The University of Utah has hired Sacramento Kings assistant general manager Wes Wilcox to help reshape the Utes’ men’s basketball program.
Wilcox joins new head coach Alex Jensen (currently a Dallas Mavericks assistant coach) and assistant coach Raphael Chillious (formerly a Memphis Grizzlies personnel evaluator) as the Runnin’ Utes continue to tap into NBA talent.
“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 news release. “... I understand how important this position is moving forward not only in the college athletics landscape but also for the future of Runnin’ Utes basketball. 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.”
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who first reported the hire, Wilcox will be the highest-ranking sitting NBA front office member to take a college front office job.
“I couldn’t think of a better person to trust with the general manager position for our basketball program,” Jensen said in a news release. “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. 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.
Wilcox got his start as an NBA executive as the director of player personnel for the Cleveland Cavaliers and worked as the general manager for the then-D-League’s Canton Charge. He originally hired Jensen as the head coach in Canton.
He was then hired by the Atlanta Hawks to become their assistant general manager from 2012 to 2015. Wilcox was later promoted to become the Hawks’ GM from 2015-17 before ultimately resigning from the position to become a special advisor from 2017-20.
Wilcox has been with the Kings ever since before joining the college ranks in Salt Lake City. The move to hire an NBA executive comes as programs across the country prepare for a revenue-sharing model ahead of the 2025-26 season.
“My meetings with Wes, coupled with his outstanding experience, made it clear to me that this decision was a no-brainer,” Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan said in a statement. “I applaud Alex for identifying such a proven professional to help build the program as he envisions in this new era of college athletics, and I congratulate and welcome Wes and his family to the Runnin’ Utes family.”
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