Sergio Scariolo will not be the next coach of the Toronto Raptors: The Canadians in the past few hours have chosen. Darko Rajakovic, another of the finalists. The Serbian, 44, has only been an assistant in the NBA so far: first with the Thunder from 2014 to 2019, then a year in Phoenix and the last three seasons in Memphis.
Rajakovic, who at the youth level coached Red Star before moving to the States, goes to fill the last void among NBA benches.
ESPN Sources: The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a deal to hire Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic as the franchise’s next coach. pic.twitter.com/AEPu64p2F2
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2023
Scariolo sportingly complimented his colleague, saying he was happy for the opportunity given to a European coach like him, something not taken for granted in the NBA. The coach from Brescia, who is playing for the Scudetto these days with Virtus Bologna, has another year on his contract with the Bianconeri. In recent months he had also been hinted at a return to Real Madrid, but with La Liga still in play and the EuroLega won, it is not certain that the Blancos will exonerate Chus Mateo at the end of the season.
Congrats and good luck to my good friend coach. @DRajakovic! Good choice, it’s great to see a European coach having an opportunity to prove his value as an NBA HC ! A heartfelt thank you to the Raptors, receiving this consideration from what has been my team was very meaningful !
– Sergio Scariolo (@sergioscariolo) June 10, 2023
Milan, Italy. A graduate in Labor Management and Communication for Organizations from Catholic University, I founded BasketUniverso in 2011. Yes, I root for Orlando Magic and do my best not to hide it.
