The Portland Trail Blazers have announced new additions and promotions on their basketball operations staff heading into the 2024-25 NBA season.
Notably, Head Athletic Trainer Courtney Watson has been promoted to director of health and player performance; player development coach Gilbert Abraham has been promoted to director of player development; and Charvette Johnson has joined the Blazers as an assistant athletic trainer after previously serving as the head athletic trainer for the Rip City Remix, the Blazers’ G League affiliate.
Last season was Watson’s first with the Blazers. She had spent the previous 15 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, most recently serving as the director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer for the WNBA franchise. Watson also has a depth of experience as an athletic trainer in the USA basketball system, most recently serving as the head athletic trainer for the USA National 3×3 Team for the women and men at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Blazers initially hired Abraham in June 2023, so last season was also his first in Portland. Before joining the franchise, Abraham served as an assistant coach during the 2022-23 season for the Austin Spurs, the G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs.
Among the list of new additions and promotions, the winner for “Best Job Title” goes to Alexander Powell, who has been named director of basketball innovation. Before joining the Blazers, Powell spent six years with the Charlotte Hornets as head of quantitative analysis.
You can view the full list here.
