HOUSTON, TX – The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the official alumni organization for former players from the NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotters, announced that long-time NBA coach and player Kenny Gattison has been selected as its new Vice President of Membership and Player Programming.
Gattison, a long-time NBRPA member who served as Assistant Coach for the NOLA Hornets, also served as an NBA assistant coach with the New Jersey Nets, New Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns. Gattison was also a former member of the NBPA’s Executive Committee, an assistant coach in the 2008 NBA All-Star Game and in 2009 Gattison was selected after a comprehensive search conducted by an NBRPA Search Committee and NBRPA President/CEO in which all NBRPA members were invited to apply.
“I am excited to welcome Kenny onto the NBRPA staff family and look forward to closely working with him as we continue to grow NBRPA membership, increase beneficial programming for all NBRPA members, and strengthen our external relationships with all our partners, including the NBA, NBPA, WNBA, WNBPA, Harlem Globetrotters, D-League and others,” said NBRPA President/CEO Arnie D. Fielkow. “We had many highly qualified applicants and I wish to thank each of them for their time, interest and ideas.”
Gattison was selected as a Team USA head coach for its summer developmental league. He enjoyed a 10-year NBA playing career having been selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 3rd round of the 1986 NBA draft and played for Phoenix, Charlotte, Vancouver, Orlando and Utah.
Gattison has also held several business positions during his professional career, including serving as President/Managing Partner of Bernard Sands Credit Services and President of Gattison Management. Gattison is a 1986 graduate of Old Dominion University, the Sun Belt Conference’s all-time rebound leader and an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.
“The NBRPA Board of Directors is excited to have Kenny join our staff,” said Chairman of the Board Thurl Bailey. “We are appreciative of all those individuals that applied and are confident that Kenny will greatly add to what is already an outstanding NBRPA staff.”
“I want to thank NBRPA President/CEO Arnie Fielkow, the NBRPA Search Committee and Board of Directors for providing me with this great opportunity,” said Gattison. “I look forward to working closely with Arnie and his talented staff in continuing the great success the NBRPA has realized the past 5 years and continuing to positively assist our entire membership.”
A native of Wilmington, NC, Gattison currently resides in Buckeye, AZ with his wife Harriet.
