Brand comes into the position with fewer than two years of formal front-office experience, but joining the executive ranks was always his plan. He'd had conversations with ownership about continuing his career and advancing.
"It's faster than even I thought, but I was prepared and I'm prepared now," Brand said at his introductory press conference.
The Sixers' top brass is confident that Brand's 17-year NBA career and his familiarity with the Sixers organization make up for the lack of off-the-court experience.
Drafted first overall out of Duke by the Chicago Bulls, Brand finished his rookie season averaging 20.