After leading the resurrection of the USA Basketball program for eight years, Jerry Colangelo will not seek a third term as chairman of the organization.
Colangelo said in a news release that he will stay on as Managing Director of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team.
After back-to-back terms as chairman and president, the long-time NBA executive said he is making the move in order to concentrate on building the national team pool for the 2017-2020 period when Gregg Popovich takes over as head coach replacing Mike Krzyzewski.
“Given the coaching change and the challenge of assembling a group of players for FIBA’s new competition schedule, this is a good time to devote my full attention to the Men’s National Team,” said Colangelo. “As Chairman of USA Basketball, I’m proud of what our teams at all levels have accomplished and how our players have embraced the responsibility of representing their country. I look forward to working with the next Chairman to ensure that we continue to honor and build on USA Basketball’s rich tradition.”
Colangelo took over as Managing Director of the Men’s National Team in 2005, just one year after the U.S. men finished with a disappointing bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Under his leadership, which included securing the participation of the top NBA players and installing Krzyzewski as head coach, the U.S. men’s team has won 88 of 89 games, compiled a current 53-game winning streak in major international competitions. In August the men’s team won its third consecutive gold medal at the Olympics in Rio and is also the two-time reigning World Cup champion.
“Under Jerry Colangelo’s hands-on leadership, USA Basketball has been a model organization that has set the standard for international competition,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “Jerry has not only overseen outstanding success on the court, but he has shaped the culture of the entire program and strengthened USA Basketball’s commitment to youth development. We thank Jerry for his service as Chairman of USA Basketball and look forward to his continued contributions as Managing Director of the Men’s National Team.”
