The University of Utah officially announced the hiring of Sacramento Kings assistant general manager Wes Wilcox on Wednesday.
Wilcox, a veteran NBA executive who spent five seasons with the Kings, will serve as general manager of Utah’s men’s basketball program. He leaves
Wilcox issued a statement to local media after his hiring was announced, bidding a fond farewell to Sacramento. Wilcox praised Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, general manager Monte McNair, interim coach Doug Christie, chief operating officer Matina Kolokotronis and president of business operations John Rinehart.
“Dear Sacramento,” Wilcox wrote. “For the past four and a half years, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve the Sacramento Kings organization and its peerless fanbase. Vivek Ranadive’s passion, commitment and love of this franchise is unmatched.
“Monte McNair is a remarkable leader and a lifelong friend. Doug Christie is a bright light for the city of Sacramento – and a head coach with a fantastic future in the NBA. Matina Kolokotronis and John Rinehart have been incredible partners and play such important roles in the success of the franchise on and off the floor. Kings leadership is poised to lead the organization into even better days ahead.”
Wilcox went on to thank other members of the organization and the team’s fans.
“I want to give particular thanks to the great and dedicated players, coaches and staff who have helped the Kings make history in recent seasons,” Wilcox said. “This has been a transformative chapter in both my professional career and my family’s lives, and we’ll forever cherish our time here.
“Also, I want to thank the most passion, loyal fans in the NBA for your endless enthusiasm and unconditional care of Kings basketball. Like you all, the Wilcox family will keep cheering for Sacramento Kings basketball.”
Wilcox helped McNair transform Sacramento’s roster with mixed results over the past five years.
The Kings won 48 games to secure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference in 2022-23. They ended the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 consecutive losing seasons. The Kings came up short last season, losing in the final round of the NBA play-in tournament.
Wilcox has worked in the NBA for more than 20 years. He started as a scouting and video intern with the Miami Heat in 2001-02.
Wilcox worked as a video coordinator with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2002-03 before going to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he spent seven seasons as an advance scout, college scout, pro personnel scout, assistant coach and director of player personnel.
Wilcox later worked for the Atlanta Hawks, where he served as assistant general manager from 2012-15, general manager from 2015-17 and special adviser from 2017-20 before coming to Sacramento.
Wilcox also worked as general manager of the G League Canton Charge. He hired current Utah coach Alex Jensen as head coach in Canton.
Utah athletic director Mark Harlan welcomed Wilcox to Salt Lake City in a news release when the hiring was announced.
“My meetings with Wes, coupled with his outstanding experience, made it clear to me that this decision was a no-brainer,” Harlan said. “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.”
Jensen lauded Wilcox’s experience over years in the NBA.
“I’m thrilled to have Wes, his wife Larisha and their kids join our Runnin’ Utes family here in Salt Lake City,” Jensen said. “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. 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.”