Oregon Public Broadcasting

Nearly a month after the Portland Trail Blazers fired well-known general manager, Kevin Pritchard, the team has his replacement. The Blazers announced Monday that they've chosen an executive from a Western Conference rival.

Richard Cho is the assistant general manager for the Oklahoma City Thunder – the team that used to be the Seattle Supersonics.

Cho told Blazers' Broadcasting in an online interview that he's happy to return to the Northwest.

Richard Cho: "Grew up here, went to school here – went to school here, went to school at Washington State. I'm just really excited to be a Trail Blazer. I know the fans in Portland are great. I was lucky enough to be at the 100th straight sell-out so that really tells you something about the fans here, their passion and their support, and I'm just really excited to be here."

In written statements, the Blazers' president Larry Miller called Cho an "inspirational" addition to the team.

Owner Paul Allen wrote that Cho is part of a "new generation" of NBA executives.

Richard Cho is 44 and started his NBA career as an intern with the Sonics.