By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Completing the search for the next head coach, the Toronto Raptors decided to hand the reins to Darko Rajakovic.
Rajakovic, 44, is finalizing a deal to become the boss of the Raptors, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Barring an unexpected setback, he will emerge as the second European head coach in the NBA, both natives of Serbia. Igor Kokoskov broke the barrier by guiding the Phoenix Suns through the 2018-19 edition of the league based in North America.
Kenny Atkinson and Charles Lee were other coaches considered, as noted by Wojnarowski. Virtus Segafredo Bologna’s Italian play-caller Sergio Scariolo and Sacramento Kings Spanish assistant Jordi Fernandez were both also on the list.
Scariolo, 62, a Raptors assistant coach under Nick Nurse from 2018 to 2021, recently confirmed the process is ongoing responding to a question from La Gazzetta dello Sport about the possible return to Toronto with an upgraded role. Apart from Virtus Bologna, he currently is in charge of Spain’s senior national team as well.
Picked to replace Nurse, Rajakovic comes in after dividing his work between the NBA and G League since 2012. Introducing himself as the head coach of the Tulsa 66ers from 2012 to 2014, he then moved up to the NBA over the last nine years. Jobs stretched from an assistant coach at the Oklahoma City Thunder and Suns to most recently Memphis Grizzlies. He also served as an assistant coach for the Serbia senior national team at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
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