Athletics
April 26, 2023
NBA G League’s Record 31st Team to Debut in 2023-24 Season
The Portland Trail Blazers and the NBA G League today announced that the Trail Blazers have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team that will launch in the Chiles Center on the University of Portland's campus in North Portland. The team is expected to debut in the 2023-24 season. With today's announcement, the NBA G League expands to a record 31 teams for the 2023-24 season. The name and brand identity of the team will be announced at a later date, as well as the front office and coaching staff.
Chiles Center serves as the home for the University of Portland's Division I athletics programs competing in the West Coast Conference. Opened in 1984, the 4,852-seat convocation dome has hosted numerous high-profile events including college basketball's Phil Knight tournaments last November, as well as the 1992 and 2007 West Coast Conference Basketball Championships. The venue also annually hosts the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) 6A Boys and Girls Basketball State Championships. The University has previously partnered with the Trail Blazers on hosting countless NBA events over the last decade including a successful partnership that resulted in the 2030 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four recently being awarded to the City of Portland.
"I'm excited to welcome Jody Allen and the Trail Blazers ownership group to the NBA G League family," said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. "The NBA G League continues to grow to meet the developmental demands of NBA teams, and today's announcement is further proof of the value the league provides to the NBA every day. I can't wait to watch the team tip off at the Chiles Center next season."
"It was very important to our organization to enter the G League with an affiliate here in Portland and strategically strengthen our dedication to player development," said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. "I would especially like to thank Jody Allen, who is aligned with Dewayne and myself, to make it a priority to have this team ready for next season as it will serve not only as a developmental tool for players but also for aspiring coaches and staff while we continue to be a mainstay in the community as a whole."
"Entering the G League with a team of our own will increase development in numerous areas," said Dewayne Hankins, Portland Trail Blazers President of Business Operations. "Not only will this team be an asset for developing young talent on the court, but developing talent off the court as well. We'll be leaning into an innovative approach that will improve all aspects of our business across both teams. With the team launching at the University of Portland, we're excited to continue engaging with the North Portland community."
"We are excited to continue to grow our partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers and welcome the NBA G League to campus," said Scott Leykam, University of Portland Vice President for Athletics. "With the excitement around UP men's and women's basketball, annually hosting the OSAA State Championships and now the addition of a G League team, the Chiles Center and UP Athletics will now host over 200 events annually and serve as the community hub for fans of basketball at all levels. This partnership will also give numerous UP students valuable on-campus work experience and internships with a storied professional sports franchise."
"Pilot Nation is thrilled to welcome the Trail Blazers G League franchise to their home on The Bluff," said University of Portland President Robert D. Kelly, PhD. "UP has a rich and storied athletic tradition, and we couldn't be more excited to continue that tradition by hosting this new franchise on our beautiful campus. I am grateful to our friends from the Portland Trail Blazers and our Athletic Department staff for making this wonderful partnership happen, and I can't wait for the inaugural season to begin!"
Fans interested in season or single-game tickets, team news, and anything else related to the new team can visit www.ripcitygleague.com for more information.
To finish the 2022-23 NBA season, nine Trail Blazers had NBA G League experience: Ibou Badji, John Butler Jr., Chance Comanche, Drew Eubanks, Keon Johnson, Skylar Mays, Justin Minaya, Anfernee Simons and Jeenathan Williams. Since the NBA G League was established in 2001, Portland has called up a total of 20 players, including 13 over the last two seasons. The Trail Blazers have assigned 27 players to the NBA G League for development or injury rehabilitation while Portland assistant coaches Jonah Herscu, Steve Hetzel and Roy Rogers spent time coaching in the G League.
The NBA G League is a proven developer of NBA talent while also acting as the league's research and development laboratory, testing out innovative rules now used as the NBA level including the Coach's Challenge and the 14-second shot-clock reset rule. Currently, more than half of players on NBA rosters have G League experience, while seven NBA head coaches spent time honing their craft in the G League. In addition, half of the first-round picks in the NBA Draft 2022 presented by State Farm® have played games in the G League this season.
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About the NBA G League
The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 30 teams, 28 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2022-23, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. A record 47 percent of all players on 2022-23 NBA opening night rosters boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.
About the Portland Trail Blazers
Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by the late Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team's rich heritage includes 37 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service and sustainability. The Trail Blazers are dedicated to positively impacting underserved kids and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington where they live, learn and play. Portland is the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers home arena, Moda Center, is the first existing arena to earn LEED Platinum Certification in 2019 after receiving LEED Gold Recertification in 2015 and becoming the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEED Gold status in 2010. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information, visit trailblazers.com.
About University of Portland
The University of Portland is an independently governed Catholic university guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross; with a mission focusing on teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership. The University of Portland is ranked #1 among colleges and universities in the American West by U.S. News & World Report. University of Portland athletics is a member of the West Coast Conference and competes at the NCAA Division I level in the following varsity sports: baseball (M), basketball (MW), cross country (MW), rowing (W), soccer (MW), tennis (MW), indoor and outdoor track and field (MW), and indoor and beach volleyball (W). For more information, visit PortlandPilots.com.
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