Suns hire Morgan Cato as assistant GM, VP of basketball operations

The Phoenix Suns announced Morgan Cato to be the new assistant general manager and vice president of basketball operations on Monday.

In her role, Cato will be one of the highest-ranking women in an NBA front office, as well as being the first woman of color to hold an assistant GM title.

Cato will report to Suns general manager James Jones and work directly with head coach Monty Williams in a handful of capacities.

“We’re excited to welcome Morgan to the Valley and to the Suns organization,” Jones said in a statement. “With the league office Morgan played a pivotal role on countless initiatives to grow the game and strategically develop for it to be played at its best. The addition of her background and knowledge will allow us to elevate our basketball operations in several areas.”

The Suns said Cato will work with Williams on team’s strategy and business processes for basketball growth and performance with a focus on development, player engagement and front office personnel operations.

The Brooklyn native joins the Suns after spending the past decade working with the league’s office in New York, where she worked under the president of league operations, Byron Spruell.

Her previous title with the NBA was associate vice president of business operations.

Trevor Bukstein will remain in the front office as an assistant general manager, according to Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson.

The Suns are gearing up for an offseason full of decisions after finishing last season with the league’s best record of 64-18, but were bounced in the second round of the playoffs.

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