Marcus Banks serves as Sr. Manager, Basketball Operations & Strategy and as Team Counsel for the LA Clippers. Marcus focuses on basketball operations, where he provides analysis on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, drafts players’ and coaches’ contracts, and assists with salary cap management, player transactions, roster construction, league-wide competitive analysis, and other basketball strategic initiatives. He is also responsible for handling all immigration matters, liaising with the NBA on various compliance and operational matters, and other legal and basketball operations matters.
Marcus joined the Clippers in 2016 as a Legal Intern. Before joining the Clippers, Marcus worked in Legal & Business Affairs for United Talent Agency, focusing on Motion Picture Talent and Independent Film Financing.
Prior to moving from New York to Los Angeles, Marcus worked in Business Development at the international law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP where he assisted the firm in acquiring clients in the Sports, Entertainment & Media industries. Prior to joining Freshfields, Marcus worked in Legal & Business Affairs for the Madison Square Garden Company focusing on the New York Knicks and New York Liberty. Prior to joining MSG, Marcus was an Intellectual Property Coordinator for the National Basketball Association. Marcus Banks earned his law degree from Rutgers Law School.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
