Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Terry Porter is a retired American professional basketball player and coach, renowned for his tenure as a point guard in the NBA, particularly with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Player Profile
Personal Information:
- Full Name: Terry Porter
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: April 8, 1963
- Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm)
- Weight: 195 pounds (88 kg)
- Position: Point Guard
- Jersey Number: 30
Education:
- High School: South Division High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- College: University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Professional Career:
- NBA Draft: Selected in the 1st round (24th overall) by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA Draft
- Teams Played For:
- Portland Trail Blazers (1985–1995)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–1998)
- Miami Heat (1998–1999)
- San Antonio Spurs (1999–2002)
- NBA Championship Rings: None
Career Highlights:
- Two-time NBA All-Star (1991, 1993)
- Portland Trail Blazers all-time leader in assists
- Jersey number 30 retired by the Portland Trail Blazers
Post-Retirement:
- Served as head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks (2003–2005) and Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
- Head coach of the University of Portland men’s basketball team (2016–2021)
Personal Life:
- Family: Married to Susie; they have three children: Brianna, Franklin, and Malcolm
- Siblings: Youngest of six children
Player Archetype / Play Style
Terry Porter fit the archetype of a steady floor-general point guard, the kind of lead ball-handler who could organize an offense, make sound reads, and still punish teams with timely scoring. Defensively, he handled regular backcourt assignments and brought value through positioning, toughness, and discipline more than flashy disruption. Offensively, he operated as a primary initiator who balanced playmaking with efficient perimeter scoring, especially as a shooter who could space the floor when defenses sagged. Physically, Porter was listed at 6’3″ and 205 pounds by NBA.com, giving him a sturdy guard frame that matched his controlled, durable style. His overall play style was calm and efficient: a smart, reliable point guard who kept offenses on schedule, made the extra pass, hit big outside shots, and blended leadership with low-drama production. (NBA)
Sources: Terry Porter player profile — NBA.com; Terry Porter stats, height, weight, position, draft status and more — Basketball-Reference; Blazers Top 100: The Guard Nobody Knew — Blazer’s Edge; Terry Porter (1963–) — The Oregon Encyclopedia