Imagine this: A young man from England, facing constant doubt and skepticism, rises through the ranks to become a head coach in the WNBA. Sounds like a movie, right? But it's the reality for Alex Sarama, the newly appointed head coach of the Portland Fire, a WNBA expansion team. His journey is a testament to perseverance and a fresh perspective on the game of basketball.
From the get-go, Sarama faced an uphill battle. "There was a lot of skepticism," he admits, recalling the reactions to his British accent. "A lot of coaches heard the accent and they’d say straight away this Alex guy can’t coach!" But instead of letting the negativity deter him, Sarama used it as fuel. He embraced the challenge, driven to prove his competence and dedication. "It’s given me a real chip on my shoulder to go the extra mile to make sure I’m meticulous knowing my stuff," he says.
But here's where it gets controversial... It's not every day you see someone from a country not known for basketball make it big in the US, but Sarama has. Growing up, basketball wasn't even his main focus. He played soccer and tennis. However, the lack of basketball culture in the UK ignited his passion. "I think the fact that basketball wasn’t as popular made me even more determined," he explains.
Sarama saw the lack of development in British basketball as an opportunity. "I think because basketball in the UK is less developed, it actually awarded me more unique opportunities to accelerate my coaching career," he says. At 15, he knew he wouldn't be a professional player, but coaching was his path. He started his own club, the Guildford Goldhawks, which became one of the biggest youth teams in the UK, even winning a national championship.
His journey continued through university, where he coached players nearly twice his age, gaining invaluable experience. He then made the leap to the NBA, working in the league's international office before moving to the US, where he worked with the G-league's Rip City Remix and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sarama acknowledges the difference in resources between the UK and the US. "The resources are very different in the UK," he notes. However, he believes Britain has immense potential, calling it a "sleeping giant" in basketball. He emphasizes the need for more coaching education and development to unlock this potential. "I think there’s no reason why England couldn’t be a great basketball country," he states.
Now, as the head coach of the Portland Fire, Sarama is ready to build a franchise from the ground up. He plans to implement unique methods, including involving every coach in player development and documenting every aspect of the organization. He's focused on courage, confidence, and humility, embracing the exciting challenge of an expansion team.
And this is the part most people miss... He's particularly looking forward to the rivalry with the Seattle Storm. Sarama is bringing his global basketball knowledge to the Fire. He is pulling inspiration from leagues worldwide.
What do you think? Do you agree with Sarama's assessment of British basketball's potential? Are there other sports where a 'sleeping giant' might be waiting to be awakened? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
