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Tuomas Iisalo is officially the next Memphis Grizzlies head coach.
Iisalo served as interim coach after Taylor Jenkins was fired with nine games left in the regular season, and he led the Grizzlies to the playoffs. They were swept by the Thunder in the first round, but Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman evidentially saw enough from Iisalo to remove the interim tag with an announcement on May 2.
A highly successful coach in Europe, Iisalo joined the Grizzlies as lead assistant ahead of the 2024-25 season. He's known for his offensive style that emphasizes speedy point guards and intensity throughout the team, and he earned praise from Grizzlies players at the end of the season.
He'll now have a full offseason to work with the Grizzlies, who will be hoping to make a deeper playoff run after a disappointing season.
“I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward,” Kleiman said in a statement. “Tuomas’ teams at every level have been disciplined, tenacious and connected on both ends of the floor, consistently exceeding expectations. We look forward to the same in Memphis.”
Iisalo is the first Finnish-born NBA coach. He played professionally in Finland before starting his coaching career.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies remove interim tag, name Tuomas Iisalo head coach
Continue reading...
Iisalo served as interim coach after Taylor Jenkins was fired with nine games left in the regular season, and he led the Grizzlies to the playoffs. They were swept by the Thunder in the first round, but Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman evidentially saw enough from Iisalo to remove the interim tag with an announcement on May 2.
A highly successful coach in Europe, Iisalo joined the Grizzlies as lead assistant ahead of the 2024-25 season. He's known for his offensive style that emphasizes speedy point guards and intensity throughout the team, and he earned praise from Grizzlies players at the end of the season.
He'll now have a full offseason to work with the Grizzlies, who will be hoping to make a deeper playoff run after a disappointing season.
“I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward,” Kleiman said in a statement. “Tuomas’ teams at every level have been disciplined, tenacious and connected on both ends of the floor, consistently exceeding expectations. We look forward to the same in Memphis.”
Iisalo is the first Finnish-born NBA coach. He played professionally in Finland before starting his coaching career.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies remove interim tag, name Tuomas Iisalo head coach
Continue reading...
