LA Lakers Athletic Trainers

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Performance & Sports Medicine Staff

Crypto Arena · Los Angeles, CA

Vanessa Brooks

Head Athletic Trainer / Senior Physical Therapist

🎓 Education: University of Georgia (B.S., A.T.C.); Emory University (D.P.T.); Duke University; Wake Forest University
📍Hometown: Miramar, Florida
🏀 NBATA Member Since: 2020

ABOUT VANESSA

Dr. Brooks joined the Purple and Gold in 2024 after serving as a physical therapist and athletic trainer for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2019-2024. Dr. Brooks executed plans of care to maximize player performance and recovery, becoming the first Black woman to be a dual certified athletic trainer and physical therapist in the NBA. As a member of the NBA Emergency Preparedness Committee, she helps craft the cardiac, neck and spine protocols for the league. Dr. Brooks served as a Sports Physical Therapy Fellow at Wake Forest from 2018-2019 while practicing at Wake Forest Baptist Health.

The Miramar, Fla., native double majored in Athletic Training as well as Exercise and Sports Science at the University of Georgia from 2009-2013.
She earned her clinical doctorate in Physical Therapy from Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Brooks went on to become a nationally-registered emergency medical technician (EMT) after attending the Atlanta Medical Academy. She completed her Sports Residency for Physical Therapy at Duke University. Additionally, Dr. Brooks completed emergency medical technician recertification with Allied Medical Training and underwent a fellowship at the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy.

Dr. Brooks reports to Director of Player Performance Dr. Leroy Sims.

Octavio Marquez Montoya

Assistant Athletic Trainer

🎓 Education: California State University Northridge (B.S.); California Baptist University (M.S.)
📍Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
🏀 NBATA Member Since: 2019

ABOUT OCTAVIO

Octavio Marquez Montoya joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019/2020 season as an Assistant Athletic Trainer. He initially began as an Associate Athletic Training Intern for the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2018/2019 season.

Prior to this he has previously worked as an Athletic Trainer for West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation in Manhattan Beach, CA, overseeing Athletic Training services to high school athletes and mentoring sports medicine interns. In addition, he has also provided medical coverage to Junipero Serra High School working Football, M/W Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, and Soccer. Octavio has worked as an Industrial Athletic Trainer for FedEx at LAX Airport through Vibrant Care Rehabilitation, facilitating injury prevention strategies for employees.

Octavio obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training from California State University Northridge in 2017. He then completed his Master’s in Kinesiology-Exercise Science at California Baptist University in 2020. Additionally, holds Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certifications through NASM.

Shane Besedick

Assistant Athletic Trainer

🎓 Education: Cal State Long Beach (B.S.);California University of
Pennsylvania, (M.S.)
📍Hometown: La Crescenta, CA
🏀 NBATA Member Since: 2021

ABOUT SHANE

Shane Besedick joined the Los Angeles Lakers staff at the start of the 2021-2022 season.

Before his move to the Lakers, Shane spent seven seasons as the athletic trainer for UCLA Men’s Basketball team from 2014-2021. He was able to experience two Sweet 16s and a Final Four appearance. Shane also worked with the men’s tennis, women’s beach volleyball, and track & field teams during his time there.

Prior to UCLA, Besedick spent three years at Pepperdine University as assistant athletic trainer and two years at UC Berkeley as a graduate intern – where he was a part of the 2010-2011 College World Series team.

Shane received his bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Long Beach State and a master’s degree in Performance Enhancement & Health Promotion from the now, PennWest California University.

The Crescenta Valley native currently lives in Santa Monica with his wife, Korina, and their daughter Keaton.

Bria Adams

Assistant Athletic Trainer

🎓 Education: San Diego State University(B.S.); Texas State University(M.S.)
📍Hometown: Lancaster, CA
🏀 NBATA Member Since: 2025

ABOUT BRIA

Bria Adams joined the Lakers staff as Assistant Athletic Trainer after serving two seasons as the Head Athletic Trainer for the South Bay Lakers, the G league affiliate team of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Prior to joining the Lakers, Adams spent 3 seasons with the WNBA Chicago Sky as Head Athletic Trainer and was part of the organization’s first ever WNBA Championship in 2021. Prior to joining the Chicago Sky, Adams served as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for Florida State’s Women’s basketball team. Her resume also includes working as an Assistant Athletic Trainer for South Carolina’s Women’s basketball and Tennis teams. Prior to her time at South Carolina State, Adams was a rehabilitation specialist and graduate assistant at Texas State where she assisted with the football and women’s basketball teams.

She is a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine-Corrective Exercise Specialist. Adams is also a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at San Diego State in May 2016 and graduated from Texas State with her Master of Science in Athletic Training in May 2018.