PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Fire introduced the franchise’s first general manager , Vanja Černivec, on Tuesday at a press conference alongside Interim President Clare Hamill.

“When we all met Vanja, we knew she was exactly right for this big vision in Portland,” Hamill said.

Černivec will oversee all basketball operations, including leading the search for the team’s head coach, roster construction and player development. She plans to continue in her role as the Golden State Valkyries’ vice president of basketball operations until she officially transitions to Portland’s general manager on Sept. 15.

Her top priority will be hiring the team’s first head coach.

“One of my first priorities when I started this job, and it’s going to be crucial that we’re bringing in someone that’s going

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