Raps’ bench boss makes a practice a coaching clinic for 400

Darko Rajakovic remembers what it’s like to be an eager young basketball coach, trying to absorb as much as possible from more experienced teachers.

Now that he’s the head coach of the Toronto Raptors, he’s happy to impart as much as he can to the next generation of young coaches.

The NBA team held an open practice Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena, with approximately 400 Toronto-area basketball coaches from all levels of the game sitting in the stands, watching how Rajakovic runs his training sessions.

“Back in the day, I was one of those coaches. I was sitting in the stands and listening to the clinics and trying to steal any knowledge I could and learn,” Rajakovic said. “For me, it’s a path that I went through so I can really respect them showing up on a Tuesday morning in a cold arena (to) ask questions and be eager to find out new information. I take it very, very seriously. Anything that I can do to help any of those coaches and the basketball program in Canada, I’m here.”

The Buffalo Bills added pass-rushing depth by signing free agent defensive end Casey Toohill to a one-year contract. The 27-year-old Toohill joins Buffalo after spending the past three-plus NFL seasons with Washington, where last season he had a career-best five sacks in 16 games.

Toronto FC’S injury concerns have grown with news that Canadian international fullback Richie Laryea will be out for three months after hamstring surgery.

Laryea, 29, who returned to TFC in February in a transfer from England’s Nottingham Forest, has played once this season. He played 70 minutes in a season-opening draw at FC Cincinnati.

Toronto was also without Sean Johnson, Jonathan Osorio, Brandon Servania, Nicksoen Gomis and Raoul Petretta for Saturday’s 2-1 loss at New York City FC.