Alex Sarama, Cavs Assistant, Will Lead New WNBA Team

Alex Sarama to Lead Portland Fire in Inaugural Season

The Portland Fire, a WNBA expansion team, has announced Alex Sarama as their head coach for the inaugural season. Sarama, who served as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers, arrives with an innovative proposal for women’s basketball. Sarama is recognized for his knowledge of the CLA (Constraints-Led Approach) training system, which has gained popularity in European basketball and the NBA. This approach focuses on adaptability, improvisation, and decision-making, rather than predefined movement patterns.

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

Alex Sarama

The team’s general manager, Vanja Černivec, who comes from the Golden State Valkyries, highlights the importance of this new approach and the opportunity to build a team from scratch, implementing a unified system. Černivec, with a deep understanding of the European market, met Sarama years ago, being impressed by her intellect and passion for training. Sarama, before joining the Cavaliers, had successful experiences with the London Lions, Paris Basketball and RipCity Remix, consolidating her reputation with the publication of her book “Transforming Basketball” in 2024. The CLA method is based on small-sided games with specific constraints, such as changes in rules or time limits, to force players to make decisions under pressure. Sarama has expressed that the players welcome this method very well, considering it a refreshing change compared to traditional NBA training. The implementation of this approach in Portland seeks to generate a more creative and attractive environment. The arrival of coaches from the NBA to the WNBA is a growing trend, as demonstrated by the success of teams like the Phoenix Mercury and the Valkyries coach, Natalie Nakase, who was named Coach of the Year. Sarama and the Cavaliers are in conversations about the date of her departure from Cleveland and her full-time incorporation in Portland. Due to the expiration of the WNBA collective bargaining agreement on October 31, and pending negotiations on the new agreement, an exact date has not yet been defined. However, Sarama is expected to start in Portland as soon as possible, to prepare for the team’s debut in May 2026.