Terry Porter

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Porter's journey began at Milwaukee's South Division High School before he became a standout at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, an NAIA school. As a junior, he averaged 18.8 points while shooting over 65 percent from the floor, earning NAIA First-Team All-American honors twice and the Player of the Year award. In the 1984 NAIA tournament, his team lost to Fort Hays State, and the MVP went to a player from the winning team. His performance caught national attention, leading to an invitation to the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team trials alongside stars like Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing—though he wasn't the only NAIA player invited. Although he made the final 20 while battling chicken pox, a guard-heavy roster led to his cut on May 14, 1984, joining Charles Barkley and John Stockton among those released.

In Their Own Story

On February 5, 1987, Porter etched his name in Blazers history with his first career triple-double: 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists in a 105–104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Just a month later, he recorded a second triple-double against the Seattle SuperSonics. The following season proved historic; during 1987–88, Porter averaged 10.1 assists per game, the only player in franchise history to reach double digits in that category. He scored a career-high 40 points on March 18, 1988, against the Golden State Warriors and dished out a franchise-record 19 assists on April 14 against the Utah Jazz. Leading Portland to two NBA Finals appearances (1990 and 1992), Porter was selected for the All-Star Game in 1991 and 1993, cementing his legacy before eventually totaling 5,319 assists as a Blazer.

Reader's Guide

Porter's career extended well beyond Portland. He signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves prior to the 1995–96 season, helping them secure their first playoff berth in 1996–97 and their first winning season shortly after. A brief stint with the Miami Heat saw him score a season-high 21 points on February 9, 1999. In his final chapter as a player, he joined the San Antonio Spurs for the 1999–2000 season. At age 38 during the 2001 playoffs, Porter started all 13 games as the Spurs reached the Western Conference Finals, averaging 8.3 points and 3.4 assists. Over his 17-year career, he played 1,274 games, scoring 15,586 points with averages of 12.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. As of August 2021, he ranked 17th on the NBA's all-time assists list with 7,160.

Did You Know?

• Porter was one of several NAIA players invited to the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team trials.
• He made the final 20 for the Olympic team while battling chicken pox but was cut due to a guard-heavy roster.
• Porter is the only player in Trail Blazers history to average double-digit assists (10.1) in a single season.
• As of August 2021, he ranked approximately 20th on the NBA's all-time assists list with 7,160 career assists.
• He was fired as head coach of the Phoenix Suns after just 51 games but later returned to Portland as a scout in 2025.

From NAIA Underdog to Olympic Trials

Porter played prep basketball at Milwaukee's South Division High School before attending the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Over four seasons there, he averaged 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 58.9 percent from the floor. He earned NAIA First-Team All-American honors as both a junior and senior, winning Player of the Year as a junior and tournament MVP in 1984 despite a championship loss to Fort Hays State. Uniquely, he was the only NAIA player invited to the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team trials, which featured legends like Michael Jordan and Steve Alford. He made the final 20 while sick with chicken pox but was cut on May 13, 1984, alongside Charles Barkley and John Stockton due to a surplus of guards.

The Architect of Portland's Golden Era

Drafted 24th overall by the Trail Blazers on June 18, 1985, Porter quickly became a cornerstone. On February 5, 1987, he recorded his first triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists) in a win over the Lakers. In the 1987–88 season, he averaged 10.1 assists per game, becoming the only Blazer to average double digits in that category. His career highs included 40 points against Golden State on March 18, 1988, and 19 assists against Utah on April 14 of the same year. During his decade in Portland, he led the team to two NBA Finals appearances (1990, 1992) and earned All-Star nods in 1991 and 1993. On May 2, 1995, he recorded his final Blazers assists (5,318 and 5,319). He received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1993 and remained the franchise's all-time assists leader with 5,319 as of 2010.

A Veteran's Final Chapters

After leaving Portland, Porter signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 1995–96 season, aiding their first playoff run in 1996–97 and their first winning season the next year. He joined the Miami Heat on January 22, 1999, scoring a season-high 21 points against Boston on February 9. Prior to the 1999–2000 season, he signed with the San Antonio Spurs. At age 38 during the 2001 playoffs, he started all 13 games as the Spurs reached the Western Conference Finals, averaging 8.3 points and 3.4 assists. He retired after the 2001–02 season. His career totals include 15,586 points in 1,274 games with averages of 12.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 1.2 steals. As of August 2021, he stood 17th on the NBA's all-time assists list with 7,160.

Coaching Legacy and Academic Roots

Porter transitioned to coaching in 2002–03 as an assistant for the Sacramento Kings. On August 6, 2003, he became head coach of his hometown Milwaukee Bucks but was released during the 2005 offseason after missing the playoffs. He coached his son's fifth-grade team to an undefeated season before joining the Detroit Pistons staff in 2006–07. Porter was named head coach of the Phoenix Suns on June 9, 2008, but was fired on February 16, 2009, after a 28–23 start. He later served as an assistant and acting head coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2013. In college basketball, he was hired by the University of Portland on April 2, 2016, but was fired on February 5, 2021, with a record of 43–103. On September 28, 2025, he was hired as a scout for the Trail Blazers.