UNION, N.J. — Steve Senior’s journey from the Kean University basketball team to his current role in the front office of the Minnesota Timberwolves showcases the power of building and nurturing connections throughout one’s career.
After graduating from Kean University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in management and having played guard for the basketball team, Senior, now 42, has risen to the position of assistant general manager for the NBA team.
Reflecting on his journey, Senior expressed his disbelief at the prospect of making a career out of basketball, a sport he used to play in his driveway. He highlighted the privilege of assessing and discussing basketball professionally, a pursuit that has become an unexpected blessing in his life.
In recognition of his significant and enduring contributions to both the university’s athletics department and the institution itself, Kean Athletics will honor Senior with the inaugural Pat and D’Ann Ippolito Legacy Award. The award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, October 15, where Senior and four others will be recognized.
Known for his innate networking abilities, Senior maintains active communication with his former basketball coaches, both from high school and Kean University. He has also fostered professional relationships with numerous NBA figures who have offered him roles within their organizations.
Throughout his career, Senior has worked alongside notable figures like J.B. Bickerstaff, presently the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Allan Houston, special assistant to the general manager of the New York Knicks.
Senior’s approach to work centers around treating individuals with respect, fostering positive energy daily, and facilitating connections between people and groups.
His inspiration, he shared, comes from his parents, Granville and Paulette Senior, his sister Patrice, and his Kean professors. He emphasized the pivotal role that communication with professors played in his college experience, attributing his growth in class participation to his thriving at Kean.
A friendship with his childhood acquaintance, former U.S. World Cup goalkeeper Tim Howard, introduced Senior to broadcaster and New York Giants legend Michael Strahan, who he now considers a mentor.
Howard commended Senior for his commitment to connecting with people from all walks of life and praised his work ethic and capacity for compassionate listening.
Born to Jamaican immigrants, Senior’s fascination with basketball began at the age of 5, sparked by his aunt’s introduction to New York Knicks games. This early passion led him to join Kean’s basketball team for two seasons.
In 2000, a conversation with an NBA Entertainment official during a Nets game led to a job as an NBA live-action photographer, marking the start of his career. Over time, Senior developed connections with influential individuals like Artie and Jason Rabin, who later became majority owners of the Nets. These connections eventually landed him a position at their company, Kids Headquarters.
Through his career, Senior maintained ties with players and facilitated summer workouts, particularly with current ESPN NBA analyst Richard Jefferson. After returning to the NBA in 2011 as the video coordinator for the Houston Rockets, he navigated a journey through the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies before his recent role with the Timberwolves.
Sachin Gupta, the Timberwolves’ executive vice president of basketball operations, highlighted Senior’s exceptional qualities, from his prowess in various roles to his positive attitude and leadership skills that put others first.
Senior’s passion for guiding young players, cultivating relationships on the road, and advising high school and college students has been a driving force. He encourages aspiring individuals to invest time in discovering a fulfilling career path, even if it requires postponing financial aspirations. He stresses the importance of networking, noting that it’s not just about who you know, but also about who remembers you.