Tuomas Iisalo named interim coach in Memphis: the incredible leap from Paris to the NBA

Tuomas Iisalo, the architect of Paris Basketball version 2023-2024, didn’t take long to find his footing in the NBA. Having arrived last summer as Taylor Jenkins’ assistant at the Memphis Grizzlies, he was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season this Friday, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. A historic leap for the Finnish technician, propelled to the head of an NBA franchise while only discovering the league this season.

The Memphis Grizzlies are naming assistant Tuomas Iisalo as the interim head coach, sources tell ESPN. Iisalo, a native of Finland, is a former Finnish professional player and coach. He was head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024, winning the EuroCup and EuruCup coach of the year. pic.twitter.com/nKPCdzh7Ms

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 28, 2025

This decision comes in an unexpected context: the Memphis Grizzlies, currently 5th in the Western Conference (44 wins, 29 losses), announced this Friday the departure of their coach Taylor Jenkins, who had been in charge since 2019. A dismissal that caught everyone off guard, including the best-informed insiders of the North American league.

« This decision was difficult to make, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and our overall success under Taylor’s leadership, » commented Zach Kleiman, President of Basketball Operations for the Grizzlies, on the franchise’s official networks.

The @memgrizz today announced they have parted ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins. pic.twitter.com/92PAK2NssN

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 28, 2025

From Paris success to the NBA in less than a year

Arriving in the NBA following a brilliant European season, Tuomas Iisalo had dominated with Paris Basketball, leading the club to a historic EuroCup victory and qualification for next season’s EuroLeague. His fast and structured playing style, based on intense training sessions, impressed Memphis, who integrated him into their staff this summer.

Before Paris, Iisalo had already made his mark in Germany, with Crailsheim and then Bonn. At the helm of Telekom Baskets Bonn, he won the Champions League (BCL) in 2023, while finishing as German league runner-up. Twice named coach of the year in the Bundesliga (2022 and 2023), he was also crowned BCL’s best coach.

His rapid rise didn’t escape NBA executives’ notice. Especially since the Finn had already coached a game last November during Jenkins’ absence. This time, he’s taking the head coaching position for good. A rare appointment for a foreign coach, and almost unprecedented for a European in such context.