NBA: Suns’ James Jones, Raptors’ Masai Ujiri Among The Black Front Office Executives
According to the 2022 NBA Racial and Gender Report Card, which was revealed on Wednesday, the NBA scored an A+ for racial hiring policies and a B+ for gender hiring procedures, giving it an overall grade of A. Significant improvements from the 2021 report card were seen in all three scores.
The greatest percentage of players of colour in any sport during the 2021–22 season was 82.4%. For general managers and head coaches, there were significant hires. NBA clubs’ two most scrutinised positions are these two. They serve as the teams’ local and international public faces. They are frequently the subject of any investigation into whether a position is held by a person of colour or by a person of colour who is white.
Today we celebrate pioneering basketball player and front-office executive Wayne Embry.
Embry made history in 1972 when he became the NBA’s first Black GM with the Bucks. In 1994, with the Cavaliers, he became the league's first Black team president.#BlackHistoryAlways pic.twitter.com/8ftZdWSvy5
— Andscape (@andscape) February 26, 2021
Some of the best basketball minds may be found in any one of the 30 NBA front offices. And while some rose through the ranks after their individual NBA and WNBA careers, some of the most influential figures in the game never set foot on an NBA or WNBA court.
NBA: Suns’ James Jones, Raptors’ Masai Ujiri Among The Black Front Office Executives
The discussion of breaking down boundaries must start with Wayne Embry, who became the first Black general manager of the NBA in 1972. And while Embry’s influence is seen around the league, it is most notable in Toronto, where he has worked as the team’s advisor for almost 20 years.
Wayne Embry transitioned from player to GM and won the West. pic.twitter.com/p8tkC0H7i2
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 1, 2021
Along with Embry, Masai Ujiri also calls the Raptors organisation home. Over the past ten years, he has established himself as one of the most influential executives in all of North American sports. Nigerian-born Ujiri, who joined the Raptors in 2013, was mainly in charge of assembling the team that won the franchise’s first championship. Ujiri was voted the NBA’s Executive of the Year in 2012–13 in Denver.
Just watched the story of the Masai Ujiri. I felt inspired on a unique level as a Nigerian.
The most outstanding part is his drive to build a whole new ecosystem of BB athletes and sport business minds in Africa with his “Giant of Africa” project. There’s Hope. pic.twitter.com/gILpFRSXag
— Chidiebere Anugwolu (@EzemmuoOfSports) January 10, 2023
Ujiri’s journey, which included his upbringing in Nigeria, prep and collegiate basketball in the United States, and a professional playing career in Europe, is an excellent example of the many ways that Black leaders have become game changers in business.
Then there’s Marc Eversley of Chicago, who not only made history as the first general manager of colour for the Bulls but also as the first general manager from the Greater Toronto Area in the NBA.
In Cleveland, Koby Altman was given a number of challenging decisions to make within a year of accepting the position in 2017; less than six years later, he has rebuilt a contender.
Welcome to Bulls Nation, Marc Eversley! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zI7q56n4dD
— Bulls Nation (@BullsNationCP) April 27, 2020
The aforementioned three, along with Brian Wright of San Antonio, Dallas’ Nico Harrison, Detroit’s Troy Weaver, Houston’s Rafael Stone, and New York’s Scott Perry, have all carved out distinctive paths to their roles without having played in the NBA.
Naturally, a few well-known faces have made their way into the front office after making a big impression on the floor.
Landry Fields, who was hired as the Hawks’ general manager in June 2022, is the most recent figure to rise quickly in the world of basketball front offices.
76ers, Mavs and Laker fans: “We’re gonna get Zach Lavine by the trade deadline”
Marc Eversley (Bulls GM): pic.twitter.com/BnmHqUTX6A
— Jalani (@Jalaniiiiii) January 16, 2021
James Jones, a player in Phoenix, won the title of Executive of the Year in 2021 for building a roster that came within two victories of winning the NBA championship. Jones is an expert on creating champions. He is a three-time NBA champion who earned the moniker “Champ” during his playing career.
In Denver, where Calvin Booth is in charge, Nikola Jokic, the back-to-back MVP, seems to have the backing he needs to add NBA champion to his résumé.
Ayton is trade-eligible today, and the clock is ticking louder on James Jones’ desk
(by @DaveKingNBA) https://t.co/6sZKZaGnhd
— The Bright Side (@BrightSideSun) January 15, 2023
There is justifiable praise for the work of David Griffin in New Orleans and Daryl Morey in Philadelphia, but they are joined by the Pelicans’ general manager Trajan Langdon and former No. 1 overall choice Elton Brand.
Hall of Famer Swin Cash, who is VP of Basketball Operations in New Orleans, also made history by becoming the first woman of colour to hold the position as deputy general manager in Phoenix in 2022.
"Detroit adopted me, it's my second home" 💙⚡️❤️
Swin Cash, who won three WNBA championships with the Detroit Shock, is elated to be back in the mitten as the Pelicans' current vice president of basketball operations.#Pistons | @ThinkFordFirst pic.twitter.com/1WArjXJY8q
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 14, 2023
It’s crucial to acknowledge people who are making history in the present, breaking new barriers and paving the way for future generations as part of the amplification and celebration of the previous barrier breakers who blazed the trail.
Notable Black basketball operations executives, 2022-23 season
Name | Team | Position |
Landry Fields | Atlanta Hawks | General manager |
Marc Eversley | Chicago Bulls | General manager |
Koby Altman | Cleveland Cavaliers | President of Basketball Operations |
Nico Harrison | Dallas Mavericks | President/General manager |
Calvin Booth | Denver Nuggets | General manager |
Troy Weaver | Detroit Pistons | General manager |
Rafael Stone | Houston Rockets | General manager |
Swin Cash | New Orleans Pelicans | Vice President of Basketball Operations & Team Development |
Trajan Langdon | New Orleans Pelicans | General manager |
Scott Perry | New York Knicks | General manager |
Elton Brand | Philadelphia 76ers | General manager |
Morgan Cato | Phoenix Suns | Vice President of Basketball Operations & Assistant general manager |
James Jones | Phoenix Suns | General manager |
Brian Wright | San Antonio Spurs | General manager |
Masai Ujiri | Toronto Raptors | Vice Chairman & President of Basketball Operations |