The Toronto Raptors have interviewed Lithuanian coach Sarunas Jasikevicius for the club’s vacant head coaching position, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Jasikevicius, 42, has been head coach of the Lithuanian Basketball League’s Zalgiris Kaunas since January 2016, compiling a 38-40 record, including 22-14 this past season. He also played two seasons (2005-06, 06-07) in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors.
Born in Lithuania, Jasikevicius attended high school in Pennsylvania before heading to the University of Maryland. Undrafted out of college, he built a strong career as an international star before signing as a free agent with Indiana in 2005.
The former point guard’s career accolades include a bronze medal win for Lithuania at the 2000 Olympics and he was twice named All-Europe Player of the Year. Jasikevicius also helped Lithuania capture gold by winning MVP honours at EuroBasket 2003.
The Raptors parted with former head coach Dwane Casey just days after the club was swept out of the second round of the NBA playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Casey led Toronto to a franchise-best 59 regular-season wins, but has failed to guide the Raptors past Cleveland in each of the past three post-seasons.
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