The New York Knicks are hiring CAA's William Wesley as their executive vice president/senior adviser, the team announced Wednesday.
Wesley, commonly known as "World Wide Wes," has a long history with Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose. He has built relationships with many of the NBA's high-profile players and owners during his time working alongside Rose at CAA.
"We are very excited to announce the hiring of William Wesley, someone that I have known for over 40 years and consider to be family," Rose said in a statement. "He is one of the most well-connected and respected people in the basketball community and he will be a tremendous asset and resource to both myself and the New York Knicks."
Wesley is largely credited with steering LeBron James toward Rose and CAA after James separated from his agent, Aaron Goodwin, in 2005. He has also been associated with Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson and former All-Star wing Richard Hamilton.
"My long history with and respect for Jim Dolan and Leon Rose, as well as the chance to be part of the New York Knicks, made this an opportunity I wanted to pursue," Wesley said. "I look forward to joining the current staff and moving the organization toward a successful future."
Although Wesley was previously without an official role with the Knicks, he was influential in their wholesale front-office changes under Rose's watch, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
There are 11 known candidates for New York's head coaching vacancy. Tom Thibodeau, who is reportedly the front-runner, was Wesley's client when he was an agent at CAA.