NBA All-Star Game Announcement
In a notable announcement made by the NBA on Tuesday, Darko Rajaković, the head coach of the Toronto Raptors, has been appointed to lead the international team during this year’s All-Star Game scheduled for February 15. This year’s event will introduce a new U.S. versus World format, intending to enhance the global perspective of the competition.
Rajaković’s Coaching Background
Rajaković, a Serbian national and the head of North America’s sole team that plays home games outside the United States, will be participating as an All-Star coach for the very first time. Under his guidance, the Raptors currently maintain a commendable season record of 30 wins and 21 losses, positioning them for what could be their most successful season since their championship run during the COVID-interrupted 2019-20 season, where they finished 53-19. So far, they have already equaled their win total from the previous year and seem poised for their first playoff appearance since 2022.
Coaching Lineup and Player Selection
The NBA is set to reveal which players will represent each team in the upcoming All-Star tournament later on Tuesday. Joining Rajaković in the coaching lineup for the new mini-tournament are J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons and Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs. Bickerstaff earned his position due to the Pistons holding the best record in the Eastern Conference, while Johnson received his role thanks to the Spurs standing as the second seed in the Western Conference by the standard cutoff date this past Sunday. It is important to note that Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault was not eligible to coach this year since he had already held the position at the previous All-Star Game.
Rajaković’s Experience in International Basketball
Rajaković brings a wealth of experience in international basketball to his All-Star role, having begun his coaching career at the mere age of 16 in Serbia. He has a diverse coaching background that spans Spain, and he served as a European consultant for the San Antonio Spurs for nearly ten years before transitioning to the U.S. in 2012. Additionally, he played a role in Serbia’s coaching staff during the 2019 Basketball World Cup.
Raptors’ Presence at the All-Star Festivities
The Raptors organization will have a prominent presence at the All-Star festivities, with player Scottie Barnes participating in the All-Star Game and Collin Murray-Boyles along with Alijah Martin set for the Rising Stars event. Notably, Rajaković also contributed to the All-Star weekend in 2014 as an assistant coach on Scott Brooks’ staff for the Oklahoma City team.
