A look at the Toronto Raptors' new head coach Darko Rajakovic
Darko Rajakovic may not yet be a familiar name in Toronto, but he has a coaching pedigree that spans almost three decades from Serbia, to Spain, to North America.
Here is a look at the Raptors' new head coach:
Born: February 22, 1979.
Start in coaching:
Rajakovic began his career as a teenager in 1996 and coached two different youth teams over 11 years in his native Serbia. He then served as head coach of Espacio Torrelodones in Spain from 2009-2012. He also spent some years as a Europe-based scout for the San Antonio Spurs.
G League:
Rajakovic was hired as head coach of the NBA G League's (then known as D-League) Tulsa 66ers — the Oklahoma City Thunder's affiliate team — in 2012. He led Tulsa to a combined 51-49 record over two seasons, including a semifinals appearance in 2012-13. Tulsa was assigned seven players from Oklahoma City a total of 50 times (the most in the league during that stretch). Rajakovic had five of his players receive call-ups to the NBA, including four to the Thunder. He coached 11 Tulsa players who were on an NBA roster in the 2013-14 season.
NBA:
He was made the Thunder's assistant coach under then-coach Scott Brooks. Following Brooks's firing, Oklahoma City retained Rajakovic under Billy Donovan in 2015. In his five years with the Thunder, they made the playoffs four times, including a Western Conference final appearance in 2016 with the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Steven Adams, Victor Oladipo and more.
Rajakovic joined the Phoenix Suns as an assistant for the 2019-20 season, where the team made a splash winning all eight of its games in the bubble but just missed the post-season. He was then joined the Memphis Grizzlies as an assistant for three years, including a stint as interim head coach in 2022 when Taylor Jenkins was out for health and safety protocols.
He now becomes the second European NBA head coach after fellow Serbian Igor Kokoskov, who lasted one year with Phoenix in 2018-19.
Quotes:
"Definitely deserves it!!!" tweeted Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane.
"I love it," Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic told reporters Sunday. "He's a great guy, and I really appreciate him and he's (been) here a long, long time. Ten years from the G League coach to the head coach in the NBA. I think it's a lot of respect for him and for his work and I think he deserve it. He's seen a lot, he's been through a lot, I think he deserve it and I think he's gonna do a great job there."
"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, receive this consideration from what has been my team was very meaningful!" tweeted former Raptors assistant Sergio Scariolo.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations made against him,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
BREAKING
BREAKING Baby pronounced dead following 'suspicious incident' in Toronto's midtown area
A baby has died after a 'suspicious incident' in a midtown Toronto neighbourhood, police say.
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
EV battery manufacturer Northvolt faces major roadblocks
Swedish electric vehicle battery manufacturer Northvolt is fighting for its survival as Canadian taxpayer money and pension fund investments hang in the balance.
Canada closes embassy in Ukraine after U.S. receives information on 'potential significant air attack'
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, located in Kyiv, has temporarily suspended in-person services after U.S. officials there warned they'd received information about a 'potential significant air attack,' cautioning citizens to shelter in place if they hear an air alert.
U.S. woman denied parole 30 years after drowning 2 sons by rolling car into South Carolina lake
A parole board decided unanimously Wednesday that Susan Smith should remain in prison 30 years after she killed her sons by rolling her car into a South Carolina lake while they were strapped in their car seats.
Leon's, The Brick under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing'
Popular furniture and appliance retailers Leon's Furniture Limited and its subsidiary, The Brick Warehouse LP, are under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing.'
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Montreal tables $7.28 billion budget for 2025, property taxes increasing by 2.2 per cent
The City of Montreal tabled its $7.28 billion operating budget for 2025 that included a 2.2 per cent average increase for residential property taxes.
-
REM service to halt on the weekend between Montreal and South Shore
Service on the REM light rail line between Montreal and the South Shore will not run on the weekend.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations made against him,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
Ottawa
-
Here's where 39 photo radar cameras will be installed in Ottawa over the next 14 months
Thirty-nine new photo radar cameras will be installed to keep an eye on Ottawa roads over the next 14 months, including on roads in the rural villages of Dunrobin, Manotick, Richmond and Vars.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Abdi inquest to hear from arresting Ottawa police officers
The coroner's inquest looking at the circumstances surrounding the death of Abdirahman Abdi following an altercation with Ottawa police is expected to hear testimony from the arresting officers Wednesday.
