William Wesley

For the engraver, artist, astronomer and administrator, see William Henry Wesley.
William Wesley
New York Knicks
PositionExecutive Vice President – Senior Basketball Advisor
Personal information
Born (1964-08-14) August 14, 1964 (age 60)
Camden, New Jersey, U.S.

William Sydney Wesley (born August 14, 1964) is the Executive Vice President – Senior Basketball Advisor for the New York Knicks. He is a former American consultant for Creative Artists Agency. Known as "World Wide Wes" or simply "Wes," Wesley is noted for his relationships with numerous high-profile 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.[1]

He is associated with many of the league's most prominent players, including Richard Hamilton, and Allen Iverson. Wesley is a longtime client of Iverson and LeBron James's agent, the Philadelphia attorney Leon Rose.[2] One of hip hop's biggest contemporary artists, Drake, gives Wesley a shout out on his popular diss track Back to Back, stating "I learned the game from William Wesley, you could never check me," (the first verse in the song) exposing Wesley to a new audience.[3] Wes was also referenced in Jay-Z's verse in the song Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2.[4] Shaquille O'Neal references Wesley in his song "LaVar Ball Diss Track".[5]

  1. ^ Thamel, Pete (2010-08-02). "Agency Role Could Limit Basketball Broker's Power". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-10-16.
  2. ^ French, Alex (August 2007). "IS THIS THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN SPORTS". GQ. Retrieved 2007-07-15.
  3. ^ Diaz, Angel. "The Best Rap Verse of the Month". Complex. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  4. ^ Rocher, Frantz. "Worldwide Wes - Every Pop Culture Reference on "Nothing Was the Same" - Complex". Complex. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  5. ^ "LaVar Ball Diss Track Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.