Master P Named Head of Basketball Operations at University of New Orleans
By Darian Kelly
Last Updated on February 28, 2025
The University of New Orleans basketball team has announced that iconic New Orleans music, entertainment, and entrepreneur Percy “Master P” Miller is now president of the university’s basketball operations. Master P adds to the growing list of general managers hired by athletic departments ahead of the new revenue-sharing era.
The proud New Orleans native expressed tremendous excitement about the opportunity to usher in a new era for the Privateers.
“At that time, UNO was one of the best programs in the country,” Miller said. “It was all about Privateer Nation, and there was so much excitement on the Lakefront. As President of Basketball Operations, I am committed to bringing back that winning tradition to NOLA’s Team. But this is bigger than the game—it’s about educating and creating future leaders at the same time. I’m here to make sure that these young student-athletes have the opportunities, resources and mentorship to succeed on and off the court. UNO is our culture, our community, our city, our team and our family. It’s time to bring the love and passion back to New Orleans basketball.”
Miller’s roots in basketball run deep; he earned an athletic scholarship to play at the University of Houston, where his son Mercy Miller currently plays. His collegiate career was cut short due to injury. However, that adversity propelled him to launch a successful record label that allowed him to have a strong influence across entertainment and business. Miller had brief stints with NBA teams such as the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. In addition to him being a successful mogul, his philanthropic efforts do not go unnoticed. He created an AAU organization, P Miller Ballers, producing NBA players like Demar DeRozan, Brandon Jennings, and Lance Stephenson. Miller does not take for granted the impact basketball has had on his life; in a press conference, he shared, “As a kid growing up in New Orleans, I can honestly say that basketball changed and saved my life.”
Stacey Hollowell, the Privateer’s head basketball coach, looks forward to Miller making an immediate impact leading basketball operations for the program.
“This is a tremendously exciting day for the future of New Orleans Privateers basketball,” Hollowell said. “I am thrilled to add coach Percy Miller to our staff as President of Basketball Operations. Coach Miller cares deeply about his city, the University of New Orleans, and Privateers basketball. We will benefit from his basketball knowledge and his relationships with people within the city and the game.”
Hollowell highlighted key components of what schools are looking for in general managers as NIlL evolves, which is a combination of a successful track record in business and strong relationships. Other newly appointed general managers include former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, who became Stanford football’s GM, and St Bonaventure University, who hired former NBA insider Adrian Wojarnowski as its GM.
As much as people fixate on the money component of NIL with revenue sharing on the horizon, human capital becomes just as valuable. With high-revenue sports like basketball that will eventually be run like professional teams, it is essential for programs to equip themselves with people who understand the sport and the community it represents and can adapt to the nuances of college athletics.
