Grizzlies keeping Iisalo as head coach
The Memphis Grizzlies are promoting Tuomas Iisalo to permanent head coach, the team announced Friday.
Iisalo had served in the role on an interim basis since the Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins in late March.
"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," Grizzlies president and general manager of basketball operations Zach Kleiman said in a statement.
Iisalo took the team to the playoffs as the 8-seed after stepping in as head coach this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Grizzlies in the first round. Memphis originally hired him as the team's lead assistant in July 2024.
The 42-year-old spent a decade coaching in Europe after playing professional basketball in Finland for 14 years.
Iisalo guided Paris Basketball to the LNB Pro A Finals, EuroCup championship, and the French Leaders Cup in 2024 before departing for Memphis. He was named EuroCup Coach of the Year and LNB Pro A Coach of the Year for his efforts.
He is also a two-time Bundesliga Coach of the Year (2022, 2023) and was named Champions League Coach of the Year in 2023.
Iisalo is the first Finnish-born coach in NBA history.