Bob Myers: From UCLA Bruin to NBA Executive and Beyond
Robert Michael "Bob" Myers, born on March 31, 1975, is an accomplished American sports executive with a diverse and impressive career trajectory. From his days as a UCLA Bruins basketball player to his leadership role with the Golden State Warriors and his current ventures in sports media and ownership advisory, Myers has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the sports landscape.
Early Life and Basketball Career at UCLA
Myers grew up in Danville, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, and attended Monte Vista High School, where he lettered in basketball. Despite limited interest from college recruiters, Myers's determination led him to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he majored in business and economics. He joined the Bruins basketball team as a walk-on in 1993 under coach Jim Harrick.
Initially envisioning himself as a four-year practice player, Myers earned an athletic scholarship in 1994-95, a season that culminated in a national championship for the Bruins. Although his scoring was limited (averaging just 0.3 points that season), Myers experienced a moment of recognition when he appeared on the commemorative cover of Sports Illustrated, lifting teammate Tyus Edney after Edney's game-winning basket against Missouri in the NCAA Tournament.
Myers's playing time increased steadily throughout his college career. By his junior year, he had gained significant muscle and contributed more on the court. A standout performance against Oregon State saw him achieve career highs in points (20) and minutes played (22). In his final season (1996-97), Myers started in four games as UCLA advanced to the Elite Eight. His time with the Bruins, including the 1995 NCAA championship, provided a foundation for his future success. He also served as a radio commentator for UCLA basketball for two seasons.
Transition to Sports Agency and Legal Education
Upon graduating from UCLA, Myers pursued a career in sports agency representation. Drawing on his experience as a former player, he connected with athletes and understood their roles and concerns. Myers gained valuable experience as an intern for Arn Tellem, where he learned about contracts, negotiations, and the legal aspects of athlete representation.
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Recognizing the importance of legal knowledge in his field, Myers enrolled in Loyola Law School's Evening Program. He balanced a full-time work schedule with his studies, finding that his classes directly benefited his work as an agent. He recalls Professor Lary Lawrence's Contracts class being particularly relevant to his negotiations for players. The Evening Program demanded balance and organization, skills that proved valuable in his subsequent career. Myers also remembers the pro bono work he did as a student, retaining a spirit of social justice. He maintains contact with some of his professors, including Laurie Levenson and David W. Wolf.
Rise to General Manager of the Golden State Warriors
In April 2011, Myers joined the Golden State Warriors as an assistant general manager, initially expected to learn from general manager Larry Riley. However, just 11 months later, on April 24, 2012, Myers was promoted to general manager.
Under Myers's leadership, the Warriors experienced a period of remarkable success. A strong draft in 2012 and key acquisitions in 2012-13 led to a playoff appearance, where they advanced to the second round. Following the 2014-15 season, Myers was named the NBA Executive of the Year. This recognition stemmed from his pivotal decisions, including hiring coach Steve Kerr and extending Klay Thompson's contract. Myers and the Warriors went on to win the 2015 NBA Finals, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Prior to the 2016-17 season, Myers' title was expanded to include president of basketball operations, reporting directly to majority owner Joe Lacob. He earned his second NBA Executive of the Year award after signing Kevin Durant, David West, Zaza Pachulia, and JaVale McGee in the 2016 off-season. The Warriors achieved a league-best 67-15 record and won the 2017 NBA Finals, avenging their previous loss to the Cavaliers. The team's dominance continued with back-to-back titles in the 2017-18 season, securing another victory over the Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals. Under his leadership, the teams he assembled made seven straight trips to the NBA playoffs and six trips to the finals. During his tenure with the Warriors, Myers was twice named NBA Executive of the Year and led the team to four NBA championships.
Some notable transactions during his tenure include:
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- July 31, 2015: Traded Gerald Wallace to the Philadelphia 76ers for Jason Thompson.
- July 7, 2016: Traded Andrew Bogut and a 2020 2nd round draft pick (Tyrell Terry was later selected) to the Dallas Mavericks for a 2019 2nd round draft pick.
- June 20, 2019: Traded cash and a 2024 2nd round draft pick (Pelle Larsson was later selected) to the Atlanta Hawks for a 2019 2nd round draft pick (Eric Paschall was later selected).
- June 21, 2019: Traded Miye Oni to the Utah Jazz for cash.
- July 7, 2019: Traded Andre Iguodala, cash and a 2024 1st round draft pick (Bub Carrington was later selected) to the Memphis Grizzlies for Julian Washburn.
- July 7, 2019: Traded Kevin Durant and a 2025 2nd round draft pick (Javon Small was later selected) to the Brooklyn Nets for Treveon Graham, Shabazz Napier and D'Angelo Russell.
- July 8, 2019: Traded Treveon Graham, Shabazz Napier and cash to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Lior Eliyahu.
- August 3, 2019: Signed Draymond Green to a multi-year contract.
- January 25, 2020: Traded Willie Cauley-Stein to the Dallas Mavericks for a 2020 2nd round draft pick (Justinian Jessup was later selected).
- February 6, 2020: Traded Jacob Evans, D'Angelo Russell and Omari Spellman to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins, a 2021 1st round draft pick (Jonathan Kuminga was later selected) and a 2021 2nd round draft pick (Miles McBride was later selected).
- February 6, 2020: Traded Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson to the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2020 2nd round draft pick (Nico Mannion was later selected), a 2021 2nd round draft pick (Aaron Wiggins was later selected) and a 2022 2nd round draft pick (Tyrese Martin was later selected).
- February 8, 2020: Signed Zach Norvell Jr.
- November 22, 2020: Traded a 2021 2nd round draft pick (Miles McBride was later selected) and a 2021 2nd round draft pick (Aaron Wiggins was later selected) to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Kelly Oubre Jr..
- March 25, 2021: Traded Brad Wanamaker, cash and a 2022 2nd round draft pick to the Charlotte Hornets for a 2025 2nd round draft pick.
- March 25, 2021: Traded Marquese Chriss and cash to the San Antonio Spurs for Cady Lalane.
- August 7, 2021: Traded Eric Paschall to the Utah Jazz.
- October 13, 2021: Signed L.J.
- June 23, 2022: Selected Patrick Baldwin Jr.
- July 6, 2022: Signed Patrick Baldwin Jr.
- February 9, 2023: As part of a 4-team trade, the Golden State Warriors traded a 2026 2nd round draft pick and a 2028 2nd round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers; the Golden State Warriors traded James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons; the Atlanta Hawks traded a 2026 2nd round draft pick and a 2028 2nd round draft pick to the Golden State Warriors; the Atlanta Hawks traded a 2023 2nd round draft pick (Rayan Rupert was later selected), a 2024 2nd round draft pick (Oso Ighodaro was later selected) and a 2025 2nd round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers; the Detroit Pistons traded Saddiq Bey to the Atlanta Hawks; the Detroit Pistons traded Kevin Knox to the Portland Trail Blazers; and the Portland Trail Blazers traded Gary Payton II to the Golden State Warriors.
Post-Warriors Career: ESPN, HBSE, and UC Board of Regents
In May 2023, Myers stepped down from his role with the Warriors. He then joined ESPN and ABC as a studio and in-game analyst, appearing on NBA Countdown and NBA Today.
In October 2025, Myers transitioned to Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) as president. Earlier, in January 2024, he was involved in advising on the Washington Commanders' overhaul. He was also appointed to the University of California Board of Regents in November 2024, with a term expiring in March 2036.
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