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Report: Raptors interviewed Spurs assistants Messina, Udoka

Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Toronto Raptors have reportedly expanded their head coaching search in the wake of firing Dwane Casey.

Toronto interviewed San Antonio Spurs assistants Ettore Messina and Ime Udoka for the job Thursday and Friday, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Both Messina and Udoka spent an entire day meeting with Raptors president Masai Ujiri and the rest of the front office, according to Wojnarowski.

Messina was widely regarded as one of the best coaches in EuroLeague before he joined the Spurs as the lead assistant to Gregg Popovich in 2014. The Italian bench boss is known as a disciplinarian and a brilliant tactician.

Udoka was a journeyman player in the NBA before transitioning into a coaching career with the Spurs. He spent the past six seasons on Popovich's staff and has graduated up the coaching ranks.

The Raptors also interviewed former Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer, but no formal offer was made and Budenholzer eventually signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Toronto met with internal candidates Nick Nurse, Rex Kalamian, and Jerry Stackhouse last week. Nurse is considered the favorite among the three, according to Wojnarowski.

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