By Malika Andrews |
What your favorite memory from your Blazer days?
I had a lot of very fond memories when I think about that time frame where I was in Portland. Obviously, the first time you get drafted is a special moment. Coming from a small school, not knowing if you will ever have the opportunity to play at the professional level, and then getting that call, so to speak, that you got drafted, and that you’ll have an opportunity to go play professionally that was obviously very special. And early on, we didn’t have a lot of success. We made the playoffs but we were one-and-done. And then being a part of those championship caliber types of teams is just early on the most unbelievable experience. Everybody was kind of young and we emerged as one of the top teams in the league. Some of us, like Clyde (Drexler) and Buck came from big schools and they were accustomed to that kind of tension and the level of intensity. The other three all came from very small schools. So it was a little bit much for us at times but it was just an unbelievable experience...it truly was a brotherhood.
Coming from Milwaukee, you understand the unique struggles of playing for a mid-major school. What do you see as the most important things to address on the court to give these guys a chance against the established top teams in the WCC?
(St. Mary’s and Gonzaga) have been able to build a huge tradition of winning and so a lot of times when you talk about recruiting, everybody wants to be associated with a winning program. We have to get to the point where we start getting kids that want to help us build and be a start of a building process as opposed to just going to those (already established) schools. So far, our conversations have really been more about the defensive end. That’s the one area we can do a much better job in consistently. In regards to (the) overall picture, we just have to continue to work hard every day and make sure that no matter what our skillset is, that we’re putting in effort because that will show up eventually.
Is your younger son considering attending the University of Portland and playing for you?
I don’t know when he is going to make his decision. I’m giving him a little room but I’m definitely looking at him.
What are you most excited for about coaching college?
(I am most exciting for) watching the growth of young men and how they come together as a team. (I am excited to see them) navigating both the academic side and the athletic side while trying to be great in a sport. I told them yesterday in our team meeting, I am honored to be able to take this journey with them and I’m looking forward to having some success along the way.
How has the team responded to the coaching change thus far?
They seem excited. This is a time where everybody is excited to see what is going to happen and how this (change) is going to translate. Like anything, they want to know where they are going to fit in in regards to how they are going to be able to use their services in order to help the team be successful.
There are only 39 African-American students on UP’s campus and there are no black faculty members. What do you see as your role is here at UP as a black man and how do you feel about the potential for those students to see you as a role model?
I would think that we could get away from the black and white and just talk about obviously the position. But we’re not there yet. As far as someone (black students) can look up to, with what my morals are and what my integrity is, that’s awesome. It doesn’t matter the size (of the school). If there’s going to be racial issues, there is going to be racial issues. We all have to try to understand each other’s cultures and understand that we are one community and appreciate everybody’s diversity and grow from that. I think we will get to that point and the more we can do it from a leadership standpoint, and they see more (black) people in a position of power and more on the administration side, it makes them (black students) feel more comfortable.
Two match ups I would love to hear your take on: 1) St. Mary’s because your older son plays there and 2.) The Pacific game because they recently named Damon Stoudomire as their head coach.
First, St. Mary’s, that’s family in regards to my son being on that team so, that’s a little bit different. I’ve never had to be in that situation before and I’m going to have to call some friends on mine who’ve maybe been in that position before and try to get some advice on how to embrace that situation. But I mean, obviously it’s going to be something I’m going to cherish to be able to watch him up close…but I want to do that well.
Damian is somewhat like me in regards to his local status. So, he is a legend in his own right in regards to what he has been able to achieve from this area and then go on at the college level and now he’s a head coach. So, again, the competitive juices will be flowing. Obviously he’s been a coach at the collegiate level before and I haven’t but as far as head coaches, we want to try to do well. I know he’s a competitor. I’m a competitor. We don’t like losing so it’s going to be fun.
Because you have no scholarships open to offer, are you already looking a year out in terms of recruiting? *
We still have not seen these players on the court. We still need to evaluate our current roster and that’s the most important thing. I’m more concerned with what our guys strengths are, especially when it comes to our ability to try to hit the ground running. We lost one of our leading scorers so, who is going to pick up that slack? And who is going to step up in that regard. It may be a freshman or sophomore that will all of a sudden be contributing another ten minutes a game. He’s got to make sure his development is ready to help in that regard.
*Since this interview was conducted, Jason Todd has announced he will be transferring. This will open a scholarship for Porter to offer.
Contact sports editor Malika Andrews and andrewsm17@up.edu or on Twitter @malika_andrews.
