Alabama State Appoints Dominique Wilkins General Manager

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer joins the Hornets to help lead basketball operations.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball

Alabama State Appoints Dominique Wilkins General Manager

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Alabama State University has introduced NBA legend Dominique Wilkins as the general manager of Hornets basketball. The announcement took place at the 2026 Basketball Tip-Off Dinner held at the John Garrick Hardy Student Center in Montgomery.

Why it matters

The appointment brings a high-profile basketball icon to the Montgomery campus to oversee operations alongside coaches Chris Wright and Johnetta Hayes. His presence is expected to provide significant leadership for the university's men's and women's basketball programs.

Wilkins recorded 26,668 points during his NBA career and won the 1985-86 scoring title with an average of 30.3 points per game. He was also selected for nine NBA All-Star teams and spent 12 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.

The players

Dominique Wilkins

A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member and former NBA star who scored 26,668 points during his professional career.

Jason Cable

The athletics director at Alabama State University who leads the department's strategic recruitment and personnel decisions.

Chris Wright

The head coach of the men's basketball team at Alabama State University who previously led Langston University to a 121-21 record.

Johnetta Hayes

The head coach of the women's basketball team at Alabama State University who managed a 17-16 record during the 2025-26 season.

The details

Athletics director Jason Cable officially introduced Wilkins to the Hornets community during the event. Wilkins, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member, will now contribute his extensive professional expertise to the university's basketball operations.

April 10, 2026: Chris Wright was named the men's basketball coach at Alabama State University.
October 2026: Dominique Wilkins was initially announced as the special guest for the Tip-Off Dinner.
October 27, 2026: Dominique Wilkins was introduced as the general manager at the John Garrick Hardy Student Center.

Season Trajectory

This high-profile hire shifts the Hornets' trajectory by bringing professional-level organizational standards to the basketball program. It positions the university to enhance its competitive standing within the conference following the recruitment of Chris Wright.

The introduction of Wilkins provides the basketball program with a new resource for recruitment and operational strategy. Fans can expect increased national visibility and potential changes in programmatic focus as the university integrates his professional experience into the team environment.

The takeaway

The addition of a legendary player to the university's leadership highlights a trend of integrating professional expertise into collegiate athletic departments. Students and fans should look for how this structural change influences the program's long-term recruitment strategy.