Wendell Raiford joins the Portland State basketball staff as director of basketball operations this season. In his role, Raiford handles various administrative tasks for the program, including running the program’s summer camps, organizing on-campus recruiting visits and coordinating recruiting databases.

Raiford, a native of Portland, graduated in 2002 with a degree in Sociology and Communications from Oregon State University. While at OSU, he worked as a Graduate Assistant for the OSU men’s basketball team. In 2004-05 he worked daily with the team as they advanced to the first round of the NIT Tournament. OSU posted its first winning record in 15 seasons.

He served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Pacific (OR) from 2005 to 2007 where he was involved in all facets of the program, including on-floor coaching, recruiting, academic support, individual conditioning workouts and scouting. He has also coached AAU basketball with the Portland Legends and ICA Panthers.

While assisting with the Viking program, Raiford is working toward a Masters degree in College Student Services Administration by the end of spring term.