Reuniting in Memphis After European Success

The hire brings together two figures who share an extensive history in European basketball. Thomas previously worked under Iisalo as an assistant coach at Telekom Baskets Bonn in Germany and later followed him to Paris Basketball. During their tenure together, the duo helped guide Paris to a 22-1 record in the EuroCup and a sweep of JL Bourg in the April 2024 finals, securing the club’s promotion to the EuroLeague.

When Iisalo left France that summer to join the Grizzlies as an assistant under then-head coach Taylor Jenkins, Thomas remained in Paris. He spent the 24-25 season working alongside Tiago Splitter and Francesco Tabellini, helping the club capture the French league title.

Historic Stint as EuroLeague’s Youngest Head Coach

Paris Basketball parted ways with Francesco Tabellini on March 23, 2026, elevating Thomas to interim head coach for the remainder of the campaign. At 28 years old, Thomas took the reins of a squad sitting 12-21 in the EuroLeague standings and 16-7 in domestic play, earning distinction from the league as the youngest active head coach in the competition.

Historical records note that Thomas became the second-youngest head coach in EuroLeague history upon making his debut, trailing only Gašper Potočnik, who coached Union Olimpija at 27 years, 11 months, and 19 days old in December 2008. Under Thomas’s leadership, Paris advanced to the French league finals before his departure from the club in June.

Integrating Into the Grizzlies Framework

Addressing reporters at FedExForum ahead of training camp at Belmont University in Nashville, Iisalo emphasized Thomas’s deep familiarity with his tactical system as an immediate asset for the franchise.

“We have added one assistant coach to the staff, which is Julius Thomas, who worked as an assistant for me first in Bonn in Germany and then in Paris and was the interim head coach last year in EuroLeague, the second-youngest head coach in EuroLeague history, and he will work mostly on the offensive side as kind of my right-hand man with that,” Iisalo said.

Iisalo acknowledged that the primary hurdle for the young coach will mirror his own transition to North America: adjusting to the unique NBA schedule, operational constraints, and cultural adjustments. However, the head coach expressed confidence in building a cohesive unit, echoing a philosophy focused on team construction over talent accumulation.

The Memphis coaching staff enters the new campaign with a unified approach following a recent coaches retreat. The Grizzlies will begin their preseason schedule on October 5 against the Atlanta Hawks.