Former NBA player James Jones becomes Suns President of Basketball Operations / News - Basketnews.com

In just 5 years, former NBA player and three-time champion James Jones went from being a newbie in an executive world from being named the Phoneix Suns President of Basketball Operations.

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

5 years after retiring from playing basketball professionally, James Jones has now become one of the most important people in the NBA, assuming a new role in the Phoenix Suns organization.

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The club has announced that Jones is being promoted to President of Basketball Operations on top of being the general manager of the team.

"In the nearly 15 years I have known James, he has excelled in every role he performed, from player to NBPA Treasurer to his roles in our front office, most recently as general manager." the team's interim governor Sam Garvin said in an official statement.

"James has the unique ability to create and lead high-performing teams in basketball operations and his commitment to collaborating with our business side, including at the C-level with partners like PayPal and Verizon, is second to none," the statement reads. "We are fortunate for his contributions across the organization and this promotion recognizes his commitment to excellence."

Jones retired in 2017 and was named the director of player personnel that same year. In 2018, he became the interim general manager. In 2019, he assumed the position full-time.

After assembling one of the best teams in the league, Jones was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2021. This January, the newly-appointed President of Basketball Operations signed a multi-year extension with the Suns.

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