Cameron Tabatabaie, a social studies teacher at Lexington High School, covers the National Basketball Association (NBA) for USA Today’s Celtics Wire and hosts the Celtics Lab Podcast.
Tabatabaie’s venture into sports journalism was a spontaneous decision. He studied environmental policy, but began pursuing sports writing as a hobby after seeing that the website Celtics Hub needed extra writers. Despite his non-traditional background, Tabatabaie has embraced his role as a reporter, where his day-to-day responsibilities are flexible.
“It can be as little as checking my phone and seeing if anyone needs help with anything, [or can be] as much as going to games, going to press conferences, getting quotes, [and] writing about the game,” Tabatabaie said.
Social media is a useful tool for Tabatabaie, especially when it comes to obtaining information about the Celtics and the NBA. He often posts on X under the handle @CTabatabaie. Beyond social media, Tabatabaie believes that success in the competitive world of sports reporting requires journalists to maximize their opportunities with whatever platform they are given.
“The business also changes a lot, so you always have to keep up with it. Also, because so many people want to do it and are trying to do it, you have to be really good at it,” Tabatabaie said.
Tabatabaie acknowledged that balancing reporting and teaching is no easy task but emphasized that teaching is his priority.
“I just have to set boundaries for myself…There are games that I don’t go to because I have to grade. There are also nights where I have to go home from the Celtics early… I’m in a lucky position to be able to do both things,” Tabatabaie said.
Tabatabaie believes sports journalism and teaching complement each other well.
“I think reporting is similar to teaching: sharing information, seeing how it registers with other people, sometimes having a dialogue,” he said.
For the 2023-2024 NBA season, Tabatabaie is excited to continue reporting and hopes to expand his podcast in time for the playoffs. Regarding the Celtics’ championship title hopes this season, Tabatabaie is optimistic.
“There’s no reason the Celtics shouldn’t win the title. They simply have the best team,” Tabatabaie said.
