A strong transition game is essential in basketball.
Even in the front office.
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Dajuan Eubanks spent the past two seasons being groomed to take over as president of the Maine Red Claws, and the D-League team made the promotion official Tuesday.
“It’s exciting taking over the helm of an organization that’s already doing great things,” Eubanks said. “To be a minor-league team in New England and to have all these passionate fans, we have a tremendous benefit here in Maine. Our focus is on making sure our games are a positive experience for our fans.”
Eubanks, a 6-foot-9, shot-blocking specialist at Rice University, went on to play for the Harlem Globetrotters. He has lived in Maine since 2005 and worked for the Red Claws since their inception in 2009.
Eubanks spent three seasons as vice president of corporate sponsorships, signing on about 70 companies. He became executive vice president in 2012 when Bill Ryan Jr. took on the role of president. But Ryan, who is also the team’s principal owner, never intended to handle the day-to-day operations of the team.
“I’m just supremely confident in him after working hand in hand these past two years,” Ryan said of Eubanks. “He’s a very good communicator and really makes an effort to make sure that he knows all of our fans, all of our corporate partners. He’s a great businessman, too.”
Eubanks will be responsible for ticket sales, marketing and promotion, and the overall fan experience for the Red Claws, who are affiliated with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics assign all coaches and players to the D-League team.
Maine finished 19-31 last season, missing the playoffs.
Eubanks said there are no big changes planned for the 24 home games at the 3,000-seat Portland Expo this winter.
“I think it’s building on the success that we’ve already had. We’ve been part of a community that’s always embraced us,” Eubanks said.
“Our focus is going to really be on the fans. We’re celebrating what we call our sixth man in our sixth year. Our message is going to be around the thanks we give to them for being in the position we’re in.”
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