Bryan Colangelo is back in basketball.
The man last working in the NBA as the 76ers GM — until a Twitter controversy started by his wife surfaced — is now the part-owner of and an advisor to the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s National Basketball League. That would be the team LaMelo Ball played for and tried to purchase a piece of, but could not.
The NBL announced the move in a press release. Colangelo is co-owner with Dorry Kordahi, a former part-owner of the Sydney Kings, and Michael Proctor. Colangelo will not have a day-to-day role as GM/President but will serve as a consultant and advisor to the basketball operations side.
“Australian basketball with its great history has been on a significant rise for many years now and the NBL has played a significant role in growing the sport’s awareness and participation levels, while developing some of the best athlete and coaching talent the world has to offer,” Colangelo said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be selected as new partners with the league and pledge to outperform the expectations placed on us and deliver for Hawks fans.
“With the Next Stars initiative, the league has strategically positioned itself as a viable alternative for young athletes seeking a premium player development and athlete care model that best prepares them for competing at the sport’s highest levels. LaMelo Ball, among others, serves as a great example of just how influential the NBL has become on a global basis.”
LaMelo used the games he played in Australia to ensure a spot near the top of the NBA Draft this year.
Colangelo worked in the front office in Toronto and Phoenix before being in Philadelphia and was twice named NBA Executive of the Year. He interviewed for the team president in Chicago this year, but the Bulls went with Arturas Karnisovas.