Fire hires Sarama, Cavs assistant, as head coach

Alex Sarama Will Lead the New WNBA Team in Portland

The Portland Fire have announced Alex Sarama, former assistant of the Cleveland Cavaliers, as their head coach for the inaugural season in the WNBA. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the expansion franchise, which seeks to establish itself in the league with an innovative approach. Sarama is recognized as an expert in a cutting-edge training system that has gained popularity in European basketball and is gaining ground in the NBA. This method, known as the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA), has caught the attention of players like Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and coaches like Kenny Atkinson of the Cavaliers.

Having the opportunity to implement the principles of CLA with an expansion team is an ideal scenario.

Alex Sarama

Sarama explained that the structure of an expansion team offers a unique opportunity to implement their philosophy. Along with General Manager Vanja Černivec, they will be able to select personnel that fits the new system, avoiding the need to unlearn previous methods. This will allow them to create a unified approach where everyone works in harmony. General Manager Vanja Černivec, who previously worked at the Golden State Valkyries, brings a deep understanding of the European market. Her connection with Sarama goes back to her time at the NBA office in Madrid, where she was impressed by his intellect and passion for coaching.

For me, he was a genius.

Vanja Černivec

Sarama, in addition to his experience in academia, has been successful as a coach for the London Lions and Paris Basketball. His reputation grew with the publication of his book “Transforming Basketball” in 2024. Atkinson, upon reading the book, incorporated him as a player development coach for the Cavaliers. The CLA focuses on adaptability, improvisation, and decision-making, rather than predetermined movement patterns and exercises. Sarama rarely repeats the same exercises, using games with restrictions to force players to make decisions under pressure. Sarama commented that the players have shown great acceptance of this method, valuing the change compared to traditional training. This creative and dynamic approach has resonated positively with the players. Hiring NBA coaches in the WNBA is becoming increasingly common, as demonstrated by the success of the Phoenix Mercury and the Golden State Valkyries. This trend underscores the importance of experience and innovation in women’s basketball. Sarama and the Cavaliers are discussing the details of her departure from Cleveland and her full-time incorporation in Portland. Sarama’s start date in Portland could be affected by negotiations over the WNBA collective bargaining agreement, which expires on October 31. Despite this, Sarama expects a quick start in Portland, where the team will begin playing in May 2026.