Sixers promote Tony DiLeo to general manager

"I am very excited about being named general manager of this organization and look forward to building upon our recent success," DiLeo said in a statement. "I would like to thank Josh Harris and the ownership group for providing me with this opportunity and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we put a team that our fans will be proud to support, both this season and in the future."

DiLeo, from Cinniminson, N.J. and La Salle University, joined the Sixers in 1990 as a member of the basketball operations staff. Since then he has been the director of scouting, assistant coach, director of player personnel, head coach, and since 2003, senior vice president and assistant general manager.

DiLeo will continue to work with president of basketball operations, Rod Thorn, whose contract expires after this season. The three-year deal Thorn signed in 2010 included a provision that enabled him to become a consultant upon its completion.

"We are proud to announce that, effective immediately, we have promoted Tony DiLeo to the role of 76ers general manager and at this time he will work alongside Rod Thorn, who continues his duties as president of basketball operations," Harris said. "We are very confident that Tony has the experience and knowledge to flourish in his new role, and we will continue to provide him with the necessary tools and resources -- including enhancing our capabilities in analytics -- to strengthen our basketball operations department."

The latest report from Yahoo! indicates that the Sixers were interested in Nuggets’ general manager Masai Ujiri, though an offer was never made. The Sixers also discussed the opening with former Portland assistant GM, Tom Penn, as well as ex-Hornets GM, Jeff Bowers,  assistant Celtics GM, Mike Zarren, and Rockets assistant general manager Sam Hinkie.

Of course, none of those former candidates understand the inner workings and the history of the 76ers more than DiLeo. In fact, DiLeo had a role in putting together the current Sixers’ roster, including the deal that brought aboard All-Star center Andrew Bynum and veteran sharp shooter, Jason Richardson.

E-mail John Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.