BASKETBALL | CONTRIBUTOR TO SPORT • 1960-62

Jerry Colangelo played basketball at Illinois from 1960-62 before embarking on a long and influential career in professional sports as a coach, general manager and even as team owner. Colangelo is the former owner of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Arizona Sandsharks, Arizona Rattlers and Arizona Diamondbacks. He became youngest general manager in professional sports in 1968 after being hired by Suns. Colangelo has served as Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as many leadership roles with the NBA, MLB, charitable foundations and community organizations. He is a four-time NBA Executive of the Year selection and was named as one of Phoenix's 15 all-time most influential citizens and the Most Influential Sports Figure in Arizona for the 20th century by the Arizona Republic. Colangelo was elected to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004. Colangelo was named Director of USA Basketball in 2005 and helped lead the U.S. National Team to Olympic gold in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 before retiring from this position following the Tokyo Games.