NEW YORK, NY, January 14, 2020 – The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced that Mario West will serve as the new Director of the NBPA’s Off The Court (OTC) Program. As the new director, West will provide support and advice to players on their post-playing career and work with various departments within the NBPA to identify programs and benefits that are compatible with players’ interests as they transition from professional basketball.

West will be the second former player to serve in this position, succeeding Antonio Davis who helped to launch the program in 2017. Stepping into this role, West will continue to build and maintain relationships with players while developing tailored plans regarding professional development, financial literacy and health & wellness for post-NBA life.

 A former NBA player, West attended Georgia Tech, where he played basketball for 4 years and graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He went on to play in the NBA for four seasons and then played professionally abroad for teams in the Dominican Republic, Italy, the Philippines, Mexico, France and Argentina. In his post-playing career, West returned to Georgia Tech and the men’s basketball program in 2016 to serve as the Director of Player Personnel. In this role, West was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day needs of athletes, organizing the team’s community service activities and leading the program’s outreach to former players. West served in that role up until taking this position with the NBPA.

 “As a former player myself, I know how difficult it can be, mentally and physically, to walk away from a game you devoted your whole life to,” said Mario West. “I hope to help players view this process as the beginning of a new chapter, and leading the NBPA’s Off the Court Program, I am excited to assist them in discovering new career paths and interests as they transition away from their playing days.”

“We are thrilled to have Mario step in to lead the Off The Court Program,” said NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts. “As a former NBA player and collegiate coach, he understands the issues faced by players who are transitioning in and out of the league, either by choice or other circumstances, and he has the knowledge and expertise to help them as they navigate the next steps in their careers. We are appreciative of former director Antonio Davis for his service and his work in launching OTC and we are confident that Mario will continue to develop the program and expand its reach within the NBA community.”

The NBPA has also hired Artie Bayes to serve as the new Manager for the Off The Court Program. Prior to coming to the NBPA, Bayes worked for the New York Knicks for 14 years, managing community relations and eventually overseeing the alumni and player relations for all MSG basketball teams for the last 5 years of his tenure there.

 All media inquiries should be directed to communications@nbpa.com.

About the NBPA

The National Basketball Players Association is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and support the rights and talents of our players, magnify the power of their collective will, and amplify their voices as leaders who will transcend sport and society globally.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, or counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by the NBPI, the subsidiary of the NBPA charged with managing the players’ group licensing rights.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members, the NBPA Foundation provides support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations around the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need.

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