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Pistons name Bower as GM
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Jeff Bower was hired Tuesday by the Detroit Pistons as their general manager.
The team did not diclose terms of the contract. Bower joins the Pistons after serving last season as the head coach at Marist College, where his team finished with a 12-19 record.
“I’m pleased to welcome Jeff Bower to the Detroit Pistons organization,” Pistons coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy said. “Jeff brings great basketball knowledge and NBA experience to our organization and he’s enjoyed success in building teams. He’s a great evaluator of talent and Jeff will bring solid leadership to our front office.”
Bower has NBA experience as general manager of the Hornets from 2001 to 2003 and 2005 to 2010. He also was an advance scout, director of scouting/assistant coach and assistant general manager for the Hornets before he became the GM.
“I’m excited to join the Pistons organization and play a role in helping this franchise build on its great basketball tradition,” Bower said. “I look forward to working with Stan, his staff and everyone in the Pistons organization to put together a team that the community can support and be proud of. I’m also excited about ownership’s commitment to winning and their demonstrated commitment to the community.”
Working under Van Gundy, Bower will take over the management side of the team, which will likely include leading negotiations with free agents and rookies and overseeing the scouting department, among other duties.
Van Gundy also reportedly considered former NBA president of basketball operations Stu Jackson and former Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith.
