By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic discussed several topics during an appearance on the Aca Stojanovic ALESTO podcast, posted on Thursday, detailing a career focused on long-term growth over outcomes.
From coaching youth in Serbia, where the Cacak native left Crvena Zvezda over unpaid salaries, to surviving on a McDonald’s dollar menu, Rajakovic has always prioritized progress. He even spent years without a team and coached in Spain’s fifth tier, enduring hardships that shaped a leadership style built on resilience.
In the locker room, this human-centric perspective helps him forge bonds with his players. He famously regards cornerstone Scottie Barnes as his personal Michael Jordan, since Barnes embraces grueling, unselfish full-court pressure. Rajakovic holds an equally profound reverence for the generational talent emerging from his home country. “I think Nikola Jokic is the best Serbian player of all time. I think he is one of the best players in the history of sports,” he stated regarding the sport’s ultimate elite tier.
Beyond managing individuals, he remains highly attentive to the shifting structural landscape of the international game. Viewing the modern boom with excitement and sharing a precise vision, the Serbian expert addressed how overseas frameworks must evolve to maximize cultural and commercial footprint.
“I think that in Europe, the best thing about the EuroLeague is the fans. EuroLeague has fantastic fans, fantastic support, fantastic love, and commitment of the fans to their teams. However, organizationally, the EuroLeague must be better, and I think the best thing that can happen for European basketball would be to reach some kind of agreement with the NBA, and when NBA Europe comes here, for them to work together, NBA Europe and the EuroLeague,” he mentioned.
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google