The Athletic reported that Justin Bochmeyer, who has worked in development programs in the NBA, MLS and college lacrosse, will be the Brooklyn Nets' new director of basketball operations. He replaces Ryan Gisriel, who was officially named executive vice president of basketball operations by the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday.
According to Mike Volkunov,
The Brooklyn Nets have added Justin Bochmeyer to their front office as the new director of basketball operations, according to league sources. Bochmeier served as general manager of the league's development program, MLS NEXT, and was also involved in the NBA's international basketball operations.
From 2018 to 2023, Bochmeyer worked for the NBA, leading the league's strategic efforts in international basketball operations. Specifically, he was instrumental in “leading the significant growth and success of the NBA Academy program,” MLS reported on Basketball Africa when he was named MLS NEXT's first GM in February 2023.
Bokmeyer helped create and launch the Basketball Africa League, the NBA's African Development League and the continent's first North American-based sports league. Bochmeyer's duties included overseeing basketball operations and coordinating teams from 12 African countries.
Prior to that, he spent two years as director of lacrosse operations at his alma mater, West Point. Bochmeyer also played professional lacrosse for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse. (Of course, Joe Tsai is a leading proponent of pro lacrosse.)
Mr. Bockmeyer is also a veteran of Iraq. Also in other places. His bio states that the West Point graduate spent 11 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. During that time, he served as a platoon leader and executive officer at Fort Carson, Colorado, and Nasiriyah, Iraq. He also earned his MBA from Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business.
The Nets also need to fill the assistant GM position vacated by Jeff Peterson, who was hired as the Hornets' GM. B.J. Johnson, who has led the Nets' draft efforts as director of player evaluation for the past three years, is considered the top candidate for the position.