The Philadelphia 76ers named Bryan Colangelo ’87 as president of basketball operations on Sunday. Colangelo, who previously served as the general manager for two other NBA teams, will attempt to redirect the 76ers after three straight seasons of finishing towards the bottom of the league.
Colangelo most recently served as president and general manager of the Toronto Raptors where he won Executive of the Year in 2007. He also previously won the award in 2005 while with the Phoenix Suns, making him just the third executive ever to win the award with multiple teams. In his 12 years as general manager in Toronto and Phoenix, his teams won 56 percent of their games and made the playoffs 10 of 12 years.
After stepping down from his role in the Raptor’s front office, Colangelo worked with various NBA front offices and agents as a consultant.
While on the hill, Colangelo earned a bachelor of science degree in business management and applied economics while also playing on the men’s basketball team. Colangelo averaged three minutes a game in 42 contests over the course of three seasons.
Colangelo’s hire follows the resignation of former Philadelphia general manager, Sam Hinkie. Despite earning acclaim as a basketball visionary who embraced advanced analytics, in his four years with the 76ers, Hinkie put together an NBA-worst record of 47-195. He preached the strategy of “trust the process,” a controversial way of assembling a team that involved attempting to fall to the bottom of the standings in order to secure top draft picks.
The resignation of Hinkie reportedly coincided with a move by Colangelo’s father, Jerry, to limit Hinkie’s power. The elder Colangelo serves as Chairman of Basketball Operations of the 76ers.