UMaine’s Edniesha Curry joining Trail Blazers staff
ORONO, Maine (BVM) — As the Portland Trail Blazers continue to overhaul their coaching staff under new head coach Chauncey Billups, the team will add an up-and-coming face from the University of Maine coaching tree in Edniesha Curry.
Curry joins the new coaching staff in Portland after stints as an assistant for both the Black Bears’ women’s team and men’s team. After spending the past three seasons on the men’s side, Curry will bring her experience to the next level.
“Eddie was an easy choice as an assistant coach,” Maine head coach Richard Barron said. “She is extremely talented at developing players – especially within the context of defensive and offensive systems. Eddie teaches skills that can be utilized with frequency in a game.
“Eddie is also great at scouting opponents as well as ‘self-scouts’ – breaking down video to find areas of improvement. She knows Maine, knows many of our players, and knows me and my style of play. She has great connections around the world from her extensive playing and coaching background.”
The former University of Oregon standout made a name for herself on the court during the 2002 season when she led the Ducks to a WNIT championship after transferring to the program for her senior year. Curry would go on to play in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks following her collegiate career.
After her playing career ended overseas, Curry served as a marketing assistant with the NBA and WNBA before kicking off her coaching career in Vietnam, China, Israel and Palestine. Her first taste of NBA coaching action came in 2019 when she was featured as a guest coach with the San Antonio Spurs, working closely with the organization’s summer league teams.
The 42-year-old assistant will join an experienced coaching staff, with Portland already adding former Oklahoma City and Washington head coach Scott Brooks and former Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Roy Rogers. Curry becomes the first female assistant coach in Portland Trail Blazers history.
