Raptors name Babcock general manager

Babcock has 17 years of NBA management experience. He spent the past 12 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including the last two as vice- president of player personnel.

One of Babcock’s first assignments will be to find a new head coach to replace Kevin O’Neill. He has already named Wayne Embry as special advisor to the general manager and Alex English as director of player development/scout.

"Rob Babcock is an individual we had targeted from the very beginning of the search process, and as we spoke with numerous officials from around the league, it became clear that he was the right man for the job," said Richard Peddie, president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. "Rob is an experienced, highly-regarded individual who has the professional abilities and personal qualities that were critical to us and to our fans. He worked his way up through the NBA ranks and is well-prepared for this situation."

Toronto posted just a 33-49 record in 2003-04 and failed to qualify for the playoffs in O’Neill’s only campaign with the team. He took over for Lenny Wilkens in June of 2003. In addition, assistants Tony Brown, Bob Beyer, Jim Sann and Ron Oliver were also relieved of their duties.