Sarama, Cavs’ Assistant, Will Lead the Fire: New Coach with an Innovative Approach

Alex Sarama, New Coach of the Portland Fire

The Portland Fire, a WNBA expansion team, has announced Alex Sarama as their head coach. Sarama, coming from the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, arrives with the mission of leading the project from its inception. Sarama is recognized for his knowledge of an innovative training system that has gained popularity in European basketball and is gaining ground in the NBA. Players like Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and coaches like Kenny Atkinson of the Cavaliers are proponents of this methodology.

Having the opportunity to implement CLA (Constraint-Led Approach) principles with an expansion team is an ideal scenario, because we can hire people who fit within the new system and not have to unlearn a previous system.

Alex Sarama

Sarama explained that the structure of an expansion team allows it to implement its philosophy in an integral way, seeking harmony in all departments. The Fire’s general manager, Vanja Černivec, who joins the team from the Golden State Valkyries, highlights Sarama’s vision and focus. Černivec, with a deep understanding of the European market, met Sarama years ago at the NBA office in Madrid, being impressed by her intellect and passion for training.

For me, he was a genius… His obsession was always training.

Vanja Černivec

Sarama, in addition to running his own academy, had successful experiences as a coach with the London Lions and Paris Basketball. His fame grew after the publication of his book “Transforming Basketball” in 2024. Atkinson, after reading the book, brought him on as a player development coach for the Cavaliers. The CLA methodology focuses on adaptability, improvisation, and decision-making, rather than predetermined patterns and exercises. Sarama implements games with constraints, such as changes in rules or time limits, to force players to make decisions under pressure.

Players love it because it’s a nice change from what they’ve always done in their NBA careers… It’s much more appealing, and when you never know what you might do in a workout instead of doing the same six NBA drills, which all teams do in every practice. Just arriving and knowing that there’s going to be something more creative. I just think it really resonates.

Alex Sarama

Hiring NBA coaches is becoming increasingly common in the WNBA, following the success of teams like the Phoenix Mercury and the Golden State Valkyries. 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 the negotiation of the WNBA collective bargaining agreement. The Fire are expected to start playing in May 2026.