Wed Feb 26 02:20:00 UTC 2025: ## UNC Hires NBA Agent Jim Tanner as Men’s Basketball General Manager
**Chapel Hill, NC** – Facing a challenging season and the need for a revamped approach, the University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball program announced a significant restructuring Tuesday. The Tar Heels hired longtime NBA agent Jim Tanner as their first-ever general manager.
Tanner, president and founder of Tandem Sports & Entertainment, brings 28 years of experience representing over 70 NBA players, including 17 former UNC players. His hiring comes less than a month after head coach Hubert Davis declared the program’s old model unsustainable in the face of NIL deals, the transfer portal, and increased competition for talent.
“The landscape of college basketball has changed dramatically,” Tanner stated. “I look forward to using my experience to help position UNC as strategic and innovative in scouting and attracting top talent.”
Tanner’s responsibilities will include roster construction, contract negotiations, and expanding the program’s scouting, analytics, and player development operations. Coach Davis expressed enthusiasm for the addition, highlighting Tanner’s expertise in navigating the complexities of the modern college basketball landscape.
The move comes as UNC (18-11, 11-6 ACC) battles to secure an NCAA tournament berth after a disappointing season. Key players like RJ Davis are expected to leave after this year, adding urgency to roster rebuilding efforts. The Tar Heels’ struggles in the transfer portal last spring further emphasized the need for a more strategic approach.
This is the second GM hire for the university; the football program recently brought on former NFL executive Michael Lombardi. The addition of Tanner marks a significant step in modernizing UNC’s basketball operations and enhancing its competitiveness in the evolving college basketball landscape.
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