• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

LIFT Sports Management Signs Projected Top NBA Draft Pick

  • LIFT Sports Management has signed Paolo Banchero, the projected No. 1overall NBA draft pick.
  • The potential star represents a big get for the young agency.
Paolo-Banchero
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Two years into its existence, LIFT Sports Management has scored a potential superstar: The agency has signed projected No. 1 NBA draft pick, Paolo Banchero.

The basketball-focused agency was founded in summer 2020 by former NBA player Mike Miller, who played for 17 years, and LIFT CEO Donnie McGrath, who played professionally for 13 years, mostly in Italy, Greece, and Lithuania. 

“Mike was one of the first coaches to offer Paolo a scholarship when he was coaching at Memphis,” McGrath told Front Office Sports. “They built the relationship organically, and Paolo felt that it was a great fit.”

  • The agency’s first signing was the Orlando Magic’s RJ Hampton. 
  • Slowed by the pandemic, LIFT signed another five clients in its first year, now has 13 total.
  • Its roster includes Banchero’s Duke teammate Wendell Moore Jr., Alabama’s JD Davison, and Kentucky’s Kellan Grady, all of whom are entering the NBA draft. 

“Coaching at Memphis and being on the recruiting scene helped me understand what was important to the next generation of NBA players,” said Miller, Lift’s president and certified agent. Miller added that as a player and coach, younger players often reached out for guidance on “anything from pick-and-roll coverages to issues in the locker room to contract advice.”

LIFT was founded on the premise that many agencies don’t support their clients to the extent that they could, because their representatives don’t have professional playing experience.

“Being able to talk basketball and help them with their development on the court is a big thing,” said McGrath. 

He also noted that players can “get lost in the mix” at some of the bigger agencies. “We want to create a really high-touch boutique, where everybody gets a lot of attention, kind of like a family environment.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBA Draft Ratings Fall 14.5% Despite Early Cooper Flagg Lift

3.77 million viewers watched across ESPN and ABC.

Ace Bailey’s Strategy May Have Cost Him $9M—and Preferred Team

Bailey reportedly wanted to go to the Wizards, Pelicans, or Nets.
Bristol, CT - October 3, 2023 - Studio X: Kevin Negandhi on the set of SportsCenter.

From NBA Draft to Rubik’s Championship: Negandhi’s Whirlwind Summer With ESPN

Negandhi recently anchored the NBA draft lottery and NBA draft.

NBA Draft’s Most Shocking First-Round Pick Repped by LeBron’s Agent

Rich Paul and the Klutch Sports Group represent Yang.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Louisville’s Miller Moss and several of his teammates stopped by Olympus Gaming Lounge to play EA Sports College Football 26 with fans for a meet and greet. July 11, 2025

Saudis, Silver Lake, Jared Kushner Take EA Private in $55B Deal

Electronic Arts makes “Madden,” “EA Sports College Football,” and more.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.