Chris Finch, Jama Mahlalela join Nick Nurse’s Toronto Raptors staff as assistants

TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors have hired former New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach Chris Finch and ex-Raptors 905 head coach Jama Mahlalela as assistant coaches for Nick Nurse’s staff.

Raptors assistant coach Patrick Mutumbo will take over as coach of Raptors 905, a G League team.

Raptors assistants Brittni Donaldson and John Bennett also will join the Raptors 905 staff.

Finch spent the past three years in New Orleans. Previously, he was an assistant coach with Denver (2016-17) and Houston (2011-16).

Prior to his time in the NBA, Finch guided Rio Grande to two consecutive appearances in the G League final, including a championship in 2010.

Finch also was head coach of the British men’s national team at the 2012 Olympics, with Nurse serving as one of his assistants.

Mahlalela was an assistant coach with the Raptors for five seasons (2014-18) prior to becoming head coach for Raptors 905 the past two year.

A native of Swaziland, Mahlalela grew up in the Greater Toronto Area.

The Raptors open training camp this weekend in Tampa, Fla.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2020.