PORTLAND — Friday afternoon it was announced that Portland Trail Blazers legend Terry Porter will be the new head coach for the University of Portland men’s basketball team.
Coincidentally, one of the school’s most well-known basketball alums, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, was back in his native Pacific Northwest. He was actually on his way to congratulate Porter in person before the Heat took on the Blazers Saturday night.
“Terry is one of my favorite people. I think it’s common for a lot of Portlanders,” Spoelstra said. “He’s probably, so many of my generation’s favorite Blazers. But it’s going to be a great boost for the program.”
Spoelstra said that he’s never seen the level of interest in UP basketball that he has seen since news of the hiring became public.