The Cleveland Charge have reportedly hired Eli Kell-Abrams as the team’s next head coach, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Kell-Abrams has spent the last two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers as a Video Coordinator, but now gets the chance to coach a G League squad.
Former Charge head coach Chris Darnell left the position in May to join Doug Christie’s staff in Sacramento with the Kings. In his lone season as the head coach of the Charge, Darnell led the team to a 23-27 combined record in the Tip-Off Tournament and the regular season.
Kell-Abrams was named the lead assistant for Portland’s G League team, the Remix, in June of this year. Now, just a few weeks later, he heads to Cleveland.
Prior to joining the Blazers, Kell-Abrams was head video coordinator with the Philadelphia 76ers from 2021-23. He also spent three seasons with the Miami Heat as an assistant video coordinator (2019-21) and video intern (2018-19).
The Charge are coming off a disappointing season, given the dearth of NBA-caliber talent they figured to have on the roster. This upcoming campaign will look different, with high-profile Emoni Bates no longer on the roster after having his qualifying offer declined. Luke Travers, who did sign another two-way deal with Cleveland, will get plenty of time in the G League. Nae’Qwan Tomlin, who had a strong Summer League in Las Vegas last month, will also be featured on the Charge.
With a new voice in Kell-Abrams, plus a revamped roster, the Charge are hoping to improve over last year’s uneven season.