The National Basketball Association (NBA) has named Victor Williams as CEO of NBA Africa.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced his appointment on Monday, August 10, 2020.
Williams' tenure will begin effective August 17, 2020 and he will be based in the league’s Johannesburg office.
His roles includes overseeing the league’s basketball and business development initiatives in Africa and reporting to NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum.
He is also expected to lead grassroots development, media distribution and corporate partnerships in developing the game across Africa.
Williams boasts huge experience in investment banking, having worked as Executive Head of Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Africa Regions for Standard Bank Group, for the last five years.
The Sierra Leonean said he looks forward to meeting his new colleague and getting started in his new role.
“Becoming CEO of NBA Africa is a compelling opportunity to join the NBA – a widely-respected and admired, globally-oriented sports enterprise,” Williams said.
“It allows me to blend my professional experience building businesses in Africa with my passion for the sport of basketball. I look forward to working with our colleagues in Johannesburg and Dakar to help grow basketball’s commercial and social impact in Africa and on the world stage.”
Meanwhile, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also said of Williams' appointment: “Adding an executive of Victor’s caliber and experience is an important step in our continued efforts to grow basketball across the continent.
“We look forward to Victor leading NBA Africa’s operations and helping to accelerate the use of sports as an economic engine across Africa.”
Williams holds a bachelor’s degrees in applied math and economics from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
