Alabama State University named Dominique Wilkins the general manager of its men’s basketball program Tuesday evening during the school’s annual Basketball Tipoff Reception, giving the Hornets a Hall of Fame figure in a newly important college basketball role.
The appointment comes as college programs face more pressure to generate resources and keep talent in place. With the transfer portal and revenue-sharing opportunities changing how rosters are built, schools are adding more structure around roster management, fundraising and player retention.
A new role with a familiar face
Wilkins said the move gives him a fresh challenge at a school he views as on the rise. “To be at a place like Alabama State University is exciting; it’s a new challenge,” he said. He also pointed to the direction of the program, adding, “The programs are trending upward, so it’s an exciting time to join them and accelerate the growth.”
For Alabama State, the hire adds one of the most recognizable names in basketball to the program’s day-to-day operations. Wilkins’ resume already includes a long list of honors tied to his playing career and his place in the sport’s history.
A long basketball legacy
The Atlanta Hawks retired Wilkins’ No. 21 jersey in 2001, and he entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. Atlanta later honored him with a bronze statue outside State Farm Arena in 2015, and he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Now, Alabama State is asking Wilkins to help in a different way. The job reflects the way college basketball has evolved, with programs leaning harder on relationship-building, resource generation and roster support. For the Hornets, adding Wilkins signals an effort to match that reality with a high-profile figure who understands the game from every angle.
The move does not change the fact that wins still matter most, but it does give Alabama State another layer of visibility as it tries to continue building momentum. In a college landscape that keeps changing, the Hornets have added a name that commands immediate respect.
