Rockets Jason Biles Named Head Athletic Trainer of the Year by National Basketball Athletic Trainers’ Association
The National Basketball Athletic Trainers’ Association (NBATA) announced that Houston Rockets Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Athlete Care and Science Jason Biles is the recipient of the 2017-18 Joe O’Toole Head Athletic Trainer of the Year award for outstanding service to the NBA, NBATA, and the community.
Biles is entering his ninth season with the Rockets following three seasons as the strength and conditioning coach for the Memphis Grizzlies. He joined the Grizzlies from Athletes’ Performance in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he served as the performance physical therapy manager.
Throughout his career, Biles has developed and implemented performance training programs for a wide range of athletes, including professionals of the NFL, MLB, PGA and ATP. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), and a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Biles received his undergraduate degree in health from the University of North Florida and furthered his education with a Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) from UNF. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from Arcadia University in 2015. Biles is also a Gray Institute Fellow of Applied Functional Science (FAFS).
The O’Toole award, which is named after the former long-time head athletic trainer of the Atlanta Hawks, is nominated and voted on by head athletic trainers from around the league. A variety of factors are considered in determining the award’s recipient, including an extraordinary act, such as saving someone’s life, receiving an award or recognition for a special achievement, working in the Olympics, induction into the NATA Hall of Fame, or volunteering for a special cause.
Rockets Promote Monte McNair to Assistant General Manager
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced that Monte McNair has been promoted to assistant general manager. McNair originally joined the Rockets as an analyst in 2007 and became Director of Basketball Operations in 2013 before transitioning to Vice President of Basketball Operations in 2015.
“Monte has been absolutely critical to the success of the Rockets over his long tenure,” said Morey. “His unique combination of analytical skills and ability to work with our coaching staff was a key driver in our record breaking season last year.”
In addition to managing the analytic efforts of the Rockets basketball operations department, McNair is involved with all avenues of player evaluation, including trade, free agency, and the draft. Over the past four seasons, McNair has worked closely with the coaching staff to provide on-court strategy and analysis along with opponent preparation.
A native of Oak Park, Calif. outside of Los Angeles, McNair played football at Princeton University, where he majored in computer science. Prior to joining the Rockets, McNair worked as a researcher at STATS LLC.