Cleveland Cavaliers Director of Player Personnel Wes Wilcox has been named general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers new NBA Development League franchise in Canton, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today.

“Having Wes in this role is another reflection of the synergy and connectivity that owning and operating our own D-League team in Canton provides. As Wes has been an integral member of our staff for the past eight years, it enhances the opportunity for us to extend our team and organizational culture further into the player development process. Wes has been intricately involved in the D League evolution over the last several years and the Canton franchise has already and will continue to, greatly benefit from his knowledge and experience.”

Wilcox will oversee all of the Canton team’s basketball operations elements, as well as all team personnel and activities. He will also continue in his role as the director of player personnel for the Cavaliers.

“I am extremely thankful for this unique opportunity to have a leadership role in building a special franchise in the city of Canton,” said Wilcox. “Our organization places a very high value on player development as part of our culture and we are committed to building a successful environment both on the court and in this community. I’m excited to be a part of that and we look forward to earning the support of our fans here.”

After serving as the New Orleans Hornets’ video coordinator during the 2002-03 NBA season, Wilcox joined the Cavaliers prior to the 2003-04 season as the Cavs’ advance game scout, a position he held for four seasons. He then served as the team’s college and pro personnel scout for three seasons. He was named director of player personnel in September 2010. He has also served as the Cavaliers’ liaison with their NBA Developmental League affiliates over the last four seasons.

Wilcox is a graduate of Cal-State Fullerton and native of La Habra, California.

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner has said that the Cavs made the right move in acquiring the team.

On July 7th, 2011 the Cleveland Cavaliers announced they will own and operate the new NBA Development League (the NBA’s official minor league) franchise in Canton, Ohio. As owner/operators, the Cavaliers will have exclusive control over all basketball and business elements for the franchise, which will begin play in the 2011-12 season at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, which is approximately 60 miles south of Cleveland. The Cavaliers acquired the former New Mexico Thunderbirds franchise, which ceased operations, and are only the 5th NBA team to currently own and operate their own NBA D-League affiliate (Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City and San Antonio).