The basketball world is buzzing, and honestly, it feels long overdue. Liron Fanan just made history, and she did it in style. Ohio’s NBA G League affiliate Cleveland Charge General Manager has officially been named the 2025-26 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year, and the recognition is as much about results as it is about impact as many call this “Well deserved.”
Let’s start with the headline moment. According Cleveland G League, to Liron Fanan didn’t just win an award. She became the first woman in NBA G League history to earn this honor. That alone is a cultural shift worth celebrating in Ohio, especially in a league that has been steadily evolving behind the scenes. And this wasn’t some symbolic nod. The award comes from a vote by the league’s 30 head coaches and general managers, meaning the people inside the game are the ones giving her the credit. And they had plenty to work with.
Under Fanan’s leadership, the Charge put together a season that was equal parts exciting and efficient. The team secured the number three seed in the Eastern Conference with a 23-13 regular season record. Zoom out a bit, and their 31-19 overall record tied the best mark in franchise history. That’s not luck. That’s structure, planning, and execution.
Ohio NBA G League GM Liron Fanan Receives High Praise
Statistically, the team was a powerhouse. First in assists at 29.9 per game. Second in offensive rating at 119.9. Second in scoring with 123.6 points per game. And second in field goal percentage at 49.4%. In other words, this was a team that shared the ball, scored efficiently, and played a modern, fast-paced style that actually worked. But if you really want to understand Fanan’s value, look at the pipeline she helped build.
Player development is the lifeblood of the G League, and the Charge delivered. Three players earned call-ups to the Cleveland Cavaliers: Darius Brown II, Tristan Enaruna, and Riley Minix. Three more landed opportunities with other NBA teams, including Chaney Johnson with the Brooklyn Nets, Norchad Omier with the Los Angeles Clippers, and Killian Hayes with the Sacramento Kings. And then there’s Nae’Qwan Tomlin, who made the jump from a two-way deal to a full NBA contract with Cleveland. That’s not just roster management. That’s a system working exactly how it’s supposed to.
Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman summed it up perfectly, saying, “Liron’s leadership and tireless work ethic have been instrumental in building the Cleveland Charge roster and establishing a strong development culture across our basketball ecosystem.” He added, “This recognition is well deserved, and we’re incredibly proud of her, not only for this achievement, but also for becoming the first woman to be named NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year.” That quote hits because it speaks to something bigger than wins. It’s about culture. And culture doesn’t happen overnight.
Fanan Is Crucial To The Success of Ohio NBA Team
Fanan’s journey with the organization makes this moment even more satisfying. She joined the Charge ahead of the 2018-19 season as Director of G League Player Development, focusing on off-the-court growth and programming. From there, she climbed the ladder to Assistant General Manager before the 2020-21 season, where she became deeply involved in scouting and roster construction. By the time she was promoted to General Manager ahead of the 2023-24 season, she had already helped shape the identity of the team. So when the wins came, and the call-ups followed, it felt less like a breakout and more like a payoff.
And let’s not overlook the company she’s now in. Fanan becomes just the second Charge executive to win this award, joining Mike Gansey, who earned the honor back in the 2016-17 season. That connection adds another layer to the story, linking past success to the present in a pretty seamless way.
The bigger picture here is impossible to ignore. The G League has quietly become one of the most important ecosystems in basketball, and executives like Fanan are shaping the future of the NBA from the ground up. Her recognition isn’t just about one season. It’s about a model that works and a leader who’s proving that excellence doesn’t need an asterisk. And if this season is any indication, she’s just getting started.
Sabrina Russell 
Tanner Buck 