-
Electrical fire damages Chef Ric's on Rideau St.
Chef Ric's has been forced to temporarily close after an electrical fire damaged its Rideau Street storefront.
Northern Ontario
-
Unattended cooking to blame for North Bay house fire, landlord fined
The owner at a North Bay rental home has been fined and seven people displaced after a kitchen fire Tuesday.
-
Swiftie's friendship bracelet beads confiscated at Calgary airport
A Canadian Taylor Swift fan has some 'Bad Blood' with the Calgary International Airport after security staff confiscated hundreds of dollars worth of beads she was going to use to make friendship bracelets.
-
Sudbury pharmacy tech creates a better way to label prescriptions
Avalon Lupini, who has been a pharmacy technician in Sudbury for 17 years, has come up with an innovative solution to a common problem.
Kitchener
-
Police release new image as investigation into fatal 2022 Brant County hit-and-run continues
Ontario Provincial Police are hoping an image may provide a breakthrough in a fatal hit-and-run investigation.
-
13-year-old from Kitchener and 14-year-old from London charged in violent carjacking in Brampton
Four teenagers been charged after a violent carjacking in the city of Brampton.
-
Explosives found inside RV after 14 hour standoff in Barrie, Ont. parking lot
Several homemade explosive devices were found inside an RV where an allegedly armed man had barricaded himself for 14 hours, forcing evacuations in the north end of Barrie.
London
-
Shooting incident under investigation in London
Around 2:40 a.m. on Tuesday, police said a person called 911 to report finding what they believed to be bullet holes in their home, after hearing several loud bangs.
-
Nurses' association calls out LHSC for opting out of best practice organization
The head of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario is calling out the embattled London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) for not being part of a growing industry standard.
-
Fire investigation concludes, deemed 'accidental in nature'
Around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, crews were called to a home on Gower Street near Oxford Street west.
Windsor
-
Windsor man pleads guilty to alcohol-fuelled stabbing of his partner
*WARNING: This story contains graphic content that some may find disturbing. Reader's discretion is advised.*
-
Suspect arrested in connection to murder investigation
A suspect has been arrested by the Windsor Police Service in connection to the death of Dalton Bartnik.
-
Two UWindsor students awarded A.B.L.E Scholarships
Two University of Windsor students were awarded an A.B.L.E Scholarship from the OPP, Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E) and the OPP Association.
Barrie
-
Explosives found inside RV after 14 hour standoff in Barrie, Ont. parking lot
Several homemade explosive devices were found inside an RV where an allegedly armed man had barricaded himself for 14 hours, forcing evacuations in the north end of Barrie.
-
Young 'high miler' charged with speeding 188km/h on Hwy 400
A young driver may be taking public transit for the next month after police charged him with stunt driving along Highway 400.
-
Contraband valued at over $101K seized at Gravenhurst, Ont. prison
Officials say staff at a Gravenhurst prison seized a package containing contraband, including tobacco and crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated institutional value of nearly $102,000 from a suspected drone drop.
Winnipeg
-
Trial sees texts between men accused in migrants' deaths by Manitoba-Minnesota border
The trial of two men accused of human smuggling is getting a look at messages the prosecution says prove the pair conspired to sneak people across the Canada-United States border.
-
Schools closed; buses cancelled amid snowy weather in Manitoba
A blast of winter weather has caused school closures and bus cancellations around Manitoba.
-
Essential mail pick-up and drop-off locations opening across Manitoba
The Manitoba government has opened multiple offices around the province to ensure cheques and other essential mail is still delivered.
Atlantic
-
B.C. man reunites with Nova Scotia stranger, 56 years after being saved from drowning
After driving near the water that winter day, Brian Lavery thought he saw a dog splashing in the waves – then realized it was way too cold for that.
-
Fall storm set to bring rain and wind to the Maritimes this weekend
Cloudy sky and a gusty northerly wind prevail through the end of this week in the Maritimes. A fall storm will bring a risk of heavy rain and high winds to the region this weekend.
