The Raptors continue to make moves in their coaching staff this offseason, and the latest addition comes in the form of Serbian coach Ivo Simovic. According to Pete Thamel’s report, the Raptors are bringing in Simovic, who previously served as an assistant coach for the UCLA Bruins, to join Darko Rajakovic on the coaching staff.
Simovic has an extensive coaching background, starting his career in 2001 with the Crvena Zvezda youth system in Belgrade. During his time there, the team achieved success, winning the National Championship in 2004 and finishing as runners-up in his final season in 2007.
In the NBA, Simovic had the opportunity to work as an assistant coach with the Spurs during the 2013 and 2014 NBA Summer League seasons. He was rewarded with an NBA Championship ring when the Spurs claimed the title in 2014.
Simovic then transitioned to the NCAA, joining the coaching staff of the Hartford Hawks as an assistant coach in 2015. He later became the associate head coach in November 2016. Simovic’s coaching journey continued with stints at the Charlotte 49ers and, most recently, the UCLA Bruins under head coach Mick Cronin.
