William Wesley
Encyclopedia
William Sydney "Wes" Wesley (b. August 14, 1964 in Camden, New Jersey
) is a consultant
for Creative Artists Agency. Known as "World Wide Wes" or simply "Wes," he is most noted for his close relationships with numerous high-profile National Basketball Association (NBA)
players and team owners, college basketball
head coaches and their agents. Considered by many observers within the industry as a power broker
and one of the most influential men in the business side of basketball, he forged those strong ties without being associated with any business entity.
He is associated with many of the league's most prominent players, including Allen Iverson
, Richard Hamilton, Michael Jordan
and LeBron James
. Wesley is a longtime client of Iverson and James's agent, the Philadelphia attorney Leon Rose
.
in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Playing for rival Camden High School
was Milt Wagner
, who later went on to the University of Louisville
and the NBA. Wagner claims that Wesley became his friend and confidant during high school, and that he introduced Wesley to Michael Jordan, among other pro basketball luminaries.
Around the same time, Leon Rose played basketball for nearby Cherry Hill High School East
in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey. In 2005 Rose acknowledged having been Wesley's attorney "for 21 years."
In the early 1980s, Wesley worked as a salesperson at Pro Shoe, a sporting goods company, specializing in high-end basketball shoes, across the street from the Cherry Hill Mall.
guard Richard Hamilton
, and counts among his closest friends Hamilton, Iverson, and Dajuan Wagner
, the son of Milt Wagner and a first-round pick in the 2002 NBA Draft
. All are clients of Rose.
Wesley was also very visible in the months leading up to LeBron James' defection from agent Aaron Goodwin
. Goodwin, who signed James out of high school, had helped him earn a lucrative contract with Nike
. James signed with Rose during the summer of 2005.
On May 20, 2010 Mike and Mike in the Morning
, Jalen Rose
told Mike and Mike that he coined Wesley's nickname "World Wide Wes."
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
) is a consultant
Consultant
A consultant is a professional who provides professional or expert advice in a particular area such as management, accountancy, the environment, entertainment, technology, law , human resources, marketing, emergency management, food production, medicine, finance, life management, economics, public...
for Creative Artists Agency. Known as "World Wide Wes" or simply "Wes," he is most noted for his close relationships with numerous high-profile National Basketball Association (NBA)
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
players and team owners, college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
head coaches and their agents. Considered by many observers within the industry as a power broker
Power broker
Power broker may refer to:* Power Broker - a fictional corporation and character in the Marvel Universe* Power broker - a political term* The Power Broker - a book by Robert Caro...
and one of the most influential men in the business side of basketball, he forged those strong ties without being associated with any business entity.
He is associated with many of the league's most prominent players, including Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
, Richard Hamilton, Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
and LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
. Wesley is a longtime client of Iverson and James's agent, the Philadelphia attorney Leon Rose
Leon Rose
Leon Rose is an attorney and sports agent, based in New Jersey, near Philadelphia. He represents a number of prominent NBA players, including Allen Iverson and LeBron James....
.
Early years
Wesley played high school basketball for Pennsauken High SchoolPennsauken High School
Pennsauken High School is a four-year comprehensive regional public high school that serves students Pennsauken Township, in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Pennsauken Public Schools....
in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Playing for rival Camden High School
Camden High School (New Jersey)
Camden High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from the city of Camden, New Jersey, United States. The school is part of the Camden City Public Schools, which is classified as an Abbott District. The school,...
was Milt Wagner
Milt Wagner
Milton "Milt" Wagner is a retired American basketball player in the NBA.Wagner played high school basketball at Camden High School....
, who later went on to the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
and the NBA. Wagner claims that Wesley became his friend and confidant during high school, and that he introduced Wesley to Michael Jordan, among other pro basketball luminaries.
Around the same time, Leon Rose played basketball for nearby Cherry Hill High School East
Cherry Hill High School East
Cherry Hill High School East is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Cherry Hill Public Schools...
in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey. In 2005 Rose acknowledged having been Wesley's attorney "for 21 years."
In the early 1980s, Wesley worked as a salesperson at Pro Shoe, a sporting goods company, specializing in high-end basketball shoes, across the street from the Cherry Hill Mall.
Involvement with current players and coaches
Wesley is involved with The Family, a Detroit-area youth basketball team supported by Detroit PistonsDetroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
guard Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton (basketball)
Richard "Rip" Hamilton is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons. Hamilton is 6'7" tall, weighs 193 lbs , and plays shooting guard. He currently is the Pistons' team captain....
, and counts among his closest friends Hamilton, Iverson, and Dajuan Wagner
Dajuan Wagner
Dajuan Marquett Wagner is an American former professional basketball player.Wagner is the son of former University of Louisville and NBA player Milt Wagner...
, the son of Milt Wagner and a first-round pick in the 2002 NBA Draft
2002 NBA Draft
The 2002 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2002 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting 57 amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from non-North...
. All are clients of Rose.
Wesley was also very visible in the months leading up to LeBron James' defection from agent Aaron Goodwin
Aaron Goodwin
Aaron Goodwin is a sports agent who represents players in the National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association. He was the initial agent for LeBron James, and negotiated endorsement deals paying James over $135 million, including a $90 million deal with Nike. James...
. Goodwin, who signed James out of high school, had helped him earn a lucrative contract with Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
. James signed with Rose during the summer of 2005.
On May 20, 2010 Mike and Mike in the Morning
Mike and Mike in the Morning
Mike and Mike in the Morning is an American sports-talk radio show hosted by Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg on ESPN Radio and simulcast on television, normally on ESPN2. If ESPN is broadcasting a live sporting event during the show's timeslot, Sportscenter will air on ESPN2, and the show's...
, Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose
Jalen Anthony Rose is a retired American professional basketball player, who currently works as a sports analyst for the sports television network ESPN...
told Mike and Mike that he coined Wesley's nickname "World Wide Wes."
External links
- TrueHoop.com William Wesley Section - A collection of theories & articles about William Wesley hosted on TrueHoopTrueHoopTrueHoop is an award-winning blog which covers the sport of basketball, primarily the National Basketball Association. The blog, which has been in operation since May 15, 2005, was one of several blogs honored with the 2005 "Best of the Web award" issued by Forbes Magazine The site has linked...
. - 2001 New York Times Magazine Article - Feature on Dajuan WagnerDajuan WagnerDajuan Marquett Wagner is an American former professional basketball player.Wagner is the son of former University of Louisville and NBA player Milt Wagner...
that also prominently mentions Wesley. - 2007 GQ Article - Comprehensive expose on WorldWide Wes
- 2008 New York Times Article On Wesley