The Portland Fire have named Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Alex Sarama as their inaugural head coach, days after a deleted LinkedIn post appeared to reveal the hire of the Cavs assistant ahead of schedule. The announcement marks another NBA-to-WNBA crossover as the Fire prepare for their 2026 debut.

Sarama, a fast-rising coach known for his innovative training philosophies, joins the expansion franchise after a successful stint in Cleveland under head coach Kenny Atkinson. His work with the Cavs’ player development program helped drive a 64-18 record last season and earned him recognition as one of basketball’s leading voices in modern player development.

Before his time in Cleveland, Sarama spent a season in Portland with the G League’s Rip City Remix, serving as director of player development during their inaugural campaign. He also worked alongside Fire general manager Vanja Černivec with the London Lions in the British Basketball League, where the pair implemented progressive training systems across both men’s and women’s programs.

Černivec praised Sarama’s forward-thinking approach, calling him “the next generation of coaching.” She said his philosophy fits perfectly with the Fire’s vision to make Portland a global hub for innovation in women’s sports.

Former Cavs assistant Alex Sarama has the credentials to lead the Fire

Alex Sarama has had roles in coaching and player development both overseas and in the NBA with the Portland market after a season as an assistant coach for the NBA G League team, the Rip City Remix. He left Portland to become the director of player development for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was recently promoted to assistant coach.

Alex Sarama via Instagram

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A native of the United Kingdom, Sarama is best known for his use of the Constraints-Led Approach, a methodology that emphasizes adaptability, creativity, and real-time decision-making rather than rigid, repetitive drills. The technique has gained traction among elite athletes, including Kelsey Plum and Victor Wembanyama, as well as among NBA and WNBA coaches seeking to modernize their practice structures.

The Fire’s hiring of Sarama continues a recent trend of WNBA teams turning to NBA assistants for leadership. Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and Golden State Valkyries’ Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase both made similar transitions with immediate success.

The Fire’s front office also recently added former WNBA player Ashley Battle as vice president of basketball operations, strategy, and innovation. Together with Černivec and Sarama, she will oversee preparations for the Fire’s first season and the upcoming expansion draft once the league finalizes a new collective bargaining agreement.