mike schmitz

Mike Schmitz enters his third season as Assistant General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, bringing a wealth of experience in basketball talent evaluation across America, Africa, Europe, and beyond. Widely respected for his eye for emerging talent, Mike previously served as an acclaimed NBA Draft Analyst for ESPN and a contributor to DraftExpress.com, a trusted scouting service for NBA, NCAA, and international teams.

In addition to his front office expertise, Mike has made a meaningful impact on African basketball. Since 2018, he has served as an assistant coach for the Uganda Men’s National Team, helping elevate the program’s competitive level on the continent. His commitment to Africa extends beyond the court—over the past three years, he has traveled to Nigeria with the Smart Sport Foundation, actively supporting its mission to provide opportunities to young athletes and coaches through resources, training, and development programs.

Mike’s background also includes roles as a video coordinator in the NBA G League and as a writer and analyst covering the Phoenix Suns. A graduate of the University of Arizona, he continues to use his global basketball network and expertise to empower the next generation of players and coaches, particularly across Africa.