Trail Blazers hire Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Fleming as assistant coaches – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

The Portland Trail Blazers have named Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Fleming as assistant coaches on Head Coach Chauncey Billups’ staff.

During the 2023-24 season, Bjorkgren served as a Special Assistant to the Coaching Staff for the Trail Blazers. Prior to this past season, Bjorkgren served an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors (2021-23, 2018-2020) and was the head coach of the Indiana Pacers for the 2020-2021 season. A professional basketball coach of 17 years, Bjorkgren’s first NBA coaching job came as an assistant with the Phoenix Suns (2015-17).
A native of Storm Lake, Iowa, Bjorkgren began his professional coaching career with the Iowa Energy (2007-2011) of the NBA G League as an assistant coach, helping the team win a championship in 2010-11 before becoming the head coach of the Dakota Wizards prior to their move to Santa Cruz. The Warriors appeared in the Finals in their first season in Santa Cruz under Bjorkgren during the 2012-13 season. Bjorkgren also had NBA G League head coaching stops with the Iowa Energy (2013-14) and Bakersfield Jam (2014-15).

Fleming spent the last five seasons (2019-2024) as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls and will be entering his 10th season as an NBA Coach. Prior to Chicago, Fleming spent three seasons (2016-19) as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets, helping the team improve its win total each season. Fleming’s NBA coaching career began with the Denver Nuggets in 2015-16.

The Forked River, NJ, native served as a head coach in Germany for 14 years where he spent eight seasons (2000-08) with QSTV/Artland Dragons in Quakenbrϋck and six seasons (2008-14) with Brose Baskets Bamberg, where he led Brose Baskets to four German League championships and was named the German League Coach of the Year in 2011. During his time in Germany, Fleming captured four Germany Cup championships along with three German Supercup championships and spent three seasons (2014-18) coaching the German national team.