For years, the concept of a sports ‘front office’ was largely confined to professional leagues. However, with college sports evolving, players now have unprecedented opportunities to assume roles similar to general managers. This transformation is particularly evident in men’s college basketball, where names like Stephen Curry and Trae Young have stepped into significant positions at their former schools.

Curry’s recent foray as an assistant GM at Davidson and Young’s similar role at Oklahoma highlight this trend. Both players not only aim to build successful collegiate teams but also serve as influential figures and boosters for their programs.

This article explores the potential candidates among current NBA stars who could join their alma maters as GMs, including big names like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum.

Colleges and Candidates:

• Duke: Jayson Tatum - Career earnings: $155.5M
  Currently playing in the Final Four, Tatum’s remarkable success in the NBA makes him a standout candidate for his alma mater, where he already has a substantial relationship with current coach Jon Scheyer.

• Kentucky: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Career earnings: $117M An MVP frontrunner, Gilgeous-Alexander’s close ties with his former school make him a compelling candidate as well.

• Texas: Kevin Durant - Career earnings: $447.8M
  Durant’s contributions, such as his $3 million donation to Texas, add weight to his potential as a successful GM.

• UCLA: Russell Westbrook - Career earnings: $345.8M
  A strong contender with deep connections to the basketball program, Westbrook is expected to contribute significantly.

Other potential candidates include:

• Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero, Kyrie Irving
• Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Maxey, and many more stars with strong college ties could also make impactful contributions if given the chance to manage their former teams.