The University of Dayton announced Friday that former NBA All-Star and Flyers great Jim Paxson has been appointed senior advisor for basketball operations.
Paxson, a 1979 Dayton graduate, will assist the men’s basketball program with player evaluation, roster construction and personnel strategy. “I’m honored and excited once again to be a part of UD basketball,” Paxson said in a statement released by the school.
Storied Collegiate Career
During his time with the Flyers, Paxson was a three-time team MVP, a USBWA All-American as a senior and earned a spot on the school’s All-Century Team. His 1,945 career points rank fifth in program history, and he remains the only Dayton men’s player to receive both All-American and Academic All-American honors.
NBA Playing and Front-Office Experience
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Paxson 12th overall in the 1979 NBA Draft. Over 11 professional seasons he became a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1984.
After retiring as a player, Paxson moved into executive roles. He worked in the Trail Blazers’ front office before serving as vice president of basketball operations and general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1998 to 2005. From 2006 to 2024 he was a consultant, scout and director of pro personnel for the Chicago Bulls.
Administration Welcomes Added Expertise
Dayton vice president and athletic director Neil Sullivan said he and head coach Anthony Grant began collaborating with Paxson last year on issues such as player retention and evaluation. “As the new settlement terms took effect on July 1, it felt like the right time to formalize our relationship,” Sullivan noted, referring to the recent shift to direct revenue sharing in college athletics.
Paxson added that he has been impressed by Dayton’s recent track record of producing NBA-caliber talent and hopes his front-office background will guide current players as they pursue professional careers.
Source: Basketball Insiders
