33-Year-Old GM Hired: Ryan McDonough Signs On With Phoenix Suns (VIDEO)
A 33-year-old GM has been hired by the Phoenix Suns, according to reports this week.
Boston Celtics executive Ryan McDonough will step up to take up the role of the Sun's next General Manager, replacing Lance Blanks, who was fired on April 22 after failing to take the Suns to the playoffs over the past three seasons.
Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said Tuesday, "Ryan distinguished himself among an impressive group of candidates for our GM position. His natural leadership and communication skills will serve the Suns well. And, his prodigious work ethic and ability to identify talent will enable us to take full advantage of the 10 draft choices, including six in the first round, that we have over the next three years. We welcome his championship pedigree to our organization."
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McDonough has been in the sport for a long time despite his relative young age. He worked his way up from a 23 year old special assistant to basketball operations in Boston, and later became assistant general manager.
He also has worked extensively as a scout, working four years in the Celtics' video scouting department, as well as another year as director of amateur scouting and as director of international scouting.
In 2010 McDonough was promoted to assistant GM, working with president of basketball operations Danny Ainge.
He is also credited with helping the Celtics bring in All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo with a draft-day trade in 2006.
However, already many have commented that McDonough's new job will be a tough challenge, with the Suns turning over their roster during the offseason. Recently they have traded away two-time league MVP point guard Steve Nash to the Lakers. They also allowed the ever-popular Grant Hill to sign with the Clippers as a free agent.
Here are some clips of the Phoenix Suns through the past season:
