Coachella Valley Lakers name Alex Cerda as head coach

Thousand Palms, Calif. (KESQ)—The Coachella Valley Lakers announced Friday Alex Cerda was named the first head coach for the National Basketball League G-League team.

CV Lakers General Manager Nick Mazzella commented on Cerda's leadership, saying in part, ``His ability to connect with players, his understanding of our development philosophy and his experience across the NBA and G-League make him a natural fit for this role.

Cerda succeeds Zach Gurthrie as the 12th head coach in the franchise's history. He enters the fourth season with the team after serving as an assistant coach for the past three years. He previously served as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Texas Legends from 2021-23 and in the video department for the Los Angeles Clippers. He started his coaching career as head video coordinator and player development coach with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2016.

The team's opening season game will be against the Salt Lake City Stars at Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Road, in Palm Desert on Nov. 6. "I am incredibly grateful and honored for the opportunity to lead the Coachella Valley Lakers,'' Cerda said.

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