Len Elmore, Bob Gardner Appointed To USA Basketball Board

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 3, 2010) -- Len Elmore, Chief Executive Officer of iHoops, and Bob Gardner, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), have been appointed by the NCAA and NFHS, respectively, to the USA Basketball Board of Directors. Elmore replaces former iHoops CEO and NCAA appointee Kevin Weiberg, who recently was named the Deputy Commissioner of the Pacific-10 Conference; while Gardner replaces former NFHS appointee Bob Kanaby, who recently retired from the NFHS. Both men will serve on the USA Basketball Board of Directors through 2012.

"I am honored to serve and pleased to support the leadership of Jerry Colangelo and Jim Tooley," said Elmore, who currently works as a men's college basketball analyst for CBS and ESPN. "iHoops regards USA Basketball as not only integral to the development of the game but an active and vital partner in our mission to improve the quality of youth basketball in America by enhancing the athletic, educational and social experience for millions of young people who play the game."

"I am honored to serve on the USA Basketball Board of Directors" said Gardner, who brings over 40 years experience of working in high school athletics, including 10 at the national level. "I welcome the opportunity to work with the professional staff and assist not only in the development of the game but also in the efforts to have our national teams represent the USA appropriately."

A three-year letterwinner and 1974 All-American at the University of Maryland, Elmore was a first round draft pick by both the NBA's Washington Bullets and the ABA's Indiana Pacers in 1974. Following a 10-year pro career that spanned the NBA and ABA, in 1987 Elmore became the first former pro basketball player to graduate from Harvard Law School. Following law school Elmore became an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y., and in 1992 he founded Precept Sports & Entertainment and represented Olympic, NBA, NFL and MLB athletes.

Currently a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and the University of Maryland Foundation board of directors, Elmore is a former president of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Additionally, he served on the faculty of Columbia University's graduate program in sports management. Prior to being named as iHoops CEO, Elmore served on the iHoops Board of Directors.

A 40-year veteran of high school athletics, Gardner most recently served 10 years as Chief Operating Officer for the NFHS, from July 1, 2000, until he succeeded Kanaby as NFHS Executive Director on May 1, 2010.

From 1970 – 1978 Gardner served at three different Indiana high schools as an English teacher, while coaching football, basketball, baseball and track and field. In 1978 Gardner was hired as the principal of Milan Junior-Senior High School (Ind.) and was named the superintendent of the Milan Community Schools. During his stint at Milan, Gardner served on the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Board of Directors. In 1985 Gardner was hired as the ISHAA Assistant Commissioner and in 1995 was elevated to Commissioner of the ISHAA.

Gardner earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Evansville and his master's and Educational Specialist degrees from Ball State University, previously served on the Indiana Sports Corporation Board of Directors, and he is a member of the Indiana High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Phoenix Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo is chairman of the 2009-12 USA Basketball Board of Directors, which also includes: NBA appointees Kim Bohuny, Vice President, Basketball Operations International; and Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations; NCAA appointees Bernard Muir, University of Delaware Director of Athletics and Recreation Services; and Chris Plonsky, University of Texas Women's Athletics Director and Senior Associate Athletic Director of Men's/Women's Athletics External Services; At-large/ Independent Director Billy Hunter, Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association; National Organizations Representative Rod Seaford, former national chairman of the AAU boys basketball; and athlete representatives Teresa Edwards, a five time Olympian and four time Olympic gold medalist, and Steve Smith, Olympic (2000) and World Championship (1994) gold medalist. Past USA Basketball President Val Ackerman rounds out the board as an ex officio.

About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions.

For further information contact Craig Miller, Caroline Williams or Jenny Maag at USA Basketball (719)-590 4800.

This release is also available on USA Basketball's World Wide Web homepage http://www.usabasketball.com.