A Familiar Face Returns to Cal
Richard Midgley, a former Cal basketball standout who starred as a guard from 2002 to 2006, has been appointed general manager of the university's men's basketball program. During his collegiate career he started 99 games and averaged 10.2 points per contest, highlighted by a buzzer‑beating three‑pointer that secured a victory in the 2003 NCAA tournament.
Midgley’s front‑office résumé includes scouting stints with the Brooklyn Nets since 2019 and a prior role with the Atlanta Hawks, as well as a tenure as head coach at his alma mater, Modesto Christian High School. His blend of playing experience and professional scouting is expected to bolster the Bears’ ability to navigate the transfer portal, leverage NIL opportunities, manage player payments and drive fundraising efforts.
The new general manager position reflects Cal’s ambition to meet the escalating demands of modern college basketball. The program, which finished the previous season with a 22‑12 record and a appearance in the National Invitation Tournament, already employs both a general manager and an assistant general manager, signaling a structured approach to roster construction and resource management.
Midgley will oversee transfer acquisition and retention, while also coordinating the broader administrative framework that supports the team’s competitive goals. His appointment is seen as a strategic move that taps into Cal’s rich alumni network, linking past legends with the next generation of program leadership.