The Portland Trail Blazers made forward Al-Farouq Aminu their first signing in early July and he will be the starting small forward this coming season. Before Aminu begins his first training camp with Portland in early October, he will first play for his country in August. From Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype.com:

"Aminu has committed to joining the Nigerian National Team after playing the NBA Africa game in Johannesburg, Nigeria’s head coach Will Voigt told HoopsHype. Nigeria is slated to compete at the Afrobasket next month. The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2016 Olympics."