Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has been chosen to coach the World Team at this year’s All-Star event, the NBA announced.
Traditionally, All-Star coaches are selected from teams with the best records in each conference as of February 1, as long as they didn’t coach the game the previous season.
That criteria applied this year to Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, who were already named.
The NBA altered the All-Star format for 2024, replacing the single 12-on-12 game with three teams of eight players competing in shorter matchups.
Two teams will feature U.S. players, while the third will represent international stars as the World team.
Due to the new setup, a third coach was needed, allowing Rajakovic to join Bickerstaff and Johnson in Los Angeles later this month.
Toronto currently holds a 30-21 record and the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, and Rajakovic’s international background made him a logical fit to lead the World squad.
Darko Rajakovic To Coach World Team At All-Star Game https://t.co/Wrx3ST5PqO
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 3, 2026
