NBA Dancer Requirements: What It Really Takes to Make an NBA Dance Team
“Making an NBA dance team isn’t just about talent - it’s about preparation, polish, and understanding what teams are actually looking for.”
Making an NBA Dance Team: Essential Tips for Success
“Making an NBA dance team isn’t just about talent - it’s about preparation, polish, and understanding what teams are actually looking for.”
I’ll be honest with you from a 4-year NBA dancer's perspective.
Becoming an NBA dancer is not just about talent. It is about preparation, polish, and understanding what NBA dance teams are actually looking for. The NBA dancer audition process is competitive, fast-paced, and demanding. Dancers who succeed usually come in prepared on multiple levels.
If you’re serious about how to become an NBA dancer, here’s what you need to know from the pros themselves:
Looking to audition for a team? Make sure to read out article on what to bring to auditions and all of your audition-day essentials.
1. Build a Strong Dance Foundation
At a minimum, NBA dance teams expect strong, versatile dance skills. This usually means training in jazz, hip-hop, and ballet, with the ability to adapt quickly to different styles, theme nights, and choreography demands.
What teams look for:
Clean technique
Quick pick-up speed
Strong performance quality
Power, control, and precision
Ability to blend in formations while still performing
In addition to dance style, NBA dancers are expected to maintain excellent physical fitness. Conditioning, stamina, flexibility, and strength all matter — not just how you dance, but how consistently you can perform.
2. Train for the Physical Demands
NBA dancers train their bodies like athletes. The physical demands include:
Long rehearsals
Game nights with multiple performances
Back-to-back practices and community appearances
Consistent workouts, flexibility training, and healthy eating all support longevity. Many dancers underestimate how much conditioning and recovery play a role in auditions and season performance.
3. Research Your Target NBA Dance Team
Every NBA dance team has a distinct style, brand, and look. Before auditioning, spend time researching:
Social media content
Past performances (YouTube, Instagram)
Uniform style and presentation
The overall energy of the team
Know the Organization: Research the team's players, coach, and city to prepare for interviews and community appearances. Understanding not only the dance team but the sport’s organization identity helps you tailor your performance and presentation. This also prepares you for interviews and community appearances, which are often part of the audition process.
4. Prepare for NBA Dance Team Auditions
The NBA dancer audition process typically involves multiple rounds:
Learning choreography quickly
Performing in groups and smaller cuts
Panel interviews
Preparation goes beyond choreography. Your overall look matters. A polished, confident appearance - hair, makeup, and outfit - shows professionalism and effort. You want to align with the team’s aesthetic while still standing out appropriately.
One of the best ways to prepare for each individual dance team? Attending NBA dance team clinics and workshops is one of the best ways to prepare for auditions. Clinics allow you to learn the team’s style, meet choreographers and staff, understand expectations, and build connections. Make new friends! Having people you are comfortable around will make all the difference.
5. Nail the Audition
Once you are in the audition room, details matter.
Strong audition habits include:
Showing confidence without arrogance
Standing toward the front when possible
Picking up choreography quickly
Performing full-out every round
Being kind, professional, and coachable
Always arrive early, follow directions, and bring headshots and a resume, even if they aren’t explicitly requested. Professionalism is noticed.
6. Understand the Commitment
Many dancers are surprised to learn that being an NBA dancer is not a full-time job. Most teams require:
Game nights
Weekly practices
Community appearances
This can range from 9–20 hours per week, depending on the team and season. Balancing work, school, or other commitments is part of the reality.
Final Thoughts
Meeting NBA dancer requirements means more than just dancing well. It’s about consistency, preparation, and understanding the professional environment you’re stepping into.
Talent gets you noticed, but effort, polish, and professionalism keep you competitive.
If you’re serious about auditioning, treat the process like a job application, not just a dance class.
Auditioning for a pro dance or pro cheer team this audition season? Checkout our articles below to make sure you are walking into dance auditions, 110% prepared:
Best of luck in your audition journey. We are rooting for you!