Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic and his wife Gaga have donated $46,700 USD to children's hospitals, the team said in a release Thursday.
The Rajakovic family made a commitment to donate $20 USD for every assist the Raptors made during 2023-24. The Raptors set a franchise single-season record of 2,335 assists, surpassing the previous mark of 2,085 set during their championship-winning 2018-19 season.
Toronto's average of 28.5 assists per game was tied for fifth in the league.
Their donation will go to Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and the University Children's Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia.
"Gaga and I are thrilled to fulfill our goal of giving back to the communities that have given so much to us," Darko Rajokovic said in the release. "The conversations we were priviledged to have at each hospital were humbling and we continue to be inspired by the spirit and determination of the families impacted. Thank you to the incredible hospitals for their investments in improving children's lives and we look forward to supporting and staying connected beyond today."
Rajakovic was hired as the Raptors' head coach on June 13, 2023, after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies. He has also served as an assistant coach for the Serbian men's national basketball team.
Toronto missed the playoffs during his first season on the bench, posting a 25-57 record and finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference.
