In his first extended interview as the new Brooklyn Nets general manager, Sean Marks sits down with Adrian Wojnarowski on the Vertical Podcast with Woj.

Sean Marks has a major task on his hands in Brooklyn. (Getty Images) More

Marks lays out his vision for the monumental challenge awaiting him with the Nets. Marks details his years as a San Antonio Spurs executive, and how the system created by Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford will shape the franchise he tries to build with the Nets.

Marks goes into details about his childhood in New Zealand, his experience at Cal-Berkeley and how his playing stop in Miami under Pat Riley influenced what will be important to him as Nets general manager.

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum joins the Vertical Podcast Insider’s Segment to go on the record about the growing frustration in the league for African-American candidates in pursuit of general manager jobs.

Tatum talks with Woj about new NBA programs that identify and train African-American candidates, including ex-players, to move into front offices. Tatum answers questions about the impact of new ownership groups in the NBA, and how they view diversity in hiring.

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