The 2023 NBA offseason has been excellent for players and fans alike. Some players are joining new teams, some players are staying with their teams and new players like Victor Wembanyama are coming into the league. The league’s future is bright and the 2023-24 season could be a sign of that. But it all comes back to the ongoing offseason. And on top of players and fans, agents have had a big offseason.
When it comes to free agency, there have been several significant and lucrative deals For example, point guard Fred VanVleet signed a three-year deal for nearly $130 million. VanVleet is a client of Klutch Sports, which is the sports agency founded by Rich Paul. Paul had a busy opening day in free agency, as he secured deals for clients Draymond Green and Jerami Grant. Green re-signed with the Golden State Warriors for $100 million and Grant re-signed with the Portland Trail Blazers for $160 million. He also did deals for other clients like Cory Joseph and Jordan Clarkson.
Paul is making waves this offseason (and every offseason for that matter) but there are other black agents doing great things. Here are five black agents making an impact in the league.
1.) Bouna Ndiaye
Bouna Ndiaye is the co-founder and CEO of Comsport, which is a French-based agency that has French NBA players such as Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nicholas Batum. Ndiaye and Comsport also represents Bilal Coulibaly, who was drafted this year and Coulibaly’s teammate (and No. 1 pick) Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama is one of the biggest topics in basketball right now, and chances are, he has a great NBA career ahead of him. And in the midst of that, Ndiaye will be in his corner.
2.) Shetellia Riley Irving
Shetellia Riley Irving is the stepmother of NBA superstar Kyrie Irving. She is also the first and only Black woman agent in the NBA. Her stepson was a free agent this summer, and once the free agency period started, he signed a three-year, $126 million deal to stay with the Mavericks. This in turn made Riley Irving the first black woman to negotiate and complete an NBA contract. Riley Irving made history this year, and has blazed a path for other black women who want to become sports agents.
3.) Wilmer M. Jackson-Spencer
Wilmer M. Jackson-Spencer is an NBPA Certified Agent. He is also the founder and CEO of Spencer Sports Management. Jackson-Spencer is the agent of Brandon Miller, who was the No. 2 pick of the 2023 draft.
Miller is a talented player who could have an exceptional NBA career ahead of him. Jackson-Spencer will be a factor in his success in the way Rich Paul is for LeBron James (both on and off the court).
4.) Troy Thompson
Troy Thompson is an NBPA agent for G.A.P.P. Sports Group (which stands for Guide. Advocate. Promote. Protect). He is the father of twin brothers Amen and Ausar Thompson, who were the fourth and fifth picks of the 2023 draft. Amen will play for the Houston Rockets, while Ausar will play for the Detroit Pistons. The close-knit Thompson family has started their NBA journey, and the future looks bright for them.
5.) Raymond Brothers
Raymond Brothers is an agent for I AM Sports & Entertainment. He also was a part of Roc Nation Sports before returning to I AM Sports & Entertainment. He has represented (now retired) players such as Zach Randolph, Jamaal Tinsley, Caron Butler and Tony Allen. More recently, Brothers represents Precious Achiuwa, Markelle Fultz, Immanuel Quickley and the ninth pick of the 2023 draft Taylor Hendricks. Brothers has years of experience, and Hendricks is in good hands under his guidance.
There are a number of black agents in the NBA, and in this year’s draft, all of the top ten picks were represented by black agents in some capacity. This included agents like Marcus Monk and the legendary Bill Duffy. This offseason has been exceptional, and black agents are playing a huge role in it.
