Former Emerson player Sam Presti was named general manager of the Seattle Supersonics on Thursday, June 7. He had been vice president and assistant GM for the San Antonio Spurs.

"I am extremely pleased to welcome Sam Presti to the Sonics as our new general manager," Sonics chairman Clay Bennett said in a team release. "He represents a new generation of NBA executives. He brings solid NBA management and basketball experience as well as a new, fresh, energetic approach. I am confident we are hiring the right person at the right time for this organization."

Presti, who was featured in Around the Nation in January 2004, joined the San Antonio Spurs in 2000 and was named the team's basketball special assistant after a year. In September 2002, he was promoted to assistant director of scouting. Presti was named the Spurs director of player personnel in September 2003 and became assistant GM two years later. During his time with the Spurs, they made the playoffs every season and won two NBA championships.

D3hoops.com All-American Rob Hennigan, also an Emerson grad, remains with the team as operations assistant.

Presti led the design and implementation of the Spurs scouting database, a system that is now being used by numerous teams throughout the NBA.

He earned his bachelor's degree in 2000 in communications, politics and law from Emerson, becoming the first Rhodes Scholar nominee in the history of the school. Presti, who averaged 14 points per game for Emerson, helped lead the Lions to 39 wins in two seasons.

"I am thrilled with the opportunity to join the Sonics organization," Presti said. "I am sold on the ownership and am convinced they are committed to building a successful team and organization. I look forward to developing a culture and defining an identity for the future of Sonics basketball. We want to initiate a process and institute a plan that will result in sustained success for the team and our fans. We need to define this franchise as one built on professionalism, teamwork and integrity."