Trae Young Joins OU as Assistant GM, Donates $1M

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has been appointed as the assistant general manager for the University of Oklahoma's men's basketball program, marking a trend of NBA superstars taking on administrative roles at their alma maters, similar to Steph Curry at Davidson. Young, who played for Oklahoma in 2017-18 and led the nation in scoring and assists, has pledged a $1 million donation to support the program. His role will involve evaluating prospects, negotiating player contracts, and guiding players in building their brands, aligning with the evolving landscape of college sports under the name, image, and likeness (NIL) reforms. This move reflects a broader shift towards involving prominent alumni in college sports administration to leverage their influence and resources, particularly in enhancing recruitment and fundraising efforts. While Young remains committed to his NBA career, his involvement with Oklahoma will likely intensify during the NBA offseason. This emerging trend showcases the potential for active players to contribute significantly to college programs' success and development.