After the conclusion of the regular season in April, the Kings quickly began preparing for the offseason and seasons ahead by bringing in Ken Catanella as the team’s Assistant General Manager.
Catanella was previously with the Detroit Pistons, where he spent five years as Director of Basketball Operations and Assistant General Manager.
Before his career began in NBA front offices, Catanella graduated with his degree from Amherst College, where he also played basketball, and later earned his MBA from Duke University. He would go on to play professionally for Bundesliga’s Cologne 99ers and would also serve as the team’s Assistant General Manager.
Leading up to his current position with the Kings, Catanella has gathered a multitude of experience, working in Wall Street, the NBA’s league offices and the New Jersey Nets, in addition to his previously stated time in Detroit.
Now, Catanella will be alongside Kings General Manager Vlade Divac as the team prepares for the upcoming offseason.
Kings.com had a chance to speak with Ken on his readiness to contribute to Sacramento basketball.
Heading into the offseason, what will you be focusing on stepping into this role as an Assistant General Manager?
“I look forward to collaborating with the Kings front office and basketball operations staff – helping them continue to move to the upper echelon in the League in areas including but not limited to: player evaluation and scouting, player development, analytics, salary cap management and sports science, while putting processes and best practices into place that I’ve observed in the NBA, college and international ranks.”
What excites you most about being a part of the Kings organization?
“Anyone who's been around this league knows about the fans in Sacramento. They're among the best in sports. With our new state-of-the-art arena and a new practice facility, the energy in the city is palpable. This is a tremendous organization that’s on the rise and building something special. I wanted to join during this unique time in the Kings proud history, because I personally crave being part of something bigger than myself. Timing in life can often be instrumental in an individual’s or group’s success, and all signs currently point toward the Kings undergoing a significant resurgence in the months and years ahead. Vlade, Coach Joerger and the people of Sacramento know what great team basketball is all about, and I’m passionate about helping our team bring that winning feeling back to the city and the region.”
As someone who has been in a multitude of positions throughout your career, what are some valuable takeaways from your past experience?
“One of the most important keys is to view the game through a balanced lens – one that considers the importance of in-game scouting, analytics, players’ backgrounds and developing a group that both fits cohesively and cares deeply about each other.”
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