The Raptors have found their next lead man to roam the sideline.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday that Toronto has tabbed longtime assistant coach Darko Rajakovic to be the 10th head coach in franchise history. Rajakovic has spent the past three seasons as Taylor Jenkins' top assistant with the Grizzlies.
Rajakovic is taking the reins of a franchise that is at a crucial point. The Sporting News looks at his extensive coaching background, which dates nearly 30 years.
MORE: Four biggest goals for Darko Rajakovic as Toronto's head coach
Who is Darko Rajakovic?
Darko Rajakovic is a native Serbian with almost 30 years of coaching experience. Born Feb. 22, 1979, in Cacak, Serbia, the 44-year-old Rajakovic is among the NBA's youngest coaches.
He is just the second European-born head coach in NBA history. The first was Igor Kokoskov, who coached the Suns during the 2018-19 season.
Darko Rajakovic's coaching background
According to a 2016 feature by Vice, Rajakovic began his coaching career in 1996 when, at age 16, he led the Borac Cacak youth system in Serbia.
In 1999, a 20-year-old Rajakovic was named head coach of the Crvena zvezda youth system in Belgrade, Serbia, a position he held until 2007. From 2004-11, Rajakovic served as a scouting consultant and NBA Summer League assistant coach for the Spurs.
This photo was taken back in 2008. Many things have changed since then but Coach Pop stayed the same- original, honest and caring. I’m grateful for your friendship and mentorship @NBA #basketball #Grateful pic.twitter.com/KAYUNoLgw7
— Darko Rajakovic (@DRajakovic) April 23, 2021
Rajakovic moved to Spain in 2009 as head coach of the Espacio Torreldones in the Spanish EBA League. He held the position for three years before coming stateside.
Rajakovic was named head coach of the then-NBA Developmental League's Tulsa 66ers, the affiliate of the Thunder. He compiled a 51-49 record over two seasons while coaching Reggie Jackson, Jeremy Lamb and Andre Roberson.
Prior to being hired by the Raptors, Rajakovic spent nine seasons as an NBA assistant with the Thunder (2014-19), Suns (2019-2020) and Grizzlies (2020-23).
MORE: Darko Rajakovic joins this list of Raptors head coaches
Darko Rajakovic coaching profile
As reported by Wojnarowski, "(T)he Raptors wanted a coach whom they believed could coach a contending team should the franchise stay on its current path with veterans, or a rebuilding roster should they eventually transform the roster to younger players and draft assets."
TSN's Josh Lewenberg later reported that Rajakovic is "widely regarded as one of the NBA's best in player development," which is crucial given the presence of Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes, two players who have clear futures with the franchise.
Rajakovic was the lead assistant in Memphis as the franchise quickly developed into one of the West's fiercest contenders. His coaching philosophy has likely been shaped by his work with NBA head coaches Billy Donovan, Monty Williams and Jenkins.
Darko Rajakovic coaching timeline
Rajakovic brings 27 years of coaching experience to Toronto, including more than a dozen years as a head coach.
- 1996-99: Borac Cacak (Serbia) youth head coach
- 1999-2007: Cervena zvezda (Serbia) youth head coach
- 2004-11: San Antonio Spurs scouting consultant/Summer League assistant
- 2012-14: Tulsa 66ers head coach
- 2014-19: Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach
- 2019-Present: Serbian National Team assistant coach
- 2019-20: Phoenix Suns assistant coach
- 2020-23: Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach
- 2023-present: Toronto Raptors head coach
How do you pronounce Darko Rajakovic's name?
Per the Grizzlies' 2022-23 media guide, Rajakovic is pronounced: "rye-ahk-oe-vich". You can hear Rajakovic pronounce his name at the beginning of this video from 2020.
Me uno a esta iniciativa de @BTorrelodones y @HMHOSPITALES a apoyar l@s sanitarios que están luchando contra coronavirus. Nominado por @coachnemanja. Quiero nominar @victorchuan @rickyrubio9 @sergioscariolo @alexabrines pic.twitter.com/rC0VcEUCCM
— Darko Rajakovic (@DRajakovic) March 23, 2020
