Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo to lead 2025 NBA Summer League team
In his first time addressing the media since being named head coach on May 2, Iisalo spoke about the "diligent" process of curating his coaching staff. Although it is not standard for the head coach to be heavily involved during summer league, he emphasized that it can be useful in ensuring the staff is aligned.
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"We want to have a staff that sees basketball in the same way, and this is also a reason why I will be coaching summer league, too," Iisalo said. "We can use it as a test run or ramp up for the coaching staff and also to invest in these young guys."
In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies acquired Washington state Cedric Coward at No. 11 in the first-round through a June 25 trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. They selected West Virginia guard Javon Small at No. 48, and acquired Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack with the last pick in the draft through a trade with the Golden State Warriors, which originally was owned by the Houston Rockets.
Coward is TBD to participate in Summer League due to his shoulder innjury from last season, whereas Small is ready to play. Mashack's status will be known available when the trade is finalized.
Summer League begins on July 11, and the Grizzlies will open up the season against the Boston Celtics.
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More: Memphis Grizzlies draft grades for Cedric Coward, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo to lead 2025 NBA Summer League team
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