The Memphis Grizzlies are hiring interim Tuomas Iisalo to be the team's next head coach, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Iisalo took over for Taylor Jenkins after he was fired with nine games left in the regular season. The former helped Memphis return to the playoffs through the play-in tournament before being swept by Oklahoma City in the first round.
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Iisalo is a native of Finland and has extensive European coaching experience. He was head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024 when it won the EuroCup and French League Cup, earning him EuroCup Coach of the Year honors. He is the first head coach from Finland in NBA history.
Here's what to know about Tuomas Iisalo.
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Who is Tuomas Iisalo?
The Grizzlies are promoting Iisalo to the head coaching position after he took over as interim late in this season. Memphis went 4-5 to close the season with Iisalo leading the team.
The Memphis Grizzlies are hiring interim Tuomas Iisalo as the franchise's next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Iisalo replaced Taylor Jenkins as interim in late March and is now the first Finnish-born head coach in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/4xdAImXix3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2025
Iisalo came to the NBA this year to serve as an assistant coach under Jenkins. He was the first Finnish assistant coach in NBA history and will now be the first ever head coach from the country.
Where is Tuomas Iisalo from?
Iisalo is from Finland, where he had a 14-year professional career as a player in Korisliiga.
Iisalo started his career in 2000 with Kouvot and won the Finnish Cup with the club in 2009. He also played for the clubs Espoon Honka and Torpan Pojat. Iisalo also competed with the Finland senior national team.
Did Tuomas Iisalo play in the NBA?
Iisalo did not play in the NBA and only began coaching in the league this season. He was hired for Jenkins' staff in July and had been responsible primarily for the Grizzlies' offense. He served as the head coach for one game on November 7, when Jenkins was absent, and led the Grizzlies to a 131–114 win over the Lakers.