Category: Portland Trail Blazers Blog

The Portland Trail Blazers have named Tiago Splitter, Patrick St. Andrews and Quinton Crawford as assistant coaches on Head Coach Chauncey Billups’ staff.

In addition, Leron Black has been hired as a player development coach. Black has served as an assistant coach and director of video for the Rip City Remix, NBA G League affiliate for Portland, since the 2023-24 season.

Splitter joins the Trail Blazers after leading Paris Basketball Club to a French Basketball Cup championship and into the EuroLeague Playoffs as head coach for the 2024-25 season. Prior to taking the helm of Paris Basketball, Splitter served as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets during the 2023-24 season and spent the five seasons prior with the Brooklyn Nets—serving as an assistant coach from 2019-23 and as a pro scout with added responsibilities related to on-court development during the 2018-19 season.

A seven-year NBA veteran, Splitter joined the San Antonio Spurs during the 2010-11 season after being drafted by the franchise with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft. The native of Brazil played five seasons in San Antonio—helping the Spurs win an NBA championship in 2014—before finishing his NBA playing career in Atlanta (2015-16) and Philadelphia (2016-17). Splitter also boasts a storied 11-year international playing career—primarily competing in Spain for Baskonia (2000-10). He helped lead the team to numerous titles while earning All-EuroLeague honors on three occasions. As a member of the Brazilian national team, Splitter won gold medals in the FIBA AmeriCup, the Pan American Games and the South American Championships. Splitter also has national team coaching experience, most recently as head coach of his native Brazil’s gold medal under-23 men’s team in 2022.

St. Andrews most recently served as an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies for the last two seasons (2023-25). Prior to his two seasons with the Grizzlies, St. Andrews spent five seasons (2018-23) with the Milwaukee Bucks—serving as a member of the Bucks’ 2021 NBA Championship coaching staff that led the team to the best regular season record in the NBA. A native of State College, Pennsylvania, St. Andrews earned his first assistant coaching role with the Atlanta Hawks in 2017 after first joining the organization in 2013 as a seasonal assistant. In 2014, St. Andrews was promoted to Atlanta’s assistant video coordinator position before being elevated to head video coordinator in 2016 and then to assistant coach in 2017.

Crawford comes to Portland after leading the Stockton Kings to the 2025 NBA G League Championship as head coach in his first season at the helm. Prior to joining the Kings, Crawford spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Suns, the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks, and three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2019-2022—including one as a member of the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship coaching staff. Before joining the Lakers, Crawford served as the head video coordinator and player development coach with the Charlotte Hornets (2018-19). Previously, Crawford worked for the Orlando Magic, serving as head video coordinator with a role in player development in 2017-18 after spending the 2016-17 season as an assistant video coordinator. Crawford began his professional career as an assistant video coordinator with the Sacramento Kings during the 2015-16 season.

The NBA has announced Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of March. As part of his efforts, Simons provided scholarships to 24 students, supported mental health wellbeing and hosted holiday events in Portland and his home state of Florida. Simons will receive the David Robinson trophy, and the NBA will donate $10,000 to Be A Light, an organization that supports at-risk youth and young adults.

“One of the first things I thought about when I made it to the NBA was how I can make a direct impact in my community, specifically to the youth in the greater Portland area,” said Simons. “It’s extremely important for me to personally connect with the kids in the community and present opportunities for them to express themselves and become great. I am truly thankful to be in a position where I can offer creative outlets for tomorrow’s leaders.”

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with General Manager Joe Cronin.

Cronin was originally named the General Manager on May 10, 2022 after serving in the role as interim since December 3, 2021.

“Joe has demonstrated leadership and vision during his time as General Manager, and I’m excited to see him continue building the foundation for a long-term, winning team,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Portland Trail Blazers. “We are all thrilled with the team’s forward momentum and excited for the future of Trail Blazers basketball.”

“I am honored that Jody and Bert have put their continued trust in me and thank them for believing in this opportunity to further our pursuit of building a winning team in Portland,” said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. “My vision is to have a competitive roster with the potential for sustained success, while creating a culture that helps all our players, coaches and staff thrive. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III recently underwent an arthroscopic procedure to address inflammation in his left knee.

