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 Conference News: Diamond Added to Staff |
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Wednesday, October 21
Diamond Added to Staff
Watchung Conference Website (http://www.eteamz.com/watchungconference) is proud to announce the addition of Billy “Billy D.” Diamond to our staff. Billy has been associated with high school, AAU, college, junior college and professional basketball in one form or another for over 20+ years and will be a contributor/blogger to the website for the mightiest basketball conference in New Jersey this season.
As a graduate of Union HS, Billy started out as a Student Assistant Coach at American University (1980-82) for then Head Coach and now current University of Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams. During his tenure there he coached former New Jersey All-State players Russell “Boo” Bowers (Westfield); Gordon Austin (Linden) and Leon Kearney (Plainfield). The other assistants on that staff were current Temple Head Coach Fran Dunphy and former Washington Wizards Head Coach, Ed Tapscott. While attending law school (1982-85) he served as a Scout evaluating college players for the NBA & the Washington Wizards.
Upon graduating law school in 1985, Billy was Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for P.M.A., Inc, a sports management firm in Washington, DC, representing such players as Charles Oakley (NY Knicks), Kenny Anderson (NJ Nets), Nate McMillan (Seattle Supersonics), Dennis Rodman (Detroit Pistons), Nick Anderson (Orlando Magic), Rod Strickland (NY Knicks), Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors) and Mark Jackson (NY Knicks).
As a varsity assistant boys’ basketball coach for the Union HS Farmers under Ted Zawacki from 1990-2000. Billy was part of the coaching staff whose team won the 1997 Group 4 State Boys Championship. The first and only one, ever in Union HS basketball history. From 2004-2009, Billy was the Assistant Coach at Union County College (NJ). He has also served as an Assistant Coach for Brian Crawford and the Newark Rams AAU Program since 2001 and is Director of their Mentor Program. He is known statewide for volunteering his time and mentoring high school and college basketball players throughout New Jersey.
Currently Billy and former Roselle HS basketball standout Bob Sumner, Talent Coordinator and Producer for the Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam, are business partners in the Diamond-Sumner Group, LLC and represent professional basketball players, college coaches and comedians from around the country.
Billy will be contributing basketball stories and blogs not only about the mighty Watchung Conference, but also provide insights into current high school, AAU & college basketball issues, as well as interviews with current and former high school, college and NBA coaches and players. He will assist with our “Where Are They Now” section about former Watchung Conference basketball players. In addition, Billy will also provide us with a behind the scenes look at the 2010 NBA All-Star game, Slam Dunk Contest & Rookie vs. Sophomore game from Dallas, Texas in February. Please feel free to send comments and suggestions for stories to him at billyd212121@aol.com. Welcome aboard!
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