42, General Manager
Why He’s Interesting: In the NBA, spending several years with the same organization is a rarity. After a stint of pro ball, Gansey started with the Cavs as an intern before working in various roles related to recruiting, logistics and draft preparation. After nearly 15 years with the Cavs, Gansey earned Executive of the Year in 2017 as general manager of the Canton Charge and now serves as GM of the Cavs under Koby Altman, president of basketball operations. “It’s been a dream come true, being from Cleveland, being a Cavs, Guardians, Browns fan my whole life, and now to be able to work for a team and then win a championship with them.”
Northeast Ohio Roots: Gansey graduated from Olmsted Falls High School in 2001 and finished second in voting for Ohio’s 2001 Mr. Basketball Award behind LeBron James (you may have heard of him). He played collegiately at St. Bonaventure and West Virginia universities. Professionally, he had several stints in the then-NBA D League and in Europe before returning to Cleveland to begin his front office career. “It’s Cleveland. It’s home.”
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Blown Cover: If Gansey wasn't working in basketball, he says he would be working in the CIA’s counterterrorism department or would be a pediatrician. He scratches the counterterrorism itch by watching political action thriller movies and shows. As for being a pediatrician, he has four children with his wife, Amy.
Floor to ceiling: Gansey isn’t the lead decision-maker for the Cavs, but he is the right-hand man to Altman. With a keen eye for evaluating talent, Gansey spends a good chunk of his time on the road traveling to watch potential future members of the Cavs. Trips to Australia, Europe, Hawaii, Las Vegas and more are part of this job when he’s not in Cleveland.
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