Williams will miss 4-6 weeks.

Per the Oregonian, “The regular season ends on April 13. Williams would only play again this season if the Blazers reach the NBA playoffs. The Blazers are in contention for a Western Conference play-in berth. Williams has missed 11 of the team’s last 12 games with left knee soreness.”

The team says he is expected to make a full recovery.

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced plans for the special Bill Walton Tribute Night game on March 9 when the team takes on the Detroit Pistons. The game serves as a special night to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a truly beloved Trail Blazer, Bill Walton. Tickets are available for purchase at Trailblazers.com/walton and all in attendance are encouraged to wear tie-dye.

Walton will be honored throughout the night with in-game videos looking back on his historic Hall of Fame career and impact on and off the court.

Members of the Walton family will be in attendance and involved in various in-game moments, as well as Trail Blazers alumni, including members of the 1977 Championship team, that played alongside “Big Red”.

Fans attending the game will receive a special Bill Walton tie-dyed headband upon entering Moda Center.

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Sidy Cissoko to a two-way contract.

In a subsequent move, the Trail Blazers have requested waivers on guard Taze Moore.

In 29 career starts, Cissoko has accrued career averages of 2.3 points (49.0% FG, 61.9% FT), 1.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 6.7 minutes per game for the San Antonio Spurs. The former G League Ignite product was drafted 44th overall by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft has appeared in 59 career games (31 starts) in the G League, recording 14.6 points (46.1% FG, 64.4% FT), 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes per game for Austin (2023-25) and the Ignite (2022-23).

Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan was evaluated today after he left Tuesday night’s game vs. Brooklyn. It has been determined to be a mild left ankle sprain.

Clingan will be re-evaluated in one week and updates will be given as appropriate.

The Portland Trail Blazers mourn the passing of former radio announcer Brian Wheeler, who passed away on Friday, November 8. Wheeler, better known as “Wheels” served as the radio voice of the Trail Blazers for 21 seasons from 1998-2019.

Wheels was raised in the Los Angeles area, spending his early years listening to sports broadcasting legends Vin Scully and Chick Hearn that would influence his future work. He attended Loyola University in Chicago, beginning his broadcasting career on campus before making it to the pros. His 35-year broadcasting career included stops with the Sacramento Kings & Monarchs, Seattle Sonics, and Chicago Bulls, before 21 seasons in Rip City.

Wheels was named Oregon Sportscaster of the Year in 2007, recognizing his impact on the state’s sports culture. His iconic trademark call of “BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA” is still widely used across the industry and a fan favorite to this day inside Moda Center. His love for the game and passion for the Trail Blazers came through in every radio call, making each play a thrill for every listener tuning in. As we mourn Wheels passing, we fondly remember his post-win declaration, “And once again we can say: It’s a great day to be a Blazer!”

The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised the 2025-26 team contract option on the Rookie Scale contracts of guards Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and forward Kris Murray.

Sharpe, the 7th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers, posted 15.9 points (40.6% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 82.4% FT), 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals in 33.1 minutes per game in 32 games (25 starts) during the 2023-24 season and earned a 2024 Rising Stars selection at All-Star weekend. The second-year guard holds career averages of 11.6 points (44.5% FG, 35.0% 3-PT, 77.2% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.6 steals and 25.3 minutes per game in 112 career games (40 starts) in two seasons with Portland.

During his rookie campaign, Henderson averaged 14.0 points (32.5% 3-PT, 81.9% FT), 3.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists and 28.5 minutes per game in 62 games (32 starts) for the Trail Blazers and ranked amongst rookies first in assists per game (5.4), first in total assists (336), fifth in points per game (14.0) and sixth in total points (868).

In his first season out of Iowa, Murray accrued averages of 6.1 points (39.6% FG, 26.8% 3-PT, 66.1% FT), 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals and 21.7 minutes per game in 62 games (29 starts) in his rookie season.