In today’s episode of the Sports Business Classroom Audio Experience, we sat down with Wes Wilcox, Assistant General Manager of the Sacramento Kings, live on the concourse from the SBC Studio set during the 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League in Las Vegas.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Delivering big on the smallest tasks
• Building trust in a front office
• Being comfortable in a position that’s often uncomfortable
• A past SBC student’s journey breaking into the Sacramento Kings’ Basketball Ops department

Wes Wilcox enters his third season with the Kings as Assistant General Manager. Wilcox supports General Manager Monte McNair in all facets of front office operations including roster construction, strategy, and player evaluation.

Wes comes to Sacramento with nearly 20 years of experience in the NBA, including serving as General Manager (2015-17) and Assistant General Manager (2012-15) of the Atlanta Hawks, Director of Player Personnel for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the first General Manager of the Cavs’ NBA Development League team, the Canton Charge.

Wes started his career in the roles of Advance Scout, College Scout, Pro Personnel Scout, and Assistant Coach with the Cavaliers and as an Intern with the Miami Heat in their scouting and video department. Wes went to school at Cal State Fullerton and was the men’s basketball student manager for the 2000-01 season.

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WHERE TO LISTEN

Listen to this podcast episode on:

SHOW NOTES

• Wes Wilcox Introduction (1:16 )
• Early Basketball Beginnings of Wes Wilcox (1:47)
• Pivoting from playing to coaching (2:49)
• “Whatever it takes, put yourself in the environment” (4:14)
• Looking the part, and always be in the room (6:00)
• Building trust with Paul Silas (6:32)
• The value of Sports Business Classroom (8:37)
• The great Jeff Siegal story from SBC to Clutch Sports (9:43)
• Aram Palamoudian from SBC to Sacramento Kings Basketball Operations full time (10:20)
• Checking in on No Trade Clause (13:43)
• “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable” (14:46)
• First impressions Do’s and Don’ts (15:08)
• The importance of building relationships with the next generation of talent (16:45)
• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance; fundamentals to grow (18:38)
• The Importance of Having a Technical Skill In The NBA (20:41)
• “My first real leadership role was a struggle” (23: 13)
• Pushing yourself to learn something new (23:34)
• Giving advice to Wes Wilcox’s future self (26:25)
• One simple piece of advice for those looking to break into the business of basketball (28:08)

LINKS

• NBA.com