Ashley Moyer-Gleich, a trailblazing NBA referee, received the surprise of a lifetime just before heading to the airport for what she thought would be her final game of the season. The news that she had been selected to officiate in the playoffs came as a shock to her, making her only the second woman in NBA history to receive such an honor.
Moyer-Gleich, a former Division II player at Millersville University, has worked tirelessly to reach this milestone in her career. Promoted to the full-time NBA officiating ranks in 2018, she has officiated over 200 regular-season games in her six seasons. This year, she joins two other first-time playoff selections, Marat Kogut and J.T. Orr, in the prestigious lineup of referees for Round 1 of the playoffs.
The NBA President of League Operations, Byron Spruell, congratulated Moyer-Gleich and the other 35 officials selected for the playoffs, praising their professionalism, dedication, and teamwork. The league will continue to trim the officiating roster for each round, with the ultimate goal of selecting a 12-person team for the NBA Finals.
While Moyer-Gleich may not have reached the pinnacle of officiating just yet, she remains focused on her aspirations and goals for the future. She hopes to continue increasing her responsibilities on the floor, eventually becoming a crew chief and officiating in the NBA Finals. Breaking barriers as a female referee in a male-dominated sport, Moyer-Gleich’s journey is a testament to her perseverance and dedication to her craft.