
- Maezelle’s journey from collegiate athlete to Senior Data Analyst at the Chicago Bulls
- Transitioning from consulting to pro sports analytics
- Day-to-day responsibilities and collaboration with corporate partners
- Key tools and technologies (SQL, Tableau, Snowflake, DBT, CRM)
- Advice for aspiring analysts and portfolio development tips
- Leadership insights from basketball and involvement with WISE
Relevant Hashtags
#SportsAnalytics #NBAAnalytics #ChicagoBulls #BasketballAnalytics #SQL #Tableau #DataVisualization #SportsTech #BusinessAnalytics #CorporatePartnerships #DataWarehouse #WomenInSports #WISE #CareerAdvice #ConsultingToSports #LeadershipSkills #AnalyticsCareers #CRM #SportsMarketing #DataScienceInSports #ProfessionalDevelopment #SportsBusiness
Full Transcript
Amrit (Host): Welcome to the second episode of the Sport Analytics Podcast. Today we’re joined by Maezelle Millan, Senior Data Analyst at the Chicago Bulls. Maezelle, how are you?
Maezelle: I’m doing well, thanks for having me.
Amrit (Host): You’ve had a fascinating journey from being a college basketball player at Claremont McKenna College to your current role as Senior Data Analyst for the Chicago Bulls. Could you walk us through your career progression and how your experiences as a college athlete influenced your professional path?
Maezelle: Sure. At Claremont McKenna, I played basketball all four years. The school is career-focused and academically rigorous, so after college I knew I wanted to pursue a business-related field. I majored in economics and went into management consulting, which is quite different from basketball. Still, I used my point guard mindset—surveying the court and solving problems—to approach consulting projects. After about a year, I realized I wanted to do something that I was truly passionate about, and sports had always been huge for me. I applied for a Data Analyst role at the Chicago Bulls, made the transition, and now I’m here as a Senior Data Analyst.
Amrit (Host): You started as a Data Analyst at the Bulls and were promoted to Senior Data Analyst. How did your responsibilities evolve, and what skills or strategies helped you earn that promotion?
Maezelle: The main tasks as a Data Analyst and Senior Data Analyst are similar, but there’s a lot more responsibility now. I manage projects from start to finish and act as the primary point of contact for our corporate partnerships stakeholders, handling timelines, deadlines, and overall quality. I also lead biweekly meetings instead of just attending them. Strong project management, building stakeholder trust, and delivering top-quality insights made the biggest difference.
Amrit (Host): Before the Bulls, you worked in consulting at Semler Brossy. What challenges did you face transitioning from consulting to professional sports analytics, and how did you adapt?
Maezelle: Sports organizations can be surprisingly small. In consulting, I had formal training and ample resources. Here, analytics teams are typically small, so you end up wearing multiple hats. I learned SQL and Tableau on the job with some initial guidance, but mainly by teaching myself and asking coworkers. I also had to quickly understand corporate partnerships, ticketing, and media. It was a steep learning curve, but very rewarding.
Amrit (Host): Could you describe a typical day as a Senior Data Analyst at the Bulls?
Maezelle: It changes daily, but a large part is collaborating with corporate partnerships to pinpoint their needs. One ongoing project is tracking every asset and event for each partner throughout the season. Some days I’m training reps on data entry in our CRM. Other days I’m building visualizations in Tableau or presenting insights to leadership. In a small organization, you really do it all—from the front end to the back end.
Amrit (Host): You work closely with VPs and Directors in corporate partnerships. Could you share how your insights have shaped high-level decision-making?
Maezelle: Early on, I reworked the performance metrics for our partnership sales team. I gathered historical CRM data—touchpoints, outcomes, and time allocation—built a model, and recommended specific metrics for each rep. We adopted those metrics and implemented a live report that updates regularly, which helped leadership see the power of data-driven decisions.
Amrit (Host): Which tools and programming languages do you rely on most, and are there any emerging technologies you find exciting?
Maezelle: SQL for querying data, Tableau for visualization. We’re also building an in-house data warehouse using Snowflake, DBT, Fivetran, and GitHub, which is pretty innovative because not all NBA teams have their own comprehensive data solution.
Amrit (Host): Is there a project you consider especially innovative or impactful?
Maezelle: The data warehouse is huge, but I’m also proud of our new asset delivery tracking system for corporate partnerships. It streamlines the reps’ workflow and generates dashboards for stakeholders. On a personal note, tracking community relations efforts is really rewarding—seeing the Bulls’ impact on the community is great motivation.
Amrit (Host): What advice would you give aspiring analysts who want to enter the NBA or other sports organizations, particularly in business analytics?
Maezelle: Master SQL (or a similar language) and at least one visualization tool. At the same time, hone your communication and people skills because you’ll frequently translate technical insights for non-technical stakeholders. Being resourceful is also key—sports organizations often have lean teams, so you might wear multiple hats.
Amrit (Host): When hiring analysts, what do you look for in terms of portfolio projects or skills?
Maezelle: We value creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate results clearly. Candidates may get a test project to see how they approach a business challenge with data and how effectively they communicate their findings. Clear, concise explanations can really stand out.
Amrit (Host): For those just starting, should they prioritize technical expertise or business knowledge first?
Maezelle: Definitely build your technical foundation—querying data, building dashboards—alongside strong communication skills. Specific business knowledge (ticketing, marketing, etc.) can be learned once you’re on the job. Technical versatility and the ability to convey insights apply across any department.
Amrit (Host): Our platform focuses on educating and certifying aspiring analysts. Which skills or topics should we add if we expand into business analytics?
Maezelle: SQL and visualization are must-haves. A CRM overview can also help, given how central tools like Salesforce or Microsoft Dynamics can be. Include real-world case studies from ticketing, partnerships, and marketing so learners see analytics in action.
Amrit (Host): You’re involved in Women in Sports and Events (WISE). How has that shaped your career?
Maezelle: WISE has shown me the range of possibilities in sports and events—everything from brand marketing to biotech startups. I’m also part of the Women’s Elevation group at the Bulls, which focuses on professional development and community for women. It’s been amazing to help other women grow and learn from one another.
Amrit (Host): Which leadership lessons have you carried from your college athlete days to your current role?
Maezelle: Ownership and relationship-building. In sports, you don’t wait for a coach to tell you what to work on; you pursue improvement. In my role, I anticipate stakeholder needs and try to exceed expectations. Collaboration is also vital, because even though we focus on data, it’s always a team effort.
Amrit (Host): Where do you see business analytics in sports going in the next few years?
Maezelle: Teams are adopting analytics from the start of their decision processes now, rather than as an afterthought. We’re seeing more in-house data systems for greater control and customization. Overall, a data-driven culture is growing, and it’s exciting to see how it shapes the sports industry.
Amrit (Host): Any final words of wisdom for aspiring analysts, or advice for us as we continue developing this podcast and platform?
Maezelle: Keep producing content that helps people learn—this podcast is a great example. For aspiring analysts, find a topic you’re genuinely passionate about. That enthusiasm will push you to solve problems, build projects, and share what you learn. Nothing beats hands-on practice, even on small-scale projects.
Amrit (Host): Thanks so much for joining us, Maezelle. This was a fantastic discussion.
Maezelle: Thank you! I really enjoyed it. Feel free to reach out if there’s anything else I can help with.
Music Credit: Intro and outro music for this episode is “Nomu” by Good Kid.