Dawn Staley says she’s talked with Portland Trail Blazers; Becky Hammon a finalist for job, per report

On the day USA Basketball released its roster for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, the team's coach, Dawn Staley, answered questions about a potential future job. 

The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball head coach, leading Team USA on the Olympic stage for the first time next month, confirmed she has spoken with the Portland Trail Blazers about their head coaching position but didn't divulge much. 

"I've talked to the Portland Trail Blazers, and that's the extent of it," she said Monday. "I've talked to them."

Staley had been asked about the Blazers during an appearance earlier Monday on the "Today" show. 

Dawn Staley says she’s spoken to the Portland Trail Blazers but wouldn’t go beyond saying the two sides have been in contact

Additionally, The Athletic reported Becky Hammon is a finalist for the Blazers job. Other candidates include Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D'Antoni, Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups and Lakers assistant Jason Kidd. 

Staley, 51, won three gold medals as a player with Team USA and led South Carolina to the 2017 NCAA championship. The Philadelphia native coached at Temple University for eight years after her playing career before taking the Gamecocks gig. South Carolina made the Final Four again this past season. 

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