Terdema Ussery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terdema L. Ussery II
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | December 4, 1958 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Princeton University (AB) Harvard University (MA) University of California, Berkeley (JD) |
Terdema Lamar Ussery II, born on December 4, 1958, is a well-known American business leader. He was the president and CEO of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Dallas Mavericks basketball team. He is known for his work in sports and for helping different organizations.
Contents
His Journey and Education
Terdema Ussery was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the Watts and Compton areas of South Central Los Angeles, California. He went to a special school called The Thacher School in Ojai, California.
College and Beyond
In 1981, Terdema finished his first college degree (a bachelor's degree) at Princeton University. He studied public and international affairs there. He even joined the football team as a "walk-on," meaning he tried out and made the team without a scholarship.
He continued his education, earning a master's degree from Harvard University in 1984. Later, he earned a law degree (Juris Doctor) from the UC Berkeley School of Law. While at Berkeley, he helped edit the California Law Review, a respected legal magazine.
Working in Sports
Before joining the NBA, Terdema Ussery worked as a business lawyer. He then moved into the world of basketball.
Early Sports Career
He became the deputy commissioner and general counsel for the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). This was a professional basketball league before he joined the NBA.
Leading the Dallas Mavericks
In 1997, Terdema Ussery became the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. He had a big goal: to make the Mavericks the best sports entertainment company in the country. This meant making sure fans had an amazing experience, not just watching a game, but enjoying the whole event.
In 2014, he was considered for a very important job: leading the National Basketball Players Association. This group represents all the players in the NBA.
Helping Others
Terdema Ussery has also been involved with many charities and companies. He believes in giving back to the community.
- He was the President and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks.
- He helped lead the Dallas Housing Authority, which provides housing for people.
- He was a board member for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which helps children.
- He also served on the boards of other important groups like the Communities Foundation of Texas and Princeton University.
