Jameer Nelson, left, played 14 seasons in the NBA before beginning a front-office career with the Sixers organization. Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers are promoting former Saint Joseph’s star Jameer Nelson to executive vice president of basketball operations, league sources confirmed Sunday.
The move makes Nelson, a Philadelphia-area native who played the bulk of his 14-year NBA career with the Orlando Magic, the second-in-charge in the Sixers’ front office, behind team president Mike Gansey.
Nelson, as previously reported by The Athletic, was a strong candidate for the top job, which opened when the 76ers moved on from Daryl Morey. Nelson took on a primary role with Philadelphia’s front office in 2025-26, earning respect and admiration within the organization throughout the season. The Sixers promoted Nelson to Sixers assistant GM in May 2025; before then, he worked in the front office of the franchise’s G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. Nelson became an assistant GM for Delaware in 2020 and was promoted to general manager in 2023.
According to sources, Elton Brand will take a new role with the franchise but will not return as general manager. Assistant GM Prosper Karangwa, sources said, has agreed to a multiyear contract extension that will keep him with the franchise in the same role.
Nelson, a 6-foot point guard, played four seasons at Saint Joseph’s and was the 2004 consensus national player of the year in his senior year, when he led the Hawks to a 27-0 regular season. The Orlando Magic selected him with the 20th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. An All-Star with the Magic in 2009, Nelson also played for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans and Detroit Pistons.
Jun 7, 2026
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