The Cleveland Cavaliers today announced that Alex Jensen has been named the first-ever head coach of their new NBA Development League franchise in Canton. 

"Alex is a great fit for our team and organization and what we want to develop and accomplish in Canton. He has a very successful and diverse background that is rooted in strong defensive principles and learned from one of the best coaches and basketball teachers in college basketball in Rick Majerus,” said Wilcox. “Alex is also a strong communicator, has natural coaching instincts and understands the importance of building a team with a strong defensive foundation.  We are very excited for him to get started.”      

Jensen, 35, brings a wide range of experience and success to Canton. He earned such on-court honors as being named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year (2000) at Utah and the All-FIBA Europe Cup Defender of the Year (2004) while playing in Turkey. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach at Saint Louis University under his former collegiate coach, Majerus. During his time with the Billikens, Jensen helped lead St. Louis to their first postseason appearance since 2004 in 2009-10 with a 23-win season, and last season, he aided in Saint Louis allowing only 62.4 points per game. 

“I would like to thank Saint Louis and especially Coach Rick Majerus, who has taught me so much, first as a player and later as a coach on his staff. He is one of the best in basketball and I will always be very grateful for the many, many things I have learned from him," said Jensen. “This is a rare and unique opportunity to be part of a great organization. I’m honored to be selected as the first coach in Canton franchise history and excited to get to work."