ATLANTA, GA - The Atlanta Hawks announced today that Danny Ferry has been named President of Basketball Operations and General Manager.
"Over the past nine years Danny Ferry has earned tremendous respect as a front office executive in the NBA,” said Atlanta Hawks partner, Bruce Levenson. “His philosophy, character, and commitment to creating enduring and successful organizations exemplify exactly what we are looking for in a leader of the Atlanta Hawks. Danny’s systematic and value driven approach has helped him become one of the preeminent minds in basketball. He is passionate about building an organization the right way, knows how to win and knows how to forge winning teams. We look forward to having him as our leader of basketball operations."
Ferry was previously with the San Antonio Spurs serving as the team’s vice president of basketball operations from 2010-2012. Prior to the Spurs, Ferry held the role of General Manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-2010, where the Cavaliers posted a 272-138 (.663) record, enjoyed the NBA’s best regular season record in both 2008–09 and 2009–10 and advanced to the 2007 NBA Finals, marking the franchise’s first, and only, trip to the NBA Finals.
Ferry’s NBA career included playing for the San Antonio Spurs (2000-2003) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (1990-2000). In his 13-year NBA career, Ferry averaged 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds in 917 career games. Shortly after winning an NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003, Ferry then began his NBA front office career with the team as director of basketball operations. He remained with the Spurs through the 2004-05 season, when the team captured its third Championship.
"My family and I are thrilled to join the Hawks organization and Atlanta community," said Hawks new President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Danny Ferry. "There were many components that made this the right fit for me but clearly my confidence in the ownership group and their dedication to building a Championship caliber franchise was most important. They are committed to building with the right people and investing in critical areas for development; both essential elements if we want to create sustained success. “
A native of Hyattsville, MD, Ferry played four seasons at Duke (1985-1989) where he was named a First Team All-American as both a junior and a senior, received the 1989 Naismith Award and was inducted into the Duke Sports Hall of Fame in September of 2004.
Ferry’s contract is a multi-year deal the specifics of which were not disclosed.