One of the Toronto Raptors' top assistant coaches is moving on.
Sergio Scariolo is leaving his post as an assistant on Nick Nurse's staff to become the next head coach of Italian power Virtus Bologna. Scariolo took to Twitter to share a message of thanks to the Raptors franchise and the city of Toronto.
— Sergio Scariolo (@sergioscariolo) June 17, 2021
A native of Brescia, Italy, Scariolo began his time as an assistant with the Raptors when Nurse took over as head coach in 2018. This past season, he was the acting head coach while the majority of the team's coaching staff was in the league's health and safety protocols.
"Just have @sergioscariolo get his first (win) ...he's been a head coach before but he had an opportunity as an NBA coach to get a win. That’s special.”
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 27, 2021
📰 » https://t.co/52oDQ3OiDZ@olearychris | @TangerineHoops pic.twitter.com/9qKF5KBe38
Scariolo, 60, also serves as the head coach of the Spanish Senior Men's National Team, which he led to Gold at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and will look to medal once again in the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Virtus Bologna's hiring of Scariolo marks the third occasion in the past calendar year in which a Raptors assistant has left to take a head coaching job. Last offseason, Nate Bjorkgren was tabbed as the Indiana Pacers head coach, while in a nearly unprecedented midseason move, Chris Finch was hired to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves this past February.
As currently constructed, Toronto's assistant staff consists of Adrian Griffin, Jim Sann, Jon Goodwillie and Jama Mahlalela.
Stick with NBA.com for more updates surrounding the team's coaching staff.
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