The rumours were swirling before, and it looks like it’s done:

Can confirm the Raptors hiring of 18-year NBA vet Jerry Stackhouse as assistant coach. Expected to be made official later this week or next — Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 30, 2015

This comes on the heels of the Raptors hiring Rex Kalamian to fill the other coaching position. So, Kalamian and Stackhouse in, Tom Sterner and Bil Bayno out. That should round out the assistant coaching staff.

Stackhouse, a two-time All-Star (2000, 2001) was a UNC-product who played 18 NBA seasons and was at times a prolific scorer, though often considered iso-heavy. His best season came in 2000-01 when he averaged 29.8 points for the Pistons, in a season where he led the league in FGAs (he loved shooting). He last played in 2012-13 for the Nets and averaged 4.9 points in 37 games.

Stackhouse has ties to the GTA as he’s created an AAU club basketball team, the Stackhouse Elite. That team is coached by another former-Raptor, Jermaine Jackson.

Stackhouse is easily the most established player turned assistant coach the Raptors have had in recent years, this after flirting with Jamaal Magloire and Alvin Williams. The Raptors who don’t have much of a veteran presence in the locker room, are looking at the coaching bench to provide that, and the team could benefit from Stackhouse’s years of experience. Here’s hoping he has the young ones’ ear.

Stackhouse and myself do share a common trait, in that we’re both former vegetarians. