Sergio Scariolo is one of the many candidates the Toronto Raptors are scouting to replace Nick Nurse on the bench of the Canadian franchise. The Virtus Bologna coach and Spanish coach confirmed this friday. “They asked me and I informed my team of this possible meeting. The Raptors asked Virtus for permission. They arrived on Thursday afternoon and left on Friday. It was a good meeting, almost like between friends because I won a title there with them (the 2019 NBA with Marc Gasol and Ibaka). I think we have done things well and with transparency, ”he said in statements collected by Alessandro Luigi Maggi (sporting).
Apart from the Raptors, who are going to meet with many other coaches (Jordi Fernández, JJ Redick, Becky Hammon, Kenny Atkinson…) there was talk of a possible interest from Real Madrid, in the event that Chus Mateo did not continue the next season. But the man from Brescia rules out for now his return to the white team, which he directed for three seasons (1999-2002) and with which he won the Palau League in 2000. “I’m not saying anything because there’s nothing to say” he adds.
Anyway, in Virtus are counting on Scariolo to continue leading the team next season. “Sergio has another year on his contract and I think he is leading the team seriously on a competent path,” Luca Baraldi, Virtus’ sports director, commented a couple of weeks ago. Il Corriere dello Sport.
Bologna was his destination in 2021 after leaving Toronto, where he was assistant to Nick Nurse between 2018 and 2021. The coach, who already He has been with the National Team for thirteen years in two different stages (from 2009 to 2012 and from 2015 to the present), managed to play the Euroleague this season after winning the Eurocup last but, unless the Italian club gets an invitation from the Euroleague, Virtus will play the Eurocup next year. This season he finished 14th with a record of 14 wins and 20 losses.