Who’s in line to lead the 905?

On June 9th, ESPN reported that Raptors 905 Head Coach Jerry Stackhouse would be leaving Mississauga to join the Memphis Grizzlies as an assistant coach. Regardless of title, this was certainly a promotion as Stack now gets to take his experience to the sideline of the NBA once again, just one row forward.

For the Toronto Raptors and Raptors 905 the question is, who will lead the Raptors’ successful developmental program for the future? We’re here to look at a couple candidates we think might be in the running.

Patrick Mutombo

Patrick Mutombo has spent time with the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach since 2016. After a playing career across the globe, including Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A, the Congolese international joined the Denver Nuggets in 2012 as an assistant. After a short stint with the Austin Spurs in 2015 as an assistant, Ujiri found reunited with Mutombo from his time with the Nuggets and signed him with the Raptors.

Mutombo’s calling card as a coach has always been player development and opponent game-planning. An alumni of the Austin Spurs along with NBA Head Coaches Earl Watson and Quin Snyder, Mutombo certainly has the basketball mind necessary for the 905 programs mandate to build players.

Jama Mahlalela

Swazi-Canadian Assistant Coach Jama Mahlalela may have the best name of all NBA coaches, but he’s also a Toronto-based, former CIS star that is one of many that have shown Canadian scholastic sporting minds are nothing to scoff at. The former UBC Thunderbird was a Canada West champion and spent four years as an assistant for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues before joining the Toronto Raptors as an assistant in 2013.

Mahlalela is another Raptors assistant whose calling card is player development and scouting. Known for sleepless nights game planning for Toronto Raptors matches, his voice in regards to team system and player evaluation is next to none. Mahlalela was considered for the 905 Head Coaching position previously when former coach Jesse Mermuys left for Luke Walton’s staff on the Los Angeles Lakers, before the role was eventually given to Jerry Stackhouse.

Jamaal Magloire

Currently a Basketball Development Consultant and Community Ambassador for the Toronto Raptors, the Big Cat is famously seen on the sideline behind Dwane Casey calling out positions and rotations for the Raptors bigs. Eastern Commerce Alum, NCAA Champion with Kentucky, and NBA All-Star, Magloire sports the most impressive playing resume of the lot. After retiring in his hometown of Toronto, he joined the Raptors as an assistant from 13-16 before taking up his current role.

While his name doesn’t hold the same weight as Stackhouse, Magloire provides a name and alma mater that holds incredible value among the fringe NBA prospects that the G-League looks to attract. Magloire’s coaching chops haven’t been tested greatly, but should his player-like leadership have the same affect as Stackhouse’s don’t be surprised to see the Raptors big man coach given a chance in Mississauga.