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Former Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool will interview for the Houston Rockets’ vacant head coaching position. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweeted the news this morning.
Minnesota Timberwolves associate HC David Vanterpool will interview for the Houston Rockets head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Vanterpool spent seven seasons on Portland staff before becoming the top assistant with Minnesota a year ago.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 2, 2020
Vanterpool’s name has been mentioned in conjunction with multiple positions over the years, but he has yet to land his first lead position in the NBA. He is known for defensive acumen and the ability to build relationships with players.
Vanterpool spent seven years with the Trail Blazers organization, from the summer of 2012 through the summer of 2019. He left one season ago to take an assistant coaching position with the Minnesota Timberwolves under Head Coach Ryan Saunders. His Portland tenure encompassed the growth curves of guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, whose development he is associated with.
Fellow SBNation site The Bird Writes published an extensive look at Vanterpool’s history last month, including his relationship with Lillard, McCollum, and the Blazers.