Tommy Sheppard

ommy Sheppard is in his 28th year of service in the NBA. Sheppard was promoted in November from general manager to President and General Manager of the Wizards. He is responsible for all basketball decisions for the Wizards, the G League’s Capital City Go-Go and the NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming, with the coaching staff, front office, basketball analytics staff and scouts for all teams reporting to him.

Sheppard has earned a reputation as one of the league’s most innovative and creative executives. In his first draft as general manager, he selected Rui Hachimura with the ninth overall pick. Hachimura was selected to the 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie Second Team, becoming the fifth player overall in franchise history to be selected to the team. Sheppard followed that selection in 2020 with Deni Avdija, who was selected as a member of the Rising Stars Challenge alongside Hachimura, although the game was not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 18 years in the Wizards’ front office, his role included responsibilities with salary cap management, negotiations, draft preparation and talent evaluation of collegiate athletes and professionals, both domestically and abroad. Sheppard also served an assisting role in the recruitment and evaluation of free agents, statistical evaluation of NBA players, the hiring of coaches and personnel and monitoring the Wizards’ efforts in the NBA’s Player Programs. During his tenure with the team, he has been tasked with organizing the Wizards’ training camp and preseason schedules, overseeing the athletic training, strength training, video, technology and equipment areas for the team, and directing in-arena renovations to areas including the Wizards’ locker room, players’ lounge, family lounge and front offices.

Prior to his arrival in Washington in 2003, Sheppard was a member of the Denver Nuggets organization since 1994, serving as the Nuggets’ Senior Director of Team Services and Player Relations. With Denver, he oversaw all internal and external communications functions and served as the club’s primary spokesperson. He also scouted internationally and evaluated high school, collegiate and minor league talent. For his efforts in Denver and overall contributions to the communications efforts of the NBA, Sheppard was honored with the prestigious Splaver/McHugh “Tribute to Excellence” Award in 2010, which is given annually by the NBA Public Relations Directors’ Association to a current or former member of the NBA public relations family who has demonstrated an outstanding level of performance and service during his or her NBA career.