Alex Sarama, Cavs Assistant, Will Lead New WNBA Team

Alex Sarama Will Lead the New WNBA Team in Portland

The Portland Fire have announced Alex Sarama, assistant coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the head coach of their new team in the WNBA. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the expansion franchise, which is preparing for its inaugural season. Sarama is recognized as an expert in an innovative training system that has gained popularity in European basketball, soccer, and, increasingly, in the NBA. This approach, known as CLA (Constraint-Led Approach), has captured the attention of prominent figures in sports.

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

Alex Sarama

Sarama explained that CLA’s philosophy focuses on adaptability, improvisation, and decision-making, rather than predetermined movement patterns and exercises. This approach seeks to challenge players and foster their creativity on the court. Vanja Černivec, the team’s general manager, highlights the importance of this new approach and the opportunity to build a team from scratch, allowing for the comprehensive implementation of the CLA system. Černivec’s experience in the European market and his connection with Sarama, whom he met at the NBA office in Madrid, have been key to this project. Černivec admires Sarama’s vision and his passion for training. Sarama has had a successful career as a coach, including stints with the London Lions, Paris Basketball, and RipCity Remix. His fame was consolidated with the publication of his book “Transforming Basketball” in 2024. The CLA methodology focuses on games with constraints, such as changes in rules, scoring, or time limits, to force players to make decisions under pressure. Sarama emphasizes that this approach is well-received by players. Sarama and the Fire are still in conversations with the Cavaliers about her departure date from Cleveland and her full-time start in Portland. The WNBA collective bargaining agreement expires on October 31, and negotiations on the new agreement could affect the expansion draft and free agency.