CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Jim Tanner, a seasoned NBA agent and founder of Tandem Sports + Entertainment, has been appointed executive director and general manager of the University of North Carolina men’s basketball program, UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham announced Tuesday.
Tanner, a 1990 graduate of UNC, brings nearly three decades of experience in professional basketball, during which he has represented over 70 NBA players. In his new role, he will oversee roster management, contract negotiations, hiring of scouting and analytics personnel, and the development of player improvement initiatives.
Over his career, Tanner has worked with 40 first-round NBA Draft picks—including 12 who went in the top five—and six Hall of Famers, among them UNC legend Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, Tamika Catchings, and Dominique Wilkins. He has negotiated contracts totaling more than $1 billion.
Tanner has also guided the careers of 17 former Tar Heels, such as Carter; Final Four Most Outstanding Players Joel Berry II, Wayne Ellington, and Sean May; All-Americans Raymond Felton, Tyler Hansbrough, John Henson, Justin Jackson, and Luke Maye; and top-10 picks Marvin Williams and Brandan Wright.
“My family has deep ties to Carolina, and this is a full-circle moment for me,” said Tanner. “College basketball is evolving rapidly with NIL, collectives, and the transfer portal reshaping the landscape. I’m excited to bring my experience to help Carolina stay ahead in recruiting and player development, both domestically and internationally, while upholding the tradition and values that define UNC basketball.”
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