Liron Fanan Makes History as NBA G League Executive of the Year

Liron Fanan Makes History as First Woman to Win NBA G League Executive of the Year

On April 1, 2026, the NBA G League made history. Cleveland Charge General Manager Liron Fanan was named the 2025-26 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year — becoming the first woman ever to receive the honor in the league's history. The announcement, confirmed by the official NBA G League, caps off a remarkable season in which the Cleveland Charge tied their franchise record for wins and earned a playoff berth. For fans searching what's happening in the G League right now, this story is at the center of it all.

Who Is Liron Fanan?

Liron Fanan's journey to the top of G League management is one built on years of dedication and steady progression through the ranks. Originally from Israel, Fanan joined the Cleveland Charge organization before the 2018-19 season as Director of G League Player Development. Over the next several years, she quietly built a reputation as one of the sharpest basketball minds in the development league.

Before the 2020-21 season, she was elevated to Assistant General Manager. Then, in July 2023, Fanan was promoted to General Manager of the Cleveland Charge — making her the first woman GM in Charge history and just the fourth woman GM in the entire G League.

The Executive of the Year award is voted on by all 30 G League head coaches and general managers, making it a peer-recognized honor. That her colleagues across the league chose her unanimously signals the deep respect Fanan has earned through her work. As reported by USA Today, Fanan also spoke openly about personal challenges this season — noting that her family back in Israel has spent time in and out of bunkers and bomb shelters amid ongoing conflict, making her achievement even more profound.

A Record-Breaking Season for the Cleveland Charge

The numbers behind the Cleveland Charge's 2025-26 season make a compelling case for Fanan's award. The team finished with a 31-19 overall record, tying the franchise record for the most wins in a single season. In regular season play, the Charge went 23-13, good enough to earn the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Statistically, Cleveland was one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the entire league:

1st in assists — 29.9 assists per game
2nd in offensive rating — 119.9
2nd in scoring — 123.6 points per game
2nd in field goal percentage — 49.4%

These aren't just impressive G League numbers — they reflect a system-driven, team-first culture that Fanan helped build. The Charge's style of play prioritizes ball movement and player development, which aligns directly with the G League's core mission as the NBA's official player development pipeline.

Six Call-Ups and a Pipeline That's Working

Perhaps the most telling measure of Fanan's impact as a GM is what happened to her roster throughout the season. The Charge sent six players to the NBA via call-ups in 2025-26 — a testament to the development environment she has cultivated.

Darius Brown II — called up to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Tristan Enaruna — called up to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Riley Minix — called up to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Chaney Johnson — called up to the Brooklyn Nets
Norchad Omier — called up to the Los Angeles Clippers
Killian Hayes — called up to the Sacramento Kings

Beyond call-ups, Nae'Qwan Tomlin had his two-way contract converted to a standard NBA deal by the Cavaliers in February 2026 — one of the strongest endorsements an NBA organization can give a G League player. Losing this many players mid-season and still maintaining a top-three seed speaks to the depth Fanan built into the roster.

According to Yahoo Sports, Fanan's approach to roster construction and player development has been widely praised throughout the league.

A Historic Milestone for Women in Basketball Operations

The significance of Fanan's award extends well beyond the Cleveland Charge. Women have been steadily making inroads into NBA and G League front offices, but executive-level recognition has lagged behind. Fanan now stands as the first woman in the history of the NBA G League to win the Basketball Executive of the Year award.

She is also only the second Charge executive ever to win the honor, joining Mike Gansey, who won it back in the 2016-17 season. That the franchise has now produced two winners speaks to a culture of excellence that transcends any single leader.

In a league and sport still working toward greater representation at the executive level, Fanan's achievement is a landmark. It's the kind of milestone that future women working in basketball operations will point to as proof that the path exists — and that it leads all the way to the top.

The G League Playoffs Are Happening Right Now

The award announcement comes at a particularly exciting moment: the 2026 NBA G League Playoffs are underway. On the same day Fanan was honored, the Cleveland Charge hosted the Capital City Go-Go in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff game — giving fans in Cleveland a double reason to celebrate.

Across the league, the playoffs are showcasing the next generation of NBA talent. The Stockton Kings have already advanced to the Western Conference semifinals, and several rookies are drawing major attention as scouts from NBA teams monitor performance across both conferences.

The G League playoffs serve as one of the final proving grounds before the NBA offseason roster decisions are made. Players who perform here can earn contracts, two-way deals, and Summer League invitations. For teams like the Charge — built around a development-first philosophy — the playoffs are the ultimate test of what a front office has constructed.

If you're following the action or want to rep your favorite G League team, you can find NBA G League gear and Cleveland Charge basketball merchandise to show your support.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NBA G League and Liron Fanan's Award

What is the NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year award?

The NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year award is an annual honor voted on by all 30 G League head coaches and general managers. It recognizes the front office executive who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, roster building, and organizational excellence over the course of a season.

Why is Liron Fanan's award historically significant?

Fanan is the first woman in NBA G League history to win the Basketball Executive of the Year award. She was also the first woman GM in Cleveland Charge history and only the fourth woman GM in the entire G League when she was promoted in July 2023.

How did the Cleveland Charge perform in the 2025-26 season?

The Charge finished 31-19 overall, tying the franchise record for wins. They went 23-13 in the regular season to earn the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The team ranked first in assists (29.9 apg) and second in scoring (123.6 ppg), offensive rating (119.9), and field goal percentage (49.4%) across the G League.

How many players did the Cleveland Charge send to the NBA this season?

Six players received NBA call-ups: Darius Brown II, Tristan Enaruna, and Riley Minix to the Cavaliers; Chaney Johnson to the Nets; Norchad Omier to the Clippers; and Killian Hayes to the Kings. Additionally, Nae'Qwan Tomlin had his two-way contract converted to a full NBA deal by the Cavaliers.

When did Liron Fanan join the Cleveland Charge organization?

Fanan joined the Charge before the 2018-19 season as Director of G League Player Development. She was promoted to Assistant GM before the 2020-21 season and became full GM in July 2023.

Conclusion: A Historic Win in a Landmark Season

Liron Fanan's recognition as the 2025-26 NBA G League Basketball Executive of the Year is more than an individual accolade — it's a milestone for women in basketball, a validation of the Cleveland Charge's player development model, and a story worth following as the G League playoffs continue.

From leading a team that ranked at the top of nearly every offensive category, to developing and sending six players to the NBA, to navigating personal hardship half a world away, Fanan has demonstrated exactly what elite front office leadership looks like. As the Charge push deeper into the playoffs, the basketball world is paying attention — and rightfully so.