NBA appoints Sierra Leonean investment banker Victor Williams to head its African unit

The new CEO of NBA Africa will resume duties on August 17.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has appointed Sierra Leonean investment banker Victor Williams to head its African unit.

Williams was announced as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NBA Africa to develop basketball and its business on the African continent.

“In this newly-created role, Williams will oversee the league’s basketball and business development initiatives in Africa,” the statement announcing the appointments read.

The Harvard-trained banker will be expected “to grow the popularity of basketball and the NBA across the continent through grassroots development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and more.”

Williams in the past five years has led corporate and investment banking at Standard Bank Group, which is Africa’s largest bank by assets.

He first joined the bank in 2011 having previously worked as an investment banker in the United States with Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo Securities.

His appointment as NBA Africa CEO kicks off on Monday, August 17, 2020, and he will be based in Johannesburg.

“Becoming the NBA’s Africa CEO will “allow me to blend my professional experience building businesses in Africa with my passion for the sport of basketball,” Williams said in the statement.

This latest appointment by the NBA, strengthens its involvement in Africa following the launch of NBA Africa League in collaboration with the Switzerland-based International Basketball Federation.