Billy King (basketball)

Billy Matthew King (born January 23, 1966) is an American basketball executive. He is the former general manager of the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers NBA teams, as well as former team president of the 76ers. As general manager of the Nets, King's legacy in the NBA was hurt by a series of oft-criticized trades that were deemed among the "worst in league history".[1][2][3]

Billy King
King making a rainbow shot in 1986
Personal information
Born (1966-01-23) January 23, 1966
Sterling, Virginia
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Career information
High schoolPark View
(Sterling, Virginia)
CollegeDuke (1984–1988)
PositionSmall forward
Number55
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's Basketball
Representing  United States
Summer Universiade
1987 Zagreb National team

Early life and education

King grew up in Sterling, Virginia where he played basketball at Park View High School.

King with Duke, circa 1985

He received a scholarship to play at Duke University and wore jersey number 55. He was known primarily for his tough defense. In his senior season, he served as a captain of Duke's 1988 Final Four team and was named NABC National Defensive Player of The Year.

Post-playing career

King served as an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers for four seasons under Larry Brown. He joined the professional ranks after spending four seasons as an assistant at Illinois State University under head coach Bob Bender. King also spent one year as a color analyst for ESPN's men's basketball coverage of the Ohio Valley Conference.

King then joined the Philadelphia 76ers on June 2, 1997, as vice president of basketball administration. On May 19, 1998, he was promoted to general manager, and on April 5, 2000, he signed a new contract to stay with the team for an extended term. On May 26, 2003, he was named president along with general manager.

In 2005, King and other individuals became prominent investors in a Foxwoods Resort Casino proposed for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4] In September 2008, facing massive opposition at the originally proposed waterfront location, backers for the slots casino decided to seek a new location in the Center City area, next to Philadelphia's Chinatown community.[5] As of January 2009, the casino did not have a building permit.

On December 4, 2007, the 76ers replaced King with former New Jersey Nets general manager Ed Stefanski.[6]

On July 14, 2010, King was hired as a general manager for the New Jersey Nets, replacing former Nets president and general manager Rod Thorn. On January 10, 2016, it was announced that the Nets had reassigned King.[7] His position would be replaced by former NBA player and San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Sean Marks.[8]

On October 2, 2019, it was announced that King was joining the morning sport talk radio show on 94 WIP in Philadelphia.

Personal life

King married the former Melanie Lynn Frantz on August 27, 2005. They have three children.

References
  1. Mazzeo, Mike (January 10, 2016). "Billy King era comes to a merciful end for Nets". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  2. Cuesta, Alexander (June 30, 2017). "Nets Fans Should Give Billy King a Pass". FOX Sports. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  3. Bondy, Stefan (June 18, 2017). "Worst trade ever: Looking back (and forward) on '13 draft when Nets went 'all-in' on deal for Celtics' Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce". nydailynews.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  4. "Overview". foxwoodspa.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  5. "DiCicco gets earful at Foxwoods forum". WHYY. October 9, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  6. "Stefanski replaces King as 76ers' general manager". ESPN.com. December 4, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  7. "Nets Part Ways With Head Coach Lionel Hollins". NBA.com. January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  8. "Nets hire Sean Marks as general manager". Sports Illustrated. February 18, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
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