19-Year-Old NBA Intern Proves Passion Pays Off With Grit and LinkedIn Gains

Daniel Sung, a 19-year-old Vanderbilt University student, has become one of the youngest interns in NBA history after a year of unpaid work washing laundry and mopping floors for his college basketball team to prove his passion for the sports industry. Despite facing ridicule from peers who mocked him as “mop boy,” Sung's relentless dedication ultimately led to an internship with the LA Clippers [1].

Sung, a first-generation immigrant from South Korea, grew up in a family that ran a 7-Eleven and later a Mexican restaurant in San Bernardino. With no personal connections in the sports industry, he understood early on that success would require hustle and innovation. His year as a team manager involved long hours of labor, including washing the jerseys and socks of 6-foot-8 athletes and assisting during games [1].

NBA internships are typically awarded to juniors or seniors around 20 to 22 years old. This year, the league received over 19,000 applications for its Summer Internship program. Sung's unique experience and unwavering commitment set him apart, with an interviewer noting that his story was “unbeatable” [1].

The internship with the Clippers has already yielded tangible results. Sung began posting updates on LinkedIn, which generated thousands of followers and led to multiple job offers. He is currently working with two startups—one in AI-focused job applications and one managing LinkedIn profiles for large companies. Later this year, he will take on a marketing role with Red Bull in Nashville while continuing his studies [1].

Sung advises fellow Gen Zers to align every experience with their ultimate career goals, regardless of how small or unglamorous the tasks may seem. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear “why” to guide decision-making and persistence in gaining exposure to industry professionals. Being in an environment surrounded by those who have already succeeded, he says, provides invaluable opportunities for mentorship and insight [1].

Sung’s journey underscores a broader trend in today’s competitive job market—where passion, creativity, and visibility are just as important as formal qualifications. His story also highlights the power of personal branding through platforms like LinkedIn, which have allowed him to expand his influence and open doors previously thought unreachable.

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[1] This Gen Zer washed his college basketball team’s dirty clothes to prove his passion—now he’s one of the youngest interns ever at the NBA, https://fortune.com/2025/08/21/this-gen-zer-washed-his-college-basketball-teams-dirty-clothes-to-prove-his-passion-now-hes-one-of-the-youngest-interns-ever-at-the-nba/