Brandon Barkley

Brandon Barkley, originally from Detroit, graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2015 with a degree in sports management and business. While at Grand Valley, he was a member of the Laker basketball team, serving as team captain during his senior year. His contributions to the team also earned him the unsung hero award for his efforts in practice, games, and the locker room. Barkley’s experience during his collegiate years laid the groundwork for his subsequent career in professional sports, emphasizing leadership and teamwork.

After graduating, Barkley moved to Dallas and began his professional career in 2015 as a regional manager at Ultimate Hoops. In this role, he managed basketball skills training facilities and competitive leagues across multiple locations in the city. His organizational and managerial skills were honed during this period, despite being younger than many of his colleagues. This position also provided an opportunity to connect with the Dallas Mavericks organization, as the Mavericks hosted summer camps at the Ultimate Hoops facility. Barkley’s persistence and initiative in assisting with these camps led to an eventual interview opportunity with the NBA team.

Barkley joined the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 as their Youth Basketball Manager. He then advanced to the role of Player Relations Manager in May 2020, and subsequently became the Player Relations Director for Basketball Operations. In his current role, Barkley acts as a liaison between players and sponsors, managing player appearances and ensuring smooth execution of events. He strategically matches players with community events based on their backgrounds and initiatives, such as connecting J.J. Barea with Hispanic community events or Justin Jackson with events supporting Down syndrome. His work with the Mavericks demonstrates his ability to build trust and effectively manage player engagements.