From Badalona to Brooklyn: The Rise of Nets HC Jordi Fernández

Jordi Fernández’s journey to becoming head coach of the Brooklyn Nets started far away from New York.

Before he stepped into the position of leading an NBA franchise, Fernández grew up in a city deeply connected to basketball culture. Years later, he now represents a new direction for the Nets and the NBA’s growing global influence at the center of Brooklyn’s rebuild.

Badalona, Spain, is known for its historic professional club, Club Joventut Badalona, as well as its prominence as an international tournament host. In the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, Badalona’s local venue was used to host the basketball games. Fernández’s approach to the game was shaped by his hometown’s influence.

His coaching philosophy was built around strategy, teamwork and fundamentals, all things European basketball emphasizes. Unlike many NBA coaches, Fernández did not enter the league with the reputation of a former star player. Instead, he made a name for himself through coaching and experience. 

After years in player development roles for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Fernández moved into an assistant coaching role in the G-League for the Canton Charge. In just one season, he was promoted to Head Coach and led the team to a 62-38 regular season record over two seasons and back-to-back appearances in the NBA G League Eastern Conference Finals.

Next, he helped the Denver Nuggets reach four consecutive NBA Playoffs from 2019-2022 as Assistant Coach before joining the Sacramento Kings coaching staff. In 2023, Fernández was a crucial part of the Kings reaching the NBA Playoffs, making it the first time in 17 seasons. 

His international profile as a coach continued to grow in 2023, leading Canada to a bronze medal in the FIBA World Cup and one year later, taking fifth at the 2024 Summer Olympics. There is no denying Fernández has what it takes to coach and win on the NBA level. 

Besides playoff experience, he is also known for the way he connects and develops his players. Fernández has adopted a “tough love” coaching style, which his five rookies experienced for the first time this last season. In 2025, rookie Drake Powell was benched during a close loss to the Dallas Mavericks and when asked about his reasoning, Fernández said to NetsDaily:

“These young guys need to understand how important every minute you play is. If the intentions are there, I’m completely fine. But if the mistakes are from easing into the game, that’s not how we do it here.”

When he was hired by the Nets in 2024, Fernández became the first Spanish-born head coach in NBA history. The franchise was looking for a steadier, more long-term culture rather than the chaotic previous seasons. The results have not always shown in the standings, but there have been signs of progress. 

The 2025-2026 season saw Brooklyn holding the youngest roster in the NBA, not to mention over 6,000 total minutes of playing time for them throughout the year.  In December, the team was ranked in the top ten for the NBA’s defensive rating and Fernández hopes to maintain that level of play moving forward.

“The important thing is not to skip any steps, to see what we can build this summer, the changes we can make, and from here on out, the demands will come,” Fernández said on the current rebuilding phase. 

From Badalona to Brooklyn, Jordi Fernández’s rise reflects determination, adaptability and the increasingly global future of the NBA. His coaching journey continues to evolve alongside the Nets’ rebuild. 

Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. 

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!