Alex Sarama, Cavs Assistant, Will Lead the Fire in the WNBA

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 inaugural head coach of their expansion franchise in the WNBA. The news was confirmed by the team and Sarama himself. 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 has been adopted by 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 (Constraints-Led Approach) with an expansion team is ideal.

Alex Sarama

Sarama explained that the possibility of applying CLA principles with an expansion team is a perfect situation. This allows him and the general manager, Vanja Černivec, to select personnel that fits the new system, avoiding the need to unlearn previous methods. The coach highlighted the uniqueness of this opportunity and the possibility of influencing each department, creating a unified and harmonious approach. While it will be a challenge for any expansion team to match the success of the Golden State Valkyries in their first year in the WNBA, the Fire are confident in their leaders and their innovative approach. Černivec, who comes from the Valkyries where she served as vice president of basketball operations, possesses a deep knowledge of the European market. She met Sarama years ago at the NBA office in Madrid, being impressed by his intellect and passion for coaching.

For me, he was a genius.

Vanja Černivec

In addition to his academy, Sarama had successful stints as a coach with the London Lions, Paris Basketball, and RipCity Remix. His recognition grew after the publication of his book “Transforming Basketball” in 2024. Atkinson, who read the book, incorporated him as a player development coach for the Cavaliers. Sarama explained that Atkinson’s support was crucial, since once the players understand the method and see its benefits, and there is a total commitment, greater progress can be achieved. CLA is a training methodology that prioritizes adaptability, improvisation, and decision-making over predetermined patterns and exercises. Sarama rarely repeats the same exercises, using games with constraints such as rule changes, scoring modifications, or time limits to force players to make decisions under pressure. Sarama commented that the players really enjoy this approach, as it offers a significant change from their experience in the NBA. He considers it more attractive and creative compared to traditional routines. Hiring NBA coaches is becoming increasingly common in the WNBA, especially after the success of the Phoenix Mercury with coach Nate Tibbetts and general manager Nick U’Ren, both with experience at the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors, respectively. The Valkyries coach, Natalie Nakase, also came from the NBA.

The good thing is to be able to start from scratch.

Vanja Černivec

Sarama and the Cavaliers are still discussing when she will leave Cleveland to start full-time in Portland. The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement expires on October 31, and it is still unknown how the negotiations will affect the expansion draft and free agency. For now, she will remain in Cleveland, but she hopes that her start in Portland, which will begin playing in May 2026, will not be delayed much.