The Rapid Rise of NBA Insider Jake Fischer

A Devastating Setback

During this time, Fischer sustained a stress fracture in his back from overexertion, which sidelined him for a month. He claims the injury also stunted his growth — he stands at six feet tall in his 30s. 

“In elementary School, I looked like Yao Ming compared to everybody else,” Fischer said. “I was supposed to be 6-foot-5. I broke my back in the 8th grade. I don’t know how tall I would’ve actually been, but my little brother is like 6-foot-2.” 

Watching his teammates from the sideline was more painful, even if for a short while, but it helped Fischer sharpen his attention to detail for the game. While sitting on the bench with his travel team one afternoon, he watched as his team gradually gave up a 20-point lead, ultimately losing the game.

As his teammates returned to the bench, Fischer began trying to coach each of them, revealing a new level of passion for the game. Some time passed, and he was back to full health with high school on the horizon. Now with an even sharper focus on the game, he was prepared to chase a Division-1 scholarship. 

Two Dreams, The Same Destination

Jake started on the freshman and junior varsity teams for Cherry Hill High School East. His game had risen to an even greater level, and his best performance came against the neighboring Voorhees High School. 

One afternoon, while playing the Vikings, Fischer exploded for 40 points during the freshman game. His performance contributed to a blowout win.

Fischer later checked into the JV game and continued scoring at a ridiculous clip. Nonetheless, the Vikings managed to keep the game close and remained tight as the fourth quarter approached. 

Jake wasn’t fazed by the moment, instead rising to the occasion by hitting a game-tying shot to send it to overtime. He would end up making the game-winning shot in the clutch, sending the fans into a frenzy and giving his teammates an unforgettable memory. 

It was one of many good performances in Fischer’s high school career, but when junior year arrived, writing about the game became his serious interest. He started writing for the prestigious C.H.H.S. newspaper and decided to pursue Journalism as a career after graduating from high school.

Perfecting the Craft

Fischer attended Northeastern University in Boston. From 2012 to 2016, he studied journalism and wrote for prominent news outlets while taking classes. During his four-year course, he wrote for The Huffington Post, SLAM, The Boston Globe, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. 

Sports Illustrated hired him as an associate producer after he graduated in 2016, and it was there that he refined his skills. He quickly gained popularity for his unique story angles.

In December of 2018, he was in Dallas, Texas, covering the Mavericks. Fischer managed to secure a one-on-one interview with Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, who suffered an ankle injury in September of that year.

He published a well-written article covering the situation. NBA media legend Marc Stein was one of many readers, and he reached out to the young Fischer to commend his talents.

Meeting A Legend 

Fischer and Stein’s paths crossed one evening in a parking garage after a Mavericks game, and when asked about the encounter, Fischer replied:

“We were both leaving, and I was going with Tim Cato, who works with him [Marc] at DLLS, and we were going to Tim’s car,” Fischer said. “I remember Marc knowing who I am and what I did, and it felt awesome. It felt like I was being welcomed into this society I wanted to be in for a long time.” 

The two continued to correspond over the following year, developing a genuine connection through their shared love of storytelling. By 2019, Fischer had become one of the most prominent young writers on the internet and was eventually hired by Bleacher Report as a freelance writer. 

In January of 2021, Bleacher Report made Fischer their NBA Rumor Reporter. His ability to tell breaking stories with his intel made him a reputable source of basketball news across social media. 

Stein was very impressed by his growth, from their meeting in 2018 to seeing him rise as an NBA Insider in just three years. Fischer’s work ethic convinced Stein to hire Jake as a contributor to his world-renowned Substack. 

Fischer expressed immense gratitude to Stein when asked about their relationship, now that they work together.

“We naturally connected, and it’s just been really nice to have an ally, let alone now a business partner and a really close friend who has been doing it forever and can compare and contrast and tell you how it used to be and talk about how it is now.” 

Chasing A Bigger Purpose

Throughout 2021, Fischer continued to rise, writing story after story and announcing trade after trade. By 2022, Yahoo Sports hired him as their Senior NBA Reporter, and he held the position until 2024.

Fischer was doing the same work, but on a larger stage and in a more significant role. When speaking on his emotions at the time of the hiring, Fischer credited his upbringing for his success.

“When Yahoo hired me to be the Senior NBA Reporter, that’s one of the biggest jobs in basketball media, I was only 28 years old,” Fischer said. “So, I really can’t say that I faced a ton of adversity. I’ve been very fortunate in my life, and that includes my background. I had really good teachers growing up.” 

His teachers imparted world-class writing techniques that were crucial to his success, but more importantly, they demonstrated to Fischer what it truly means to be a journalist. 

“My book is dedicated to my elementary school teacher, Mrs. Crawford, who I had in 3rd and 4th grade, who really taught me how to write, and Mr. Gagliardi, who was my journalism advisor in high school.” 

Fischer’s book “Built To Lose” achieved critical acclaim in 2019, and he has expressed a desire to release another book in the future.

At the end of the interview, I asked Jake if there were any personal goals he had yet to achieve, and why those goals are important to him. 

“I’ve been working on my ‘first novel’,” Fischer said making air quotes with his hands, “for five years; that’s really the next thing I have set out to want to do, until I complete that and feel like it’s good, that will be hanging over me.”

“It’s something I just feel compelled to do, feel like I can do, and also because I want to be able to tell this particular story, but many other fictional stories that will impact people far more than reporting on a trade.” 

Now, in 2025, Fischer has established himself as a world-class sports journalist working for Bleacher Report, but his potential as an author is limitless. As long as he keeps writing, the entire world will witness the rise of Jake Fischer.