The University of Memphis men’s basketball head coach Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway announced Thursday the hiring of Gabriel Harris as the program’s first-ever general manager.
Harris arrives in Memphis following a successful tenure as general manager of the Stockton Kings, the NBA G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. In his role, Harris was directly responsible for roster construction, contract negotiations, team management and day-to-day basketball operations helping guide the franchise to the 2025 NBA G League Championship.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gabriel Harris to Memphis,” said Hardaway. “Gabriel brings a modern approach and new perspective to roster management, along with valuable experience at the professional level. His leadership and vision will be instrumental as we continue to build a championship-caliber program.”
Stockton is currently competing in the NBA G League Playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and advanced to the conference semifinals on Wednesday night. The G League playoffs will continue through the Finals on April 13. Harris will join the Memphis program following the conclusion of Stockton’s postseason run.
Harris spent three seasons with Stockton, including the last two as general manager after joining the organization as assistant general manager prior to the 2023-24 season. During his time as assistant general manager, he helped construct a roster that produced the G League’s best regular season record at 24-10.
“Sacramento and Stockton have been incredibly special,” said Harris. “I have a deep appreciation for the Sacramento Kings organization and everyone with the Stockton Kings who made it feel like home. I’m proud of what we built and grateful for the people who were part of it.
I’m excited for this next chapter with the University of Memphis. The history, expectations, and tradition of Memphis basketball are what drew me to this opportunity, and I look forward to working with Coach Hardaway to help build a highly successful program.”
Under Harris’ leadership, Stockton saw multiple players advance to the NBA, including Mason Jones, who earned a two-way contract with Sacramento, Jaylen Nowell, who signed with both the Memphis Grizzlies and Detroit Pistons, and Keon Ellis, whose contract was converted from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract with the Kings. Skal Labissiere, Terry Taylor, DaQuan Jeffries, Isaac Jones and Dylan Cardwell also earned NBA 10-day contracts while with Stockton.
Prior to his time in Stockton, Harris spent nine years with adidas as a marketing executive, where he developed strategies across the Yeezy, grassroots basketball and basketball footwear divisions.
As general manager at Memphis, Harris will play a key role in roster management, recruiting operations, revenue share strategy and player personnel evaluation, while working closely with the coaching staff to support the program’s overall vision.
A former four-year men’s basketball student-athlete at Stanford, Harris played under head coach Johnny Dawkins from 2009-12. During his time at Stanford, he earned Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention honors and was a member of the 2012 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship team.
Harris graduated with a degree in behavioral psychology and later completed his master’s degree in digital communication. He also earned an Applied Data Science certificate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Harris began his professional playing career with the Pee Dee Vipers of the Premier Basketball League, where he earned Player of the Week honors three times during the 2013-14 season.
Harris joins Hardaway’s staff that includes recent hires Tony Madlock, Sean Mock and Trevor DeLoach.
