Dell Demps
Dell Demps (born February 12, 1970) is an American basketball executive and former professional player, currently serving as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves.[1] He is best known for his tenure as general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans (formerly the Hornets) from 2010 to 2019, during which he oversaw 699 regular-season games with a record of 311 wins and 388 losses, including three playoff appearances (2011, 2015, and 2018) and achieving a franchise-best 48 wins in the 2017–18 season.[2] Demps began his basketball journey growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he initially received no college scholarship offers and worked as a dishwasher to fund participation in AAU basketball, eventually earning exposure to Division I programs.[3] He attended the University of the Pacific from 1988 to 1992, becoming a four-year starter and the program's second-leading scorer with 1,742 career points, while leading the team in scoring for three consecutive seasons and earning three-time All-Big West honors, including first-team selection in 1991–92.[4] Undrafted in the 1992 NBA Draft, Demps appeared in 20 NBA games across three seasons (1993–1996) with the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic, averaging 1.6 points per game.[3] After his brief NBA playing career, Demps transitioned to international play for a decade in leagues across France, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Venezuela, and the Philippines, before entering NBA front-office roles.[3] He joined the San Antonio Spurs organization as a volunteer assistant coach, later advancing to roles managing their D-League affiliate, which paved the way for his appointment as the youngest general manager in the NBA at age 40 when hired by the New Orleans Hornets in July 2010.[3] Demps holds a master's degree in business from the University of the Pacific and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2004 for his collegiate achievements.[4]Early life and education
Childhood and high school
Dell Demps was born on February 12, 1970, in Long Beach, California.[5] Raised by his parents, Dell Sr. and Dee Demps, he grew up in an environment that emphasized hard work and perseverance, as his parents, who did not attend college, focused on providing opportunities for their children through dedication and effort.[3] This family influence shaped Demps' early development, fostering a strong work ethic that extended to his burgeoning interest in basketball during his youth in California.[3] As an under-the-radar high school player, Demps initially received no college scholarship offers. He worked as a dishwasher to fund his participation in AAU basketball, which provided the exposure that eventually led to Division I recruitment opportunities.[3] Demps attended Mount Eden High School in Hayward, California, where he honed his basketball skills as a guard.[2] This AAU experience paved the way for his recruitment to the University of the Pacific, where he enrolled in the fall of 1988 for the start of coach Bob Thomason's first season.[3]College career
Dell Demps enrolled at the University of the Pacific in 1988, where he played as a guard for the Pacific Tigers men's basketball team over four seasons from 1988 to 1992.[6] His college career marked a period of steady development, transitioning from a rotational player as a freshman to a leading scorer and team leader in his later years.[4] Demps' statistical contributions grew progressively across his seasons. As a freshman in 1988-89, he appeared in 28 games with 17 starts, averaging 6.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while playing 20.8 minutes.[6] In his sophomore year of 1989-90, he became a full-time starter, boosting his output to 15.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over 29 games and 34.2 minutes per contest, leading the team in scoring.[6] His junior season in 1990-91 saw further improvement, with averages of 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 28 games at 34.9 minutes each.[6] As a senior in 1991-92, Demps peaked with 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game across 30 games and 34.8 minutes, ranking second in Big West Conference scoring and leading the league in three-point attempts (209).[6][7]| Season | Games Played | Minutes/Game | Points/Game | Rebounds/Game | Assists/Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-89 (Freshman) | 28 | 20.8 | 6.6 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| 1989-90 (Sophomore) | 29 | 34.2 | 15.9 | 4.7 | 3.3 |
| 1990-91 (Junior) | 28 | 34.9 | 18.8 | 5.5 | 3.3 |
| 1991-92 (Senior) | 30 | 34.8 | 19.0 | 5.8 | 3.1 |
| Career | 115 | 31.2 | 15.2 | 4.9 | 3.0 |