The Portland Trail Blazers put their best foot forward, promoting Toumani Camara for defensive player of the year.
The franchise sent voters locked plastic cases opened with a combination of “033.” Camara’s jersey number is 33.
Inside was a small bag of Belgian waffle mix and a small bottle of maple syrup. Instructions for making waffles were included.
The effort, however, didn’t result in Camara being named a finalist for the award when finalists were announced on Sunday. The list consisted of Atlanta guard Dyson Daniels, Golden State forward Draymond Green and Cleveland forward/center Evan Mobley.
Nevertheless, Camara landing on the All-Defensive teams remains a strong possibility. Camara said he was impressed by the effort made to promote him
“I think it was dope,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to be like that. The media team and everybody with the organization did an amazing job on trying to get my input into things … I feel like the attention to details and what they were trying to do, they mastered, and they did a great job at that, for sure.”
Camara’s chances of winning the award were always remote. However, after establishing himself as a defensive presence in his rookie season, Camara became one of the NBA’s most respected perimeter defenders during his second season.
Guard Matisse Thybulle credited Camara for helping to shape the team’s defensive identity, which led to a turnaround during the second half of the season.
“Honestly, I think Toumani played a big role in that,” Thybulle said. “When you can see someone have that much success, and that much impact, it just becomes contagious. And everyone started to pick up on it, and it became our identity.”
For Camara, achieving a level of success was expected. But he didn’t see it coming this quickly.
“I knew I was going to be able to be whoever I want to be in a certain way,” Camara said. “I believe in my work ethic and I knew one day I was going to be able to establish myself pretty good in the NBA. Now, how fast it was going to happen and when it was going to happen, it was not something that I ever pictured. It was just trying to go day by day. And very grateful for everything that’s been going on for me this year.”
Toumani Camara #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots against Orlando Robinson #21 of the Toronto Raptors during the first half at Moda Center on March 16, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)Getty Images
The 2023 second-round pick out of Dayton is only just getting started. Especially offensively. His three-point shooting leaped from 33.7% as a rookie to 37.5% this season, making him a legitimate “3-and-D” NBA threat whose shot must be respected. The rest of his offense remains a work in progress, but he took steps in all areas this season.
“I think offensively, I’m still very raw,” he said. “This past two years, I had to play a different role and kind of like, switch my game and try to adapt to a lot of new things. So, I think it’s just a matter of time for me to get comfortable in the situation that I’m in today offensively.”
Earlier in the season, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praised Camara’s growth as a leader and credited it to his defensive effort, which established his credibility.
Camara said he has grown more comfortable.
“I just try to be consistent vocally and keep on trying to lead the team,” he said.
The Blazers’ promotional video on Camara revealed his respect for football defensive backs and how they are often required to lock in on receivers in man-to-man defense. However, he couldn’t see himself playing football at that level.
“I feel like you’ve got to grow into that space to really want to do it at a high level,” Camara said. “Just because their hits and everything are a different level.”
But he appreciates their skill, footwork and focus on preventing their opponent from, as he does on the basketball court.
“I feel like if I put all of my effort into it, I feel like it’s something that I could enjoy, too,” he said. “I enjoy the way the game is played. I feel like I could watch a little bit more. But I was always impressed by how they play defense and how it’s always a one-on-one game for DBs, almost most of the time.”
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)