Alex Sarama: WNBA Portland Fire Coach

Published: 24 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Alex Sarama’s rise to becoming the head coach of the WNBA’s Portland Fire is nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in England, the 30-year-old faced skepticism from the start, as many doubted a British coach could thrive in a league dominated by American basketball culture. “There was a lot of skepticism,” Sarama told the Guardian. “A lot of coaches heard the accent and they’d say straight away this Alex guy can’t coach!” Yet, instead of deterring him, the doubt fueled his determination to excel in coaching.

Sarama recalls his teenage years with a mix of humor and reflection. While most of his friends pursued soccer or tennis, basketball captivated him. The sport’s relative obscurity in the UK gave him unique opportunities to learn and lead. “I think because basketball in the UK is less developed, it actually awarded me more unique opportunities to accelerate my coaching career,” he says. His early realization that he would not become a professional player redirected his ambition toward coaching, shaping his journey in a way that would later set him apart on an international stage.

At 15, Sarama founded his own basketball club, the Guildford Goldhawks, which grew into one of the UK’s more prominent youth teams. Achieving success early, he led the under-14 girls’ team to a national championship. “That was my first experience coaching girls basketball,” he recalls. This formative experience instilled in him the importance of skill development and meticulous planning, principles that he would carry into professional coaching.

During his early twenties, Sarama balanced university studies at Nottingham with coaching roles that required leading players much older than himself. “If I was in a bigger basketball market like Serbia, Spain, or Lithuania, I would never have had those chances to coach,” he explains. His willingness to embrace responsibility early on gave him a significant edge in developing leadership and strategic skills.

Sarama’s transition to the American basketball system began with work in the NBA’s international office, spanning London, Madrid, and Antwerp. His exposure to high-level basketball operations provided invaluable insights into player development, team management, and organizational culture. Moving to the U.S., he joined the G-league’s Rip City Remix before eventually working with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Reflecting on the differences between the UK and U.S., Sarama observes, “The resources are very different. The universities – it’s not professionalized like it is in the US. For a lot of universities, it’s more for participation, rather than elite performance.”

Despite the challenges, Sarama remains optimistic about the future of British basketball. He describes England as a “sleeping giant” in the sport, highlighting the potential of both players and coaches. “I think there’s no reason why England couldn’t be a great basketball country,” he says, emphasizing the need for intentional coaching education and structured development pathways to elevate the game nationally.

As the new head coach of the Portland Fire, Sarama faces the immense challenge of building an expansion team in a highly competitive league. Author of the book Transforming Basketball, he is committed to implementing a rigorous and detailed approach to player development. “We’re going to have every coach doing player development, with a shared methodology and framework for principles of play and individual development plans,” he explains. His strategy integrates every facet of the organization, from strength and conditioning to tactical execution, ensuring a consistent and holistic approach.

Sarama’s philosophy centers on courage, confidence, and humility. He recognizes the uniqueness of this moment in WNBA history and the rare opportunity presented by leading a new franchise. “I feel very privileged to be coming in during this moment in time,” he says. “Just the chance with an expansion team – this is so unique. I could coach the rest of my life and never have this situation.”

In addition to coaching fundamentals, Sarama is focused on establishing clear operational procedures across the organization. From cultural development to offensive strategies, every process will be documented, including film sessions, feedback methods, and timeout protocols. This meticulous attention to detail, he believes, will create a strong foundation for long-term success.

One rivalry Sarama eagerly anticipates is with the Seattle Storm, a storied franchise in the WNBA with four championships. “It’s the game I’m most looking forward to. That will be a very hyped game, which I’m eagerly looking forward to,” he says. Drawing on his global basketball experience, Sarama aims to bring innovative strategies and best practices from leagues worldwide to Portland.

Alex Sarama’s journey from a determined teenager in England to head coach of a WNBA franchise underscores the power of ambition, resilience, and vision. He has turned early doubt into motivation, leveraged unique opportunities in an underdeveloped basketball market, and embraced every challenge along the way. With his methodical approach, Sarama is not only poised to shape the Portland Fire’s future but also to inspire a new generation of British basketball talent. His story demonstrates that with tenacity, careful planning, and a deep understanding of the game, boundaries in professional sports can be redefined.