The New Orleans Hornets announced today that Dell Demps has been named General Manager. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released. Demps becomes the seventh general manager in team history.
“Through our extensive research with a number of GM candidates, Dell shined through as a rising star from a program in San Antonio that has a tremendous history of building a franchise into a championship contender,” said Hornets President Hugh Weber. “Beginning with the hiring of Head Coach Monty Williams, we’ve begun a path of building our basketball operations with people we feel are going to be the best in the business, and Dell Demps certainly fits into that category. Our owners Mr. Shinn and Mr. Chouest both feel confident that we are developing our organization in a way that will raise expectations. Dell along with Monty share a lot of the same philosophies and work ethic that will help lead our franchise to the next level.”
Demps has spent the last five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, serving as Director of Pro Player Personnel. In addition, he served as the General Manager of the Austin Toros (the Spurs NBA Development affiliate) for three years. The Spurs captured an NBA Championship and two Southwest Division titles during Demps’ five seasons in San Antonio. In addition, the Spurs have won at least 50 games in each of those five seasons.
“I have been fortunate to know Dell for a long time and we share a lot of the same beliefs,” said Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams. “He wants and has a great basketball pedigree, learning from some of the best minds in the business. Dell is a winner, hard worker and does things the right way. He will be a great asset to this organization.”
Demps, born in Long Beach, Calif., had a three-year NBA career with Golden State, Orlando and the Spurs. He was teammates with Williams in San Antonio during the 1995-96 season. Demps also spent time playing in the Philippines, France, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and the CBA during his 10-year professional career.
“Dell Demps is a highly respected basketball person who has been around a model organization in San Antonio,” said Hornets Owner George Shinn. “Gary and I both have the goal to be a great organization and work towards a championship. Dell is the right guy for this position and the future is bright for the New Orleans Hornets.”
Once his playing days were done, Demps spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Mobile Revelers in the NBA D-League, helping the Revelers capture the 2003 D-League Championship. He joined the New York Knicks as a scout for the 2003-04 season and was promoted to Director of Pro Player Personnel following the 2004-05 season in New York before joining the Spurs in the fall of 2005.
“From the moment I spoke to Hugh and Monty about this opportunity, I could tell something special was building within the organization,” said Demps. “I am excited for this opportunity because the Hornets are a great organization with a lot of positive pieces. I would like to thank George, Gary, and Hugh for their faith in me and am truly looking forward to also working with Monty.”
“We are all very excited for this opportunity for Dell and his family,” said Spurs General Manager RC Buford. “Having worked closely with both Dell and Monty, I’m confident that they will provide great leadership to the Hornets franchise. Dell has been a trusted confidant and an integral part of our organization. While we will all miss him, we are thrilled for Dell and wish him success in New Orleans.”
Demps, 40, was a four-year starter at University of the Pacific, earning All-Big West honors three times. He earned both his bachelor and master’s degrees in business administration from Pacific and is a member of Pacific’s School of Business Advisory Board.
