Raptors HC Rumors: Ettore Messina, Ime Udoka Interview for Open Job
The Toronto Raptors reportedly expanded their head-coaching search this week.
According to ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Raptors interviewed San Antonio Spurs assistants Ettore Messina and Ime Udoka on Thursday and Friday, respectively, as they continue to search for Dwane Casey's replacement.
Toronto has interviewed a host of candidates since firing Casey, including new Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, assistant coaches Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse and Raptors 905 head coach Jerry Stackhouse.
Messina and Udoka have both made the interview rounds throughout the offseason, but neither has landed a head-coaching gig like former Spurs assistant James Borrego did with the Charlotte Hornets.
Messina, 58, has been on Gregg Popovich's staff since the start of the 2014-15 season and has been endorsed for a promotion by several Spurs players.
"I think the time has come," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said in April, per the San Antonio Express-News' Tom Orsborn. "For sure, he's very capable and experienced."
Pau Gasol also had serious praise for the Italian.
"Messina has been one of the top head coaches in Europe," he said. "It's hard to get that opportunity in the NBA, but if there's someone who should get it, it should be him."
Udoka, a former Spurs swingman, has been on San Antonio's bench since 2012.
