Simpson graduate Chad Buchanan has been promoted to director of college scouting for the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. Buchanan has served as a domestic scout for the Trail Blazers since 2004.

A three-year letterwinner for the Storm, Buchanan, a 1995 graduate, holds Simpson school records for Prior to joining the Portland staff, for most made three-pointers in a season (81, 1994-95) and most attempted 3-pointers in a game (13, vs Rust, Nov. 29, 1994). He is second in school history in career made 3-pointers (328). Buchanan also lettered in baseball as a pitcher at Simpson.

After earning his masters degree at Iowa while a grad assistant, Buchanan served as an assistant men's basketball and men's golf coach at Simpson from 1997-2003. Buchanan led the Storm golf team to a third place finish at 2003 Iowa Conference championships. Buchanan served as an assistant men's basketball coach under Tom Davis for the 2003-04 season prior to joining the Trail Blazers.

Portland currently holds the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA draft where the team is expected to choose either Ohio State's Greg Oden or Texas' Kevin Durant.