Dermonte Bond, a Lexington native, chose UK because the location allowed him to stay close to his family while also attending one of the top universities in the country. His time in the College of Communication and Information ensured he gained opportunities he would never have thought possible.
"The most valuable thing I learned in CI was that it isn't about what you know. It is about who you know," Bond said. "I knew the College of Communication and Information would provide me with the necessary skills and knowledge to make my dream a reality."
Currently, Bond leverages the expertise and network he created during his time in CI in his current role as the communications liaison for the National Basketball Association, focused primarily on the G League Ignite. The G League Ignite is a team dedicated to developing top prospects in preparation for the NBA draft.
"My favorite thing about my job is being able to do something I am passionate about every day and helping the future generation of NBA stars share their individual stories," Bond said.
After a hiring freeze in the sports industry due to COVID-19, Bond took a ticket services and technology internship with the Tampa Bay Rays. Following that, he landed a 12-month communications fellowship with the Pac-12 Conference. Within nine months, he received a promotion to full-time strategic sports communications coordinator. Shortly afterward, he was hired for his current role.
Bond explained how his connections, networking and risk-taking in the sports communication industry have allowed him to discover new opportunities, and he encouraged others to do the same.
“Never miss an opportunity to network with individuals in similar roles or career paths that you aspire to be in” Bond stated. "Never be afraid to take chances, whether it's in your career or life.”