Men's Basketball: Raiford To Portland State

After three seasons as the top assistant for the Pacific men's basketball program, Wendell Raiford is moving back to the Division I ranks.

Raiford has accepted a position as an assistant coach at Portland State, where he work under third year head coach Ken Bone. Before coming to Pacific when Lowery became head coach in 2005, Raiford had spent three seasons as a graduate assistant at Oregon State.

Wendell has always wanted to get back into the Division I ranks, and I am happy to see that he got his opportunity to get back there. He joins Portland State at the right time. The Vikings went 23-10, won the Big Sky Conference tournament and advanced to their first NCAA Division I Tournament where they lost in the first round to eventual national champion Kansas.

In his place, Lowery is bringing back a couple of former players who have remained connected to the program since turning in their uniforms. Branden Kawazoe was a four-year player for the Boxers, earning Honorable Mention All-NWC honors at guard in 2005 and 2006. Jason Townsend played for Lowery in 2004-05 and 2005-06, but saw his effectiveness limited by injuries.

Kawazoe and Townsend will join current assistant coach (and Pacific golf coach) Richard Warren.