Joe Branch is the Head of On-Court Basketball Strategy & Business Development for WME Sports bringing nearly two decades of experience to the firm.Branch graduated from Northwestern University, where he was a member of the Wildcats basketball team all four years. He also served as an Associate Student Government Senator. Branch continued his studies at Rice University where he earned an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and served as President of the Black Graduate School Association.His career started with basketball and operations roles at Nike and the NBA which led to the role of Principal at Landmark Sports Group representing several NBA Players. From there, he was the Managing Director of Basketball at RocNation Sports where he was instrumental in building the firm’s basketball management business and was involved in player representation. During his tenure with RocNation, he negotiated contract extensions for Justise Winslow, NBA Champion Danny Green, and Caris LeVert. From 2019-2022, he served as the Assistant General Manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves focusing on domestic draft efforts including pro personnel scouting initiatives. In addition, he led the team’s integrated player development initiatives, and was fully involved with all player personnel matters.Utilizing his expertise in sports marketing and athlete education, Branch served as an adjunct lecturer at Long Island University- Brooklyn on topics ranging from the business of sports, leadership, brand management and marketing. He also was a part-time lecturer at Rice University teaching a course titled “Business Analysis in Sport.” Branch is a founding partner of UWANTGAME Ventures, a student-athlete mentor program that works with underserved youth. His passion is the non-profit arm of UWANTGAME headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. He established the organization to build the “Game Behind the Game” through mentorship as well as the character and career development of high school student-athletes. Students are provided programs on leadership, media/press preparation, fiscal responsibility, community service, sports psychology, and nutrition. Additionally, each student is paired in a one-on-one mentorship match with a former student athlete that can relate to and assist in the navigation of their unique concerns as they head toward college.