September 30, 2004

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced the hiring of Darnell Valentine as the team's Director of Player Programs.

“We are pleased to be adding Darnell to our basketball team,” said Trail Blazers President Steve Patterson. “I know that Darnell will work with players on an individual basis to make sure they reach their full potential. He is the perfect individual to guide our young players, helping them understand what it means to live and work in Portland and what is expected of them as a Trail Blazer.”

Valentine replaced Jerome Kersey who took a coaching job with the Milwaukee Bucks. He will help implement the franchise's goal of overall player development by providing support on and off the court for every member of the team. The position remains part of the organizations’ 25-point pledge to reconnect to the community. Valentine will assist current players in developing as solid individuals, as well as providing players, especially younger players, with resources and support as they meet various challenges and opportunities they face as NBA players.

“This is an exciting time for the franchise and I am thrilled to be returning to the Trail Blazers,” said Valentine. “I have always loved the city of Portland and have made it my home since my playing days. I am looking forward to helping young athletes develop, providing direction and attention to the players as individuals, not just as basketball players but as responsible and significant contributors to society.”

Selected by the Trail Blazers in the first round (16th pick overall) of the 1981 NBA Draft, Darnell spent 4½ years in a Trail Blazers uniform. In 300 regular season games with Portland, he averaged 9.8ppg, 2.3rpg and 5.4apg. Darnell also played for the L.A. Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers during his 10-year NBA career. He owns career averages of 8.7ppg, 2.1rpg and 5.0apg in 620 NBA contests. After completing his NBA career, Darnell played three seasons in the Italian Basketball League. Darnell played his college basketball at the University of Kansas where he was a three-time Academic All-American and was a member of the 1980 Olympic men's basketball team.

For the past 10 years, Valentine has served as a Regional Representative for the National Basketball Players Association. He helped facilitate NBPA player development meetings, worked on the NBA All-Star Game player's meetings and the NBA player's annual summer meeting. Valentine also participated in the Top 100 High School Players' Camp sponsored by the NBPA.

Valentine played his college basketball at the University of Kansas where he was a three-time Academic All-American and was a member of the 1980 Olympic men's basketball team.

He has been involved with the Trail Blazers Alumni Team and various community sponsored youth basketball clinics as well as serving as a motivational speaker at various schools and community organizations.

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