Successful Finnish coach Tuomas Iisalo will take over the coaching leadership of the Memphis Grizzlies next season.
Finnish coach Tuomas Iisalo will work next season as an assistant coach of the NBA basketball club Memphis Grizzlies. At the same time, he becomes the first Finnish-born NBA coach.
Iisalo, 41, joins as the Grizzlies’ head coach since 2019 by Taylor Jenkins to the team. In 2022 and 2023, Jenkins, 39, led his team to second place in the NBA’s Western Conference in the regular season. At best, the Grizzlies have played in the conference semifinals under Jenkins.
Last season, the Grizzlies fell short of the playoff line with their star player And Morant’s after playing only nine matches.
Memphis only confirmed the matter the night before Monday Finnish time.
Finnish citizen, born in Canada Gordon Herbert has worked in the coaching staff of the Toronto Raptors in the 2008–2009 season.
Finland’s head coach has been seen in the NBA summer league Lassi Tuovi last year in Utah and Petteri Koponen will coach San Antonio this year.
Iisalo started as a main league coach in Tapiola Honga ten years ago. Iisalo moved to Germany in 2016 and coached Crailsheim and Bonn. He led the latter to win the Champions League in 2023.
Last season, he coached Paris Basketball to the Eurocup champion and silver in the French premier league.
Source: The Basketball Association’s announcement