NBA hires Kiki VanDeWeghe as VP of basketball operations

Kiki VanDeWeghe spent five seasons as player in Portland. (Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) By Ben Golliver The NBA announced Wednesday that former NBA

Kiki VanDeWeghe spent five seasons as player in Portland. (Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images)

By Ben Golliver

The NBA announced Wednesday that former NBA player, executive and coach Kiki VanDeWeghe has been hired as the league's vice president of basketball operations. He will report to Stu Jackson, the league's executive vice president of basketball operations.

In his new role, VanDeWeghe will be involved in a broad range of basketball matters, including the development of playing rules and interpretations; game analytics; disciplinary matters; and policies and procedures relating to the operation of NBA games. He will also serve as a key interface between the league and the teams, drawing upon his years of experience as a general manager and coach. VanDeWeghe will report to Jackson.

“Kiki has a lifetime of basketball experience, including an NBA career spanning more than three decades as a player, coach, and general manager, which provides him with a tremendous amount of insight into our game,” Jackson said. “We’re looking forward to drawing upon his expertise on a wide range of matters involving our game.”

VanDeWeghe, 54, spent 13 years in the NBA with the Nuggets, Blazers, Knicks and Clippers, averaging 19.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. A two-time All-Star, VanDeWeghe served as GM of the Nuggets from 2001-2006 and the Nets from 2008-2010, where he also coached on an interim basis during the 2009-10 season, amassing a 12-52 record. VanDeWeghe has also served as a television analyst in recent years.

The NBA hired former NBA referee Don Vaden as vice president, director of officials in 2011.

announced in October 2012 that that he will step down from his post