TORONTO – JANUARY 11: Damon Stoudamire #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against the Toronto Raptors during the game at the Air Canada Center on January 11, 2004 in Toronto, Canada. The Raptors won 83-72. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

(born September 3, 1973) Damon Stoudamire’s family roots are in North and Northeast Portland where he attended Holy Redeemer grade school and Harriet Tubman Middle School.  He is the son of Portland State great Willie Stoudamire and Liz Washington.  Stoudamire was raised by his mother, Liz, and his grandmother, Wanda Stoudamire-Matthews.  He became a household name among Oregonians throughout high school, college and a lengthy NBA career that included seven seasons as a Portland Trail Blazer.

Growing up, his uncles, Charles and Anthony, got him involved in sports, mainly basketball and football and “coached” him through his younger years.  Stoudamire became a standout almost immediately at Wilson High School in Southwest Portland.  He led Wilson to state titles in 1989 and 1991, and the went on to play at the University of Arizona. He helped the Wildcats to the NCAA Final Four in 1994, and was co-Player of the Year in the Pac-10 in 1995.

Later that year, the expansion Toronto Raptors selected him with the seventh pick overall, and he set an NBA record for 3-point shots made by a rookie. He earned the Rookie of the Year award, and earned the nickname “Mighty Mouse” due to his size, 5-foot-10, and Mighty Mouse tattoo which he got on his right arm prior to his rookie season. Damon played three seasons for the Raptors before being traded to the Blazers in 1998.

Returning to Portland as the team’s point guard, Damon led the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals in 1999, and set a team record for points scored in a game with 54 in 2004. He played with the team through 2005, when he moved to the Memphis Grizzlies during the summer. He also played for the San Antonio Spurs in 2008 before retiring having averaged 13.4 points and 6.1 assists per game over 13 seasons.

Damon quickly became an assistant coach at both the college and professional ranks, and was hired at the head coach at University of the Pacific in 2016.