The role of General Manager is rapidly becoming essential in college basketball. With the rise of the transfer portal, NIL, and constant roster turnover, programs need someone focused on roster strategy, recruiting coordination, and player support beyond the court. The GM acts as the program’s front-office leader—blending scouting, relationship-building, and business acumen to keep teams competitive.
First, full credit goes to Ben Swain on X, who inspired this article.
Saw where Virginia is also going the GM route. I know I chirp UVA a lot, but there's a move they could make that would be an INCREDIBLE hire. Cory Alexander. Proud UVA alum. Coached everyone when they were younger. Knows everyone's mom. Would get him off of my TV. Win-win-win.
— Ben Swain (@TheBenSwain) March 25, 2025
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Duke has already embraced this model with Rachel Baker as GM. A former Nike executive, Baker has helped modernize Duke’s approach by managing NIL, supporting player development, and freeing up head coach Jon Scheyer to focus on coaching. Her impact has kept Duke at the forefront of recruiting and national relevance in a changing landscape.
With Ryan Odom now leading Virginia Basketball, there's a unique opportunity to follow a similar blueprint. One name that makes perfect sense for UVA’s first GM is Cory Alexander—a former Cavalier star, NBA veteran, and ESPN analyst. Cory brings deep basketball knowledge, recruiting connections, and a modern understanding of today’s game.
He’s already well connected in grassroots circles, understands NIL from a national perspective, and carries the credibility that resonates with players and families. Most importantly, he knows UVA’s culture—and how to build on it in this new era. If Virginia wants to thrive in the next chapter, Cory Alexander would be an ideal GM to help lead the way.