-
Gas prices in N.B. may drop if new legislative amendments are approved
New Brunswickers may pay less for gas soon if new amendments introduced in the legislature Wednesday are approved.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland wind-to-hydrogen company eyes data centre as international market lags
A company hoping to build a multi-billion-dollar wind-to-hydrogen project in western Newfoundland is eyeing other options as Canada's plans to supply Europe with green energy have not yet materialized.
-
Seniors face unique hurdles in finding love. These Canadians want to help.
The four women sipping tea around an antique wooden table in rural Newfoundland said they weren't looking for much in a mate: kindness, humour, a good sense of fun and, ideally, a full set of teeth.
-
English soccer game did not deliver such a big bounce for N.L. after all: province
Newfoundland and Labrador's return on investment for sponsoring a professional English soccer team was not quite as rosy as previously claimed.
Edmonton
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Boissonnault out of cabinet to 'focus on clearing the allegations made against him,' Trudeau announces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced embattled minister Randy Boissonnault is out of cabinet.
-
Former PM Stephen Harper appointed to oversee Alberta's $160B AIMCo fund
Former prime minister Stephen Harper is the new chairman of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, or AIMCo, which oversees more than $160 billion in funds, including pension funds and the Heritage Savings Trust Fund.
-
Dozens of nurse practitioners now practicing primary care in rural Alberta, with more on the way: province
Since launching a plan to allow nurses to provide comprehensive primary care to rural Albertans in the spring, more than 30 nurse practitioners have started to do so in communities like Coaldale, Vegreville and Consort, the province says.
Calgary
-
Calgary gorilla died after being hit by a door: officials
The Calgary Zoo says its two-year-old western lowland gorilla named Eyare died after being hit by a hydraulic door at the rear of the exhibit.
-
Alberta meat scam investigation sees B.C. woman charged
RCMP have laid charges in an Alberta meat scam that saw victims bilked out of thousands of dollars.
-
10 things to do in Calgary this weekend (Nov. 22 – 24)
Ten things to do with family and friends.
Regina
-
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
-
Winter storm creates treacherous driving conditions in Regina and around southern Sask.
Many commuters in and outside of Regina are facing tough driving conditions Wednesday morning following a significant snowfall on Tuesday that has closed highways and snarled traffic on many of the city's main throughfares.
-
Crown wraps up its case in sexual assault trial of Regina chiropractor
The Crown has presented their case against a Regina chiropractor charged for sexual assault.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan teen still recovering in hospital after being set on fire at school
A 15-year-old girl who was set on fire at a Saskatoon high school earlier this fall is still recovering in hospital.
-
Saskatoon medical aesthetics business closes, leaving clients out thousands
Clients of a medical aesthetics business in Saskatoon are left waiting for any indication their pre-bought services will be fulfilled after the business closed permanently.
-
Sask. woman who refused to provide breath sample did not break the law, court finds
A Saskatchewan woman who refused to provide a breath sample after being stopped by police in Regina did not break the law – as the officer's request was deemed not lawful given the circumstances.
Vancouver
-
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
-
95K still without power after bomb cyclone sweeps B.C. coast
Several thousand British Columbians remain in the dark Wednesday morning after a windstorm known as a bomb cyclone slammed coastal communities.
-
B.C. man reunites with Nova Scotia stranger, 56 years after being saved from drowning
After driving near the water that winter day, Brian Lavery thought he saw a dog splashing in the waves – then realized it was way too cold for that.
Vancouver Island
-
95K still without power after bomb cyclone sweeps B.C. coast
Several thousand British Columbians remain in the dark Wednesday morning after a windstorm known as a bomb cyclone slammed coastal communities.
-
B.C. man reunites with Nova Scotia stranger, 56 years after being saved from drowning
After driving near the water that winter day, Brian Lavery thought he saw a dog splashing in the waves – then realized it was way too cold for that.
-
BC Ferries: Morning sailings on major routes cancelled due to high winds from bomb cyclone
BC Ferries has cancelled all morning sailings up until and including the 9 a.m. departures on its major routes due to high winds.
