Hall of Famer Grant Hill will succeed Jerry Colangelo as the next managing director of the USA men’s national team after the Tokyo Olympics, USA Basketball announced.
“It is a tremendous honor to serve as managing director of USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team. I am looking forward to working with the USA Basketball staff and Board of Directors to lead this organization so uniquely positioned for continued growth and for developing and promoting our top talent in events around the world,” said Hill. “As a member of the 1996 Dream Team, I know the thrill and responsibility it is to represent our country. I am confident USA Basketball will continue to showcase the top talent and highest character players in our country.”
Talks have been ongoing for several months on Hill taking over for Colangelo after the Tokyo Olympics and Adam Silver was a major proponent of Hill’s candidacy, notes Adrian Wojnarowski.
“We are very excited that Grant Hill will join USA Basketball as our USA Men’s National Team managing director. Grant is a proven leader of consequence and character who will continue to help us achieve on our twin goals of winning international competitions and representing our country with honor,” said USA Basketball Board of Directors chair and retired General Martin Dempsey. “In making this announcement, I also want to emphasize how much everyone associated with USA Basketball appreciates Jerry Colangelo for everything he did for USA Basketball over the past 15 years.”
Hill, 48, played 19 NBA seasons, was an All-Star seven times and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
He also played for five USA Basketball teams, won two gold medals and one bronze medal and had an overall record of 26-1.
Hill plans to work with Colangelo closely during this summer’s Olympic Games.
“I intend to spend an incredible amount of time with Jerry, shadow him some this summer, and I think that experience will certainly help as we move forward,” said Hill. “He’s just an invaluable resource and has done a remarkable job, so you can’t help but learn from someone like Jerry.”
Hill has worked as an NBA and college basketball analyst for Turner Sports and he will continue in that role after taking over the Team USA job.
Until he assumes his new position, Hill is focused on building and keeping a winning team, as he has already started to plan.
“The brain is working,” he said.
