FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 06/28/18 CONTACT: Billy Hartman | [email protected] | (814) 790-5600

DEREK PIERCE NAMED ERIE BAYHAWKS GENERAL MANAGER

ERIE, PA – The Club has announced the promotion of Derek Pierce to General Manager of the Erie BayHawks, Atlanta’s NBA G League affiliate. In addition to his general manager responsibilities, Pierce will maintain his current role within the Hawks basketball operations team.

“We are excited to have Derek take over as General Manager of the BayHawks. He has earned this position, working his way up throughout his time in the league and is well-respected by his peers for his work ethic and eye for talent,” said Hawks General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk. “Derek understands how much we value the G League and will do a great job leading basketball operations for Erie.”

Pierce, 45, joined the Hawks at the beginning of the 2017-18 season as Atlanta’s Pro Player Personnel Scout. Prior to his role with the Hawks, Pierce spent the previous eight seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves as an advance, college and NBA personnel scout. Before joining the Timberwolves, Pierce spent three seasons as an advance scout for the Washington Wizards and two seasons as an advance scout for the Golden State Warriors. He also served as the ’ video coordinator for five seasons.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity given to me by the Atlanta and Erie families. I can’t wait to get to work and continue to build off last year’s success,” Pierce said. “The G League is an invaluable resource and we’ll continue to utilize it extensively like we have in recent years. Right now, my number one goal is to work with Coach Pierce to find a head coach who shares the same vision and passion for developing players and establishing a culture of hard-working and high character players that make both the fans of Atlanta and Erie proud.”

In 2017-18, Atlanta and Erie’s first season in a one-on-one affiliation, the BayHawks captured their first-ever division title. Erie registered a 28-22 (.560) regular season record, which included a 10-2 (.833) clip against division opponents. The BayHawks won 17 of their final 24 regular season games, clinching a playoff berth for the first time since the 2011- 12 season. Erie produced three NBA Call-Ups during the 2017-18 campaign – Tyler Cavanaugh, Jaylen Morris and Jeremy Evans. All three players were called up to the Atlanta Hawks. Additionally, six current Hawks were assigned to the BayHawks last season.

A native of Traverse City, MI, Pierce holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Michigan State University and a Master’s in Sports Administration from Florida State University.

Pierce and his wife Madeline have two daughters, Alexandra and Helena.

The Erie BayHawks, presented by LECOM, are the NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club. The NBA G League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. The BayHawks, established in 2008, play their home games at and were one of the first teams in the G League to establish a marquee partnership. The BayHawks marquee partner, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), LECOM School of Dental Medicine and LECOM School of Pharmacy offer innovative and affordable education in osteopathic medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. From campuses in Erie, , Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Bradenton, Florida, LECOM provides student-centered pathways to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. LECOM physicians serve as the BayHawks medical staff, the team practices at the state-of-the-art LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness , and together the BayHawks and LECOM promote education, health and wellness throughout Erie County.

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