Former Tom Izzo and Jud Heathcote assistant coach hired as Phoenix Suns general manager

[ASFN Admin]

There are a ton of connections between Michigan State basketball and the NBA's Phoenix Suns, with former walk-on Mat Ishbia buying the franchise in 2023. Now, those connections are growing stronger.

The Suns are moving on from James Jones, who had been the team's general manager since 2019, and are promoting a former Tom Izzo and Jud Heathcote assistant into the position. Brian Gregory will assume the role as the team's general manager, getting promoted from his previous role as vice president.

Gregory got his start in collegiate coaching under Heathcote, spending time on the Spartans bench from 1990-1996 before returning to Izzo's bench from 1999-2003 where he coached Ishbia. He then spent 2003-2023 as a collegiate head coach, spending time with Dayton, Georgia Tech and South Florida.

Following his college coaching career, ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, Gregory was hired by the Suns as the vice president of player programming. After just one season in that role, he has been promoted as the team's general manager.

The Phoenix Suns are naming a new head of basketball operations, promoting vice president Brian Gregory as the franchise’s new general manager, sources tell ESPN. James Jones, the Suns GM since 2019, will transition to a role as senior advisor for the franchise. pic.twitter.com/UDaxercJIg

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 1, 2025

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Phoenix Suns hire former MSU basketball assistant as general manager

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