NEW YORK – The NBA has named longtime sports executive Malcolm Turner President of the NBA Development League (NBA D-League) effective Nov. 12, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum announced today. Turner will report to Tatum and oversee the business and basketball operations for the NBA D-League and its 18 teams.

Turner joins the NBA family from sports marketing and management agency Wasserman Media Group, where he has worked since 2007, most recently as the managing director of the golf division. Prior to his role in the golf division, Turner helped build Wasserman’s consulting division as its managing director, where he created and managed sports, entertainment, venue and new product launch strategies for leading corporate brands and properties.

“Malcolm is the ideal person to lead the NBA D-League at this exciting moment in the league’s history,” said Tatum. “His expertise, vision and leadership will be invaluable to the NBA D-League as it continues to provide opportunities for NBA-caliber players, coaches, referees and front office executives while growing to meet the increasing development needs of NBA teams.”

“It is an exciting time at the NBA and for basketball overall, especially with the league’s leadership and the industry understanding the importance and potential of the NBA D-League,” said Turner. “I was intrigued by the opportunity to help grow and develop the league, as well as the chance to once again work closely with people I have long respected. I am very much looking forward to working with the teams and the league office to usher in a period I am confident will be marked by great basketball and business gains.”

Turner has worked in the sports industry throughout his career. Prior to joining Wasserman, Turner served as the senior vice president of OnSport, a North Carolina-based sports and entertainment consulting firm, where he managed strategy for clients including American Express, Nokia, Travelers and Northern Trust. As a former tournament official for the PGA Tour, Turner also has managed the event marketing and activation of numerous PGA Tour Championship events.

A member of the New York State Bar, Turner earned his joint J.D./M.B.A degrees from Harvard University. While at Harvard, Turner worked with the NBA’s President of Marketing and Media in conjunction with the launch of the WNBA and consulted with the President of Major League Baseball Properties. He was recognized as a member of SportsBusiness Journal’s “Forty under 40” in 2007, and has served on the advisory boards of Teach for America and the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flager Business School, and the Morehead-Cain Scholarship Fund. Turner holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He resides in New York City with his wife Jessica.