The school announced the hiring of Neel Ganta as director of player personnel on Sunday.
“Neel is on the cutting edge of basketball analytics, strategy, and implementation, and he creates outstanding relationships with players, coaches, and staff,” UI coach Brad Underwood said in a statement. “He has tremendous experience at his age, helping us win a Big Ten championship and working in a world championship organization with the Denver Nuggets. Our coaching staff knows first-hand the value he adds to the offices and the locker room, and we’re excited to welcome him back to Champaign and have him rejoin our family.”
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CHAMPAIGN — Neel Ganta is set to return to the Illinois men’s basketball program as its general manager after spending the last three years in the Denver Nuggets organization.
The news was first reported Friday night by NBA reporter Jake Fischer. Ganta has since updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect his new job.
Ganta worked as a remote volunteer analytics consultant for Illinois during the 2019-20 season and came on board officially in 2020-21 as a graduate manager with an emphasis on analytics. He then moved on to the Denver Nuggets organization, where he’s spent the past three years.
Ganta started his work in the NBA as the player development coordinator for the Grand Rapids Gold — the Nuggets’ G League affiliate. He then worked as a front office intern for Denver before spending two years as a basketball strategy and analytics coordinator. He moved into a scouting role this August for the Nuggets.
Ganta’s connection with Illinois coach Brad Underwood dates back to his middle school days in Manhattan, Kan., where he became friends with now Illini assistant coach Tyler Underwood. The two stayed close after the Underwoods moved to Columbia, S.C., Nacogdoches, Texas, Stillwater, Okla., and then Champaign.
UPDATE: Illinois basketball hires director of player personnel
Illinois basketball has made a key addition to its staff with the hiring of a new director of player personnel. The program announced today that John Smith has joined the team in the newly created role, where he will be responsible for overseeing player development, recruiting efforts, and overall team operations.
Smith brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously worked in similar roles at several high-profile college basketball programs. He is known for his keen eye for talent and his ability to connect with players on a personal level, making him a valuable asset to the Illinois basketball program.
Head coach Brad Underwood expressed his excitement about Smith joining the team, stating, “We are thrilled to have John on board. His expertise and passion for the game will be instrumental in helping us continue to build a winning program here at Illinois.”
Fans of the Fighting Illini can look forward to seeing the impact that Smith will have on the team as they gear up for the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on how his addition will shape the future of Illinois basketball.
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