Portland Trail Blazers: Who is Cameron McGriff

The Portland Trail Blazers have been nearly impossible to watch for the majority of the season. Dedicated fans and media members like myself have had to find silver linings among a monstrosity of a gloomy, infinite storm cloud. Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little have shined a little light on the sunless city of Portland, but a new star has arrived and his name is Cameron McGriff.

Signed on a hardship 10-day contract, McGriff has won over the hearts of the Portland Trail Blazers faithful with his effort and professionalism — two qualities that have been scarce among Blazers game this season.

Through three games and 46 total minutes — games that Portland lost by 15, 15, and 33 — McGriff has somehow been a plus-eight in his time on the floor, according to statmuse. That achievement alone should be worth a full-time contract, or at least a mini-biography from yours truly.

Portland Trail Blazers player spotlight: Cameron McGriff

Cameron McGriff is a 24-year-old, 6’7, 230-lb athletic marvel from Grand Prairie, Texas. He graduated from South Grand Prairie High School as a 4-star recruit. He was also named to the Dallas Morning News All-Area First Team. At SGPHS, he was a two-sport athlete, also suiting up for the football team.

He chose to join the Oklahoma State Cowboys after receiving offers from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Miami, and other top basketball programs.

He played all four seasons for the Cowboys, studying recreational management in his time at OSU. As a junior and senior, he led the team in points and rebounds for two straight seasons.

His senior year, he tallied 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 45 percent from the floor, 31 from deep, and 83 from the stripe. For his career with OSU, he finished in the top-20 among all-time players in rebounds, blocks, and free throw percentage, according to Oklahoma State.

After his stint with the Cowboys, he spent a year playing for Okapi Aalstar in Belgium’s top-basketball league. There, he averaged 13.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 27 minutes per game, while slashing 47/38/89.

In 2021, he returned stateside to play for the Charlotte Hornet’s G-League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm.

There, he caught the eye of Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin while putting up 10.6 points and 4.1 rebounds a night in 12 games played. His growth as a shooter since leaving college has been notable, slashing nearly 50/40/90 for the Swarm.

What’s next for Cameron McGriff?

McGriff was signed to his 10-day contract on December 26th, so Portland will either need to give him an additional 10-day or sign him for the rest of the season.

As he just entered the NBA’s COVID health and safety protocols, there’s a chance we might have already seen McGriff suit up for the Blazers for the last time. In three short games, he’s been asked to guard LeBron James, Kristaps Porzingis, and Rudy Gobert on different occasions and performed admirably. In my heart, he’s already a Blazers legend.

I’m nearly certain that he’ll earn at least another 10-day during this season, and hopefully, it will be with the Portland Trail Blazers.