The Portland Trail Blazers have launched a campaign promoting forward Toumani Camara for NBA defensive player of the year.
The franchise sent out locked plastic cases to NBA awards voters and national media members that can only be opened with a combination, which is “033.” Camara’s jersey number is 33.
Inside is a small bag of Belgian waffle mix, a small bottle of maple syrup and instructions for making waffles.
Camara, who is averaging 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks per game, is from Brussels, Belgium.
Also included is a card with a QR Code to a website promoting Camara. The site consists of statistics and information, making the case for Camara.
Toumani Camara DPOY case
The Trail Blazers sent these cases out to NBA award voters to promote Toumani Camara for NBA defensive player of the year. The case includes Belgian Waffle mix and maple syrup. March 31, 2025. (Aaron Fentress - The Oregonian).Aaron Fentress
Camara, in his second season out of Dayton, became a viable candidate for defensive player of the year after being named Western Conference defensive player of the month for February.
That month, he recorded 24 steals, tied for the most in the conference. He was the only player in the West with 50-plus defensive rebounds, 20-plus steals and 10-plus blocks in the month.
Other statistics listed as of March 27:
First in charges drawn (29).
First in offensive fouls drawn (83).
Third in defensive stops (239).
Tied for fourth in steals (109).
The site also includes testimonials from coaches and players, and video clips of Camara defending LeBron James, Damian Lillard, Trae Young and Nikola Jokic.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (#33) defends a shot against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (#23) during an NBA game at Moda Center on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Camara is a longshot to receive defensive player of the year. The top candidates are Golden State’s Draymond Green, Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr., Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels and Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort.
However, Camara has a shot at being named to an All-Defensive team.
Blazers receiving such honors is unusual. Not one has ever been named defensive player of the year and just eight players have ever been named to the All-Defensive team.
Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas, Lionel Hollins and Buck Williams are the only four ever selected first-team All-Defense.
Williams was the last to do it during the 1990-91 season. He and Walton accomplished the feat twice.
The last Blazers player to at least be named to the second team was center Theo Ratliff during the 2003-2004 season.
Here’s a look at the list:
2003-2004: Theo Ratliff, second-team All-Defense.
1999-2000: Scottie Pippen, second-team All-Defense.
1991-92: Buck Williams, second-team All-Defense.
1990-91: Buck Williams, first-team All-Defense.
1989-90: Buck Williams, first-team All-Defense.
1980-81: Kermit Washington, second-team All-Defense.
1979-80: Kermit Washington, second-team All-Defense.
1978-79: Maurice Lucas and Lionel Hollins, second-team All-Defense.
1977-78: Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas and Lionel Hollins, first-team All-Defense. Bobby Gross, second-team All-Defense.
1976-77: Bill Walton, first-team All-Defense.
The Blazers (32-43) play at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Atlanta Hawks (36-38).
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)