Tuomas Iisalo Biography: Tuomas Iisalo (born July 29, 1982 is a Finnish professional basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the interim head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. Prior to this, he was an assistant coach for the Grizzlies under Taylor Jenkins. At 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in), Iisalo played as a shooting guard during his playing career and also represented the Finland national team. In 2024, Iisalo was named Coach of the Year in Finland by Finnish sports journalists.
Tuomas Iisalo Biography
For years, Joonas Iisalo worked closely with his brother Tuomas, beginning at the Crailsheim Merlins and continuing at Telekom Baskets Bonn. But in 2022, Joonas stepped into the spotlight himself, taking over as head coach of MLP Academics Heidelberg in Germany’s top-tier league. His impact was clear—Heidelberg extended his contract through 2026, signaling strong confidence in his leadership. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
Tuomas Iisalo is a Finnish professional basketball coach and former player who is the interim head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. He previously served as an assistant coach of the Grizzlies under Taylor Jenkins. Standing at 1.95 m, Iisalo played as a shooting guard during his playing career.
Tuomas Iisalo Wiki
Born: 29 July 1982 (age 42 years), Helsinki, Finland
Teams coached: Memphis Grizzlies (Assistant Coach, since 2024) ·
Height: 95 m
League: NBA
Playing career: 2000–2014
Who are Tuomas Iisalo’s parents?
While detailed information about Tuomas Iisalo’s parents remains limited, it is known that his father worked as a foreign correspondent in East Berlin during the 1980s. His experiences abroad had a notable influence on the family, even inspiring Meri Iisalo’s award-winning novel. The international exposure from an early age seems to have shaped the Iisalo siblings into accomplished individuals across different fields. Information about their mother, however, is even more private, with no public details currently available. Despite the mystery, it’s clear the Iisalo upbringing fostered remarkable talent in journalism, literature, and sports.
Tuomas Iisalo Gaming Performance
“Joonas is an excellent basketball professional who aligns with our vision and goals,” said Matthias Lautenschläger, Managing Partner at MLP Academics. “Continuity in this key role is crucial to our long-term success.” Growing up, basketball was at the heart of the Iisalo household. “My brother and I spent every day working on our jump shots,” Joonas once shared. “We’d study Reggie Miller and Allan Houston on VHS tapes—frame by frame—and then try to mimic their form in the backyard.” That dedication clearly paid off.
Is Tuomas Iisalo married? Does he have children?
Yes, Tuomas Iisalo is married and a proud father of three children, according to Wikipedia. He prefers to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, which is understandable given his role in the NBA. Now that he’s serving as interim head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, that spotlight is only growing brighter. Still, from basketball courts to literary accolades and journalism, the Iisalo family continues to stand out as a dynamic and talented group making their mark in a variety of arenas.
Personal Life
Tuomas Iisalo is married and has three children. His father worked as a foreign correspondent in East Berlin during the 1980s, an experience that had a lasting impact on the family.
Tuomas’s younger brother, Joonas, is also a professional basketball coach, while their older sister, Meri Valkama, is a journalist. Meri won the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize in 2021 for the best debut novel in Finland with her book “Sinun, Margot”, which tells the story of a family in East Berlin. Their grandfather, Aulis Iisalo, fought in both the Winter War and the Continuation War and was a candidate for the prestigious Mannerheim Cross.
Tuomas Iisalo Net Worth 2025
It is difficult to determine Tuomas Iisalo’s exact net worth for 2025 as it is not publicly available. However, given his role as a coach with the Memphis Grizzlies, it is reasonable to assume he has a comfortable income and therefore a substantial net worth. While specific figures are not available, his net worth is likely in the millions.
FAQs
What is Tuomas Iisalo’s family background?
Tuomas Iisalo comes from a family with diverse talents. His father worked as a foreign correspondent in East Berlin during the 1980s, and his younger brother Joonas is also a professional basketball coach. His older sister, Meri Valkama, is a journalist and the winner of the Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize for her debut novel.
How many children does Tuomas Iisalo have?
Tuomas Iisalo is married and has three children, although he keeps his personal life private.
What notable accomplishments has Tuomas Iisalo’s sister achieved?
Tuomas Iisalo’s sister, Meri Valkama, is a journalist who won the 2021 Helsingin Sanomat Literature Prize for the best debut novel in Finland. Her book “Sinun, Margot” explores the story of a family in East Berlin.
What is the connection between Tuomas Iisalo’s family and the Winter War?
Tuomas Iisalo’s grandfather, Aulis Iisalo, was a soldier in both the Winter War and the Continuation War. He was also a candidate for the prestigious Mannerheim Cross, which is awarded for exceptional bravery in Finnish military history.
Where did Tuomas Iisalo’s father work in the 1980s?
Tuomas Iisalo’s father worked as a foreign correspondent in East Berlin during the 1980s, which influenced the family’s international perspective.
What is the significance of Tuomas Iisalo’s brother, Joonas?
Joonas Iisalo, Tuomas’s younger brother, is a professional basketball coach who currently serves as the head coach of MLP Academics Heidelberg in Germany’s top league, and his leadership has been highly praised.
