Joe Dumars

As Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations for the National Basketball Association, Joe Dumars oversees all Basketball Operations matters, including the enforcement of playing rules and interpretations, conduct and discipline, and policies and procedures relating to the operation of games.

Prior to joining the league office in May 2022, Dumars worked three seasons with the Sacramento Kings, the last two as Chief Strategy Officer. In his most recent role, he helped drive strategy across the organization’s entire portfolio of activities, including business, basketball, new ventures, entertainment and real estate.

Dumars previously served 15 seasons as a basketball executive with the Detroit Pistons (1999-2014), including the final 14 as President of Basketball Operations. With Dumars overseeing player personnel decisions, the Pistons won an NBA championship in 2004, made six consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals and recorded at least 50 victories in seven straight seasons. He was named NBA Basketball Executive of the Year for the 2002-03 season.

Dumars joined the Pistons’ front office after a decorated 14-year playing career in the NBA, all with Detroit, which selected him in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft. A six-time NBA All-Star selection, three-time All-NBA Team honoree and five-time NBA All-Defensive Team member, Dumars helped the Pistons win back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990 and was named MVP of the 1989 Finals. In international competition, Dumars won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 1994 FIBA Basketball World Cup. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

The NBA Sportsmanship Award is named for Dumars, with the Joe Dumars Trophy presented annually to the NBA player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court. Dumars was the inaugural winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award and also received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his outstanding service and dedication to the community.

In addition to his success as an NBA player and executive, Dumars served as President of the Basketball Division for Independent Sports & Entertainment, an integrated sports, media, entertainment and management company, from 2017-19. He also founded the automotive supply company Detroit Technologies Inc. and Joe Dumars Fieldhouse, an indoor sports and entertainment complex with two locations in the Detroit area.

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Dumars holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from McNeese State University, where he was a four-time selection to the All-Southland Conference First Team. Dumars is a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.