Grizzlies tab Tuomas Iisalo as head coach
"I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward," general manager Zach Kleiman said in a statement. "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."
The Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on March 28 despite the club's 44-29 record at the time and named Iisalo interim head coach.
Under Iisalo, the Grizzlies went 4-5, finishing 48-34 in the regular season and making the playoffs via the play-in tournament before being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
Iisalo, 42, joined the Grizzlies as an assistant under Jenkins ahead of this past season. He was coming off a stint as the head coach of Paris Basketball in 2024, when he was named EuroCup Coach of the Year in his native Finland.
The hire makes him the first NBA coach born in Finland.
Iisalo, who had a 14-year professional playing career in Finland, has big shoes to fill. Jenkins, 40, is the winningest coach in Grizzlies' franchise history with a 250-214 record with three playoff appearances since being hired in June 2019.
--Field Level Media
Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
6 hours ago
- Business Insider
BTCC Exchange Announces First Sports Sponsorship with NBA's Jaren Jackson Jr.
BTCC, one of the world's longest-serving crypto exchanges, welcomed 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and 2x NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. as its global brand ambassador. As a phenomenal shot blocker and leader on the court for the Memphis Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. is set to partner with BTCC and the world of crypto. With BTCC's first-ever sports sponsorship, the partnership marks a significant step in BTCC's efforts to bring cryptocurrency closer to mainstream audiences and leverage the influence of world-renowned athletes to expand its global user base. The collaboration will focus on bridging the gap between professional sports and cryptocurrency through various marketing initiatives and fan engagement opportunities. Beyond the basketball court, Jackson Jr.'s love for music and fashion further infuses his lifestyle and cultural relevance of elite sporting excellence and next-generation finance. Through the integration of a highly secured platform, Jackson Jr. and his fans are able to focus on what matters most – the action on the court and their passionate hobbies off it. Jackson Jr.'s fans can look forward to learning more about the player through engaging content while also having the chance for greater fan engagement with Jackson Jr. through BTCC. The partnership throws the spotlight on BTCC's key features such as futures trading and copy trading. 'I'm very excited to join the BTCC family. They're not just another crypto brand—they've been in it for over a decade, and that kind of consistency means something to me. I've always believed in doing the work, staying disciplined, and thinking long-term, whether that's in basketball or building your future. Partnering with a platform that shares that mindset is a natural step for me and I look forward to this journey,' said Jackson Jr. of the partnership. In an industry where trust, discipline, and long-term vision matter, Jackson represents exactly the kind of leader BTCC wants to build with. The 7'0' shot-blocking phenom—known for his defensive prowess in locking down opponents and leading with poise—now turns his focus to helping BTCC break down barriers between sports and crypto. 'Jaren brings authenticity, consistency, and a championship mindset—values that mirror what we've built at BTCC over the past 14 years,' said Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC. 'We're not here for hype—we're here for substance and Jaren's personality and traits embodies all that as a sporting, cultural and lifestyle icon. We welcome Jackson to the BTCC family and are excited for what is to come!' BTCC will launch a trading competition in collaboration with Jackson Jr., offering signed merchandise and a prize pool for participants. For more information, users can visit here and stay tuned for more information on BTCC's official website and X account. About Jaren Jackson Jr. Jaren Jackson Jr. is a professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. A three-time All-Defensive team pick, two-time All-Star, and the 2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year—Jackson has averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 407 career games with Memphis. Jackson's defensive skills, combined with his offensive versatility, make him one of the most valuable players on the court. Beyond his basketball career, Jaren Jackson Jr. is known for his intellectual pursuits and business interests. He is considered one of the most business-savvy young athletes in the NBA. As a rising NBA star with a strong presence on and off the court, he represents the next generation of athletes who are not only competitors but also brand-builders and innovators. About BTCC Founded in 2011, BTCC has established itself as a trusted and reputable exchange due to its unwavering commitment to security and transparency. Operating globally, BTCC places great emphasis on compliance with regulations, holding regulatory licenses in the USA, Canada, and Europe. With over 9.1 million users worldwide, BTCC provides market-leading liquidity and exceptional security, boasting a flawless safety record for 14 years and counting. With a mission of providing a trading platform that is fair and reliable in every sense, BTCC offers diverse services, providing spot, futures (with up to 500x leverage), and copy trading. Besides, BTCC boasts a free demo trading feature, making it an excellent choice for beginners seeking a reliable practice environment. The platform's longevity and reliability have made it increasingly popular among both novice and experienced traders.
