Raptors add P.J. Carlesimo to coaching staff

The Toronto Raptors are adding P.J. Carlesimo to their coaching staff.

Carlesimo, who was most recently the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be an assistant to Jay Triano, a team source confirmed Monday.

Carlesimo, 61, was fired by Oklahoma City on Nov. 22, 2008 after the Thunder's 1-12 start to the season. He led the Portland Trailblazers to the first round of the playoffs in 1995 to '97, and then coached Golden State from '97 to 2000 - the Warriors failed to make the playoffs all three seasons.

Carlesimo made headlines in '97 when he was choked by Latrell Sprewell during a practice. Sprewell received a 68-game suspension.

Carlesimo joins assistants Alex English, Marc Iavaroni, Micah Nori, Eric Hughes and Alvin Williams.