Jenna Reneau first hit the boards as a basketball player in third grade. Love of the game and many years of dogged determination brought her to Atlanta, GA where Karen and I watched her Officiate the NBA game between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, Saturday night, 11/27/2021.
The NBA uses three officials on the floor. The lead official is called the crew chief and works with one referee and one umpire. All three officials are often referred to as referees.
Because play is fast, the rules are complex and instant decisions must be made, basketball is one of the most difficult sports to officiate.
Interpretation of the rules for specific plays often requires explaining calls to players and coaches.
Jenna currently officiates in Men’s College, G-League and NBA basketball games. The rules vary in each league making her job even tougher.
Players don’t always agree with calls. Referees must have patience and poise to maintain their professional posture.
How far do referees run during a game? The stats vary wildly depending on the speed and type of play, but a referee can expect to race up and down the court 3 to 6 miles per game.
During a high school officials’ camp Jenna attended in 2015, a NBA scout offered her a chance. From a world-wide pool of 3,000 referees the NBA was watching, she worked her way up to the top 30 selected to attend the NBA’s elite training sessions.
As of October 7, 2021, there were only five full-time female NBA officials, making Jenna’s accomplishment to referee at this level even more astonishing.
With an exemplary work ethic, Jenna maintains an insane game schedule. It was a treat to watch her work. Her friends and family are extremely proud of her achievements and know she’ll continue to excel at her craft.