NBC News
9 hours ago
- NBC News
Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies are embarking on a new journey
NBA The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year is taking on new leadership — and a new jersey number — in 2025. Aug. 13, 2025, 6:05 AM EDT By Rohan Nadkarni When Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. takes the floor this NBA season, he will be ditching the No. 13 he wore for the first seven years of his career, opting instead for No. 8. While it may be a new look for Grizzlies fans, Jackson won't even be the first person with his name to play an NBA game with the No. 8 on his back. That honor belongs to his father, Jaren Jackson Sr., who wore the number with the Los Angeles Clippers during the 1992-93 season. 'It's super personal to me. It's super personal to my family,' Jackson Jr. told NBC News about the switch. 'I'm connected with 8 in a real way. It reaches into the territory of new beginnings. It's infinite. It's just a good place to draw energy from.' Jackson was riding an exercise bike — where he says he gets his best ideas — when he thought of changing his number. He made the announcement Friday shortly ahead of his eighth season, and he wants the new digit to represent what he calls a 'fresh start' for both himself and Memphis. 'Fresh start' is one way to describe the Grizzlies after a momentous offseason. 'Hard pivot' is another. In June, Memphis traded shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in exchange for guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, as well as four future first-round picks. The trade signaled the end of an era for the Grizzlies, as Bane, Jackson and point guard Ja Morant had formed a trio that was seen as the foundation for one of the up-and-coming contenders in the league. Amid the retooling, Memphis emphasized its commitment to Jackson as part of its core, signing him to a five-year, $240 million extension in July. (Though it should be noted that Bane was traded after only one season into his own five-year deal.) 'I wasn't too much surprised,' Jackson said of Bane's departure. 'I mean, when your brothers leave, you are still going to hurt, just because you're a human being. But at the end of the day, it's a business. And we're grown.' Jackson added that his mindset after the trade was to take on a bigger leadership role and make sure the younger players on the team weren't surprised by the volatility of an NBA offseason. 'You're going to get closer to your prime, and things are going to change for you,' he said. 'I feel like this is a good starting point for a whole new journey of stuff. I'm approaching this year with that spearheaded, disciplined mindset of trying to get us to the promised land.' The Grizzlies will certainly need Jackson to take a bigger role on and off the floor to return to the ascendant path they were on at the beginning of the decade. In 2021, Memphis beat Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament to make the playoffs as a surprise eighth seed. The next year, the Grizzlies pushed the Warriors to six games in the second round — but Morant missed the end of the series because of injury. Then, after an injury-marred first-round loss in 2023, Memphis missed the playoffs entirely in 2024 — the season Morant was suspended for 25 games after he flashed a gun on social media. The Grizzlies were swept in the first round this year by the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder — a young team that walked the path Memphis once seemed to be on itself. 'I don't think a goal would be to get back anywhere,' Jackson said when he was asked how the Grizzlies can return to their previous track of success. 'It's just to put one foot in front of the other and get better every day, because that's what we did before, to get to whatever you're talking about.' Jackson has identified areas of his game he wants to improve ahead of next season. Though he is rehabbing from surgery to repair a turf toe injury on his right foot, Jackson trying to better his playmaking this summer, hoping to become a better facilitator as he anticipates more double teams in his future. He also wants to work on his endurance, so he can carry a bigger load offensively without sacrificing his defense. While Jackson welcomes the pressure of his new situation, he ignores whatever outside noise comes with being a franchise pillar. (ESPN's Kendrick Perkins labeled him the 'most overhyped' player in the league.) Ultimately, Jackson believes, he's in the right place to lead a new version of this Memphis team. 'Whoever's in the locker room is in your foxhole, and that's where you're going to war with,' he said. 'What are your habits? What are your techniques? Are you willing to share? Are you willing to talk? Who are the leaders? It's simple, but it's not easy.' Rohan Nadkarni Rohan Nadkarni is a sports reporter for NBC News.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
NBA sets schedule for 2025-26 games in Europe, unveils plans for 2027, 2028
The NBA on Wednesday announced its regular-season European schedule for the 2025-26 season and unveiled plans to play regular-season season games in Paris, Berlin and Manchester in 2027 and 2028. The Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic will play two games in Europe this season – in Berlin on Jan. 15, and in London on Jan. 18. "Announcing the next three season's regular-season games in Europe reflects the incredible momentum and appetite for NBA basketball in France, Germany, the UK and across the region," NBA managing director of Europe and Middle East George Aivazoglou said in a news release. "We look forward to welcoming the Grizzlies and the Magic to Berlin and London and to engaging fans, players and the local communities through the games and the surrounding events." The Magic's Franz and Mo Wagner are from Germany, and the Berlin game will the NBA's first regular-season game in the country. "To have the Orlando Magic and the NBA play a regular-season game in our hometown of Berlin means everything to us," the Wagner brothers said in a joint statement. "Growing up here, we dreamed of moments like this. It's a huge honor to represent Berlin and Germany and show how much the city and country love basketball. We hope we can inspire kids the way we were inspired watching games from afar." The NBA's push into the European market has been steady and unsurprising. As the league considers expansion of its North American-based league, it is also exploring the creation a new league based in Europe – with the idea of adding already existing franchises and creating franchises in underserved markets. "Just as the same as in American cities, we think there's an opportunity to serve fans in Europe," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said at the NBA Finals. "No knock on European basketball, because most of those international MVPs I just talked about are coming from Europe. There's really high-level basketball being played there. But we think there is an opportunity to better serve fans there. I view that as a form of expansion as well, and that's something we're also thinking hard about." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA announces 2025-26 European games, unveils plan for 2027, 2028
