Detroit native Jermaine Jackson played for more than 20 pro basketball teams internationally before he started coaching. He eventually landed the head job at SPIRE Institute in Ohio, where he helped groom LaMelo Ball into one of the top high school players in the country.

For our "Role Players" series, we caught up with Jermaine back in the Motor City to discover his roots, follow his global hoops odyssey, and see how he’s had an impact on the Charlotte Hornets’ Rookie of the Month as his manager and trainer.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY
Now, you can be Jermaine’s remote intern for three months to help him with his work as LaMelo’s manager and learn about the NBA business! To enter, e-mail jermaine@closeup360.com with your @ social handle, and a short video (2 minutes or less) or written essay (minimum 250 words) about what inspired you about Jermaine’s story from the video, why you believe you’re the best fit for the opportunity, how you can help him as his intern and what you hope to learn from your experience.

You need to be at least 16 years old to enter. The submission period runs from February 5, 2021 to February 28, 2021. The winner will receive a Puma gear package, with the announcement to follow the week of March 8, 2021.