Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Utah hires Wes Wilcox, former Sacramento Kings assistant GM, as Runnin' Utes GM.
- Wilcox brings 20 years of NBA experience to Utah's basketball program.
- Wilcox aims to enhance Utah basketball's national prominence and streamline roster-building.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah men's basketball coach Alex Jensen added a key piece to staff on Wednesday.
The new Runnin' Utes coach hired Sacramento Kings assistant general manager Wes Wilcox as the program's general manager, a key position for Utah that will help streamline various roster-building aspects, including name, image and likeness deals with players.
"I'm thrilled to have Wes, his wife, Larisha, and their kids join our Runnin' Utes family here in Salt Lake City," Jensen said in a statement. "I couldn't think of a better person to trust with the general manager position for our basketball program.
"Wes has such a wealth of experience, not only at various levels in the NBA level but in the front office role for multiple organizations, as well," he added. "That experience along with the multiple positions he's had in all facets of the game will be critical as we move forward in this new frontier of college basketball."
Wilcox has more than 20 years of experience in the NBA, including several front-office positions, that made him a strong addition to Utah as a general manager. He comes to Utah after spending five seasons as an assistant general manager with the Kings.
Prior to his time with Sacramento, Wilcox worked for eight years in the Atlanta Hawks organization, including serving as the team's general manager from 2015-17. He also worked as a scout, assistant coach and director of player personnel with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jensen and Wilcox both together with the Canton Charge, the then-NBA D-League team for the Cavaliers, in 2011. Wilcox served as the team's first-ever general manager and hired Jensen to coach the team.
"My family and I are ecstatic to be joining the Runnin' Utes family and immerse ourselves in the Salt Lake community," Wilcox said in a statement. "I want to thank Alex for entrusting me with such a critical position on his staff and incredibly humbled to work for a basketball program with so much history at the University of Utah.
Wilcox said he understands the importance of his position and is "moving forward" in a new world of collegiate athletics.
"I'm excited to hit the ground running right away to help bring Utah basketball back to national prominence and will work tirelessly to help make that happen," he said.
Wilcox joins a growing trend of NBA coaches and front office personnel moving down to the collegiate ranks as the game evolves into a more professional-like model. Wilcox, however, becomes the highest-ranking member of an NBA front office to move down to the collegiate ranks.
Jensen said during his introductory press conference that the vast majority of his experience comes from the NBA; and as such, he'll use that influence to build his coaching staff and how he approaches the game.
Last week, Jensen hired former Memphis Grizzlies assistant Raphael Chillious as an assistant coach.
