{"id":257266,"date":"2025-10-28T20:30:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T20:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/257266\/"},"modified":"2025-10-28T20:30:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T20:30:12","slug":"meet-the-coach-who-plans-to-revolutionize-womens-basketball-with-portlands-new-wnba-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/257266\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the coach who plans to revolutionize women’s basketball with Portland’s new WNBA team"},"content":{"rendered":"

While they made sure to not give away too much information about what was in store for the city\u2019s new WNBA<\/a> franchise, the Portland Fire formally introduced new head coach Alex Sarama<\/a> on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n

Accompanied by General Manager Vanja \u010cernivec, Sarama addressed the city and took questions from the media at the Multnomah Athletic Club in southwest Portland. <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to start by saying what an honor to be the first head coach in this new era of Portland Fire history,\u201d Sarama said. \u201cAnd before I start by thanking everyone who made this possible, I want to express just how excited I am to be here. From the first conversations I had with Vanja, it was apparent just how incredible this opportunity is. And that\u2019s because I truly believe we will be creating something unique, not just within the context of the WNBA, but the professional sports landscape as a whole.\u201d <\/p>\n

Sarama, a 30-year-old who is in his first head coaching job at the professional level, said he had lofty goals for the Portland Fire. This includes working towards a WNBA Championship and creating a workplace culture that is both fun and collaborative.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want this to be one of the best places to work in professional sports,\u201d Sarama said. \u201cSo this environment of joy is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarama also reiterated his \u201cevidence-based\u201d approach to the game of basketball. Over the past few years, Sarama has become known for his approach to player development in basketball circles<\/a>. It\u2019s something that got him into working with the NBA internationally, and also got him jobs with Paris Basketball, the London Lions, the Rip City Remix<\/a> and also as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers. <\/p>\n

\u201cI first discovered a completely different way of coaching eight years ago and I remember being blown away because in one week I changed my complete perception of the game and how I coach and this approach, the constraints-led approach (CLA),\u201d Sarama said. \u201dIt\u2019s so exciting because not only are we going to be applying this on the court, but in every single department. So Vanja alluded to that in the weight room. How we incorporate analytics, how we use film in the theater and the ability to have everyone on the exact same page is so exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

He indicated that he wants the Fire to be at the forefront of where basketball is moving as a sport and not confined to what is working right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to prepare the team for where basketball is going and the future of how I think the game is going to be played,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that means incorporating trends which are emerging in global basketball, whether it\u2019s the men\u2019s and women\u2019s EuroLeague, B1 in Japan, NBL in Australia, or the WNBA and the NBA. I want to really embrace all these unique ideas and create a style of play that is unique to the Fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarama and \u010cernivec both talked about how the new approach could have the team looking different than other franchises in the WNBA. <\/p>\n

\u010cernivec said the team will be incorporating analytics into every aspect of operations. <\/p>\n

Staff members may have new roles that other WNBA teams don\u2019t. While they didn\u2019t want to give specifics on that plan, Sarama said an example could be a strength coach who doesn\u2019t only work in the weight room or run the team through warm ups and then disappears for the rest of practice. The Fire is looking for people who can be involved in multiple areas at once. <\/p>\n

\u201cI can say that the lines will be blurred,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Sarama and \u010cernivec will be able to construct the staff in the coming months, but what the team will truly look like includes many question marks. <\/p>\n

The WNBA is in a bit of limbo until the league and the player\u2019s association<\/a> come to a new collective bargaining agreement. The current CBA is set to expire on Friday. <\/p>\n

Until the CBA is set, the WNBA can\u2019t set dates for the expansion draft and the free agency period \u2014 all things the Portland Fire are going to need to construct a team. <\/p>\n

But in the meantime, team leadership has an idea for what type of players they are eyeing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely good human beings, good teammates,\u201d \u010cernivec said. \u201cAny organization I touch, that\u2019s always a part of my recruitment on the coaching staff and on the players. And then we\u2019re going to look for versatile players that could move between the positions. Very high basketball IQ. Probably players that will able to shoot, stretch the floor and just like hardworking players that will want to be coached hard, want to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarama remains committed to player development, saying that he will be looking for players who will be able to make the most of the team\u2019s environment and will remain open-minded to his approach to basketball. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to create the best player development environment in the W,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

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