That determination has turned her career path into a rocketship ride. Just 28 years old, she was named the General Manager of the Capital City Go Go, the developmental league affiliate of the Washington Wizards. She's just the second woman to ever hold that position in the league.
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"I'm OK with inspiring this next wave of young girls, because I was inspired," Nichols said. "I have a lot of female mentors that inspired me to get here, and I think this new trend of women and black women in leadership is just, it's the right time."
Nichols has an infectious positivity, just one of many reasons her post-playing career has taken off.
"I think it's my character and my personality," Nichols said. "I love to get along with people of all walks of life, and I'm a student of the game, so I love learning from people."
Nichols impressed from the minute she was brought on board as an intern by Washington, the only woman by the way. It's her work ethic and Raleigh-born grit she'll rely on in her new job.
"It definitely gave me a very tough-minded mentality and a mentality that helps me overcome any type of adversity I've ever faced, and that's what Raleigh means to me," Nichols said.
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As for having the respect of the players, Nichols says game respects game. They know she knows basketball inside and out.
"Players pick up on that, if you know the game," she said. "They'll attach themselves to you just because you know the game because they love talking basketball, and you can't fake that."
It seems likely that Amber will have a shot at running an NBA franchise at some point down the road. That's the future though. Right now, she's living in the immediate.
"Sometimes there's a little bit of imposter syndrome there. Just being in this position, being so young, but at the same time I'm very confident you know?" she said. "I spoke this into existence a couple years ago, and I kept the vision in my head and that's what motivated me to be here and I've done the work, I've put the work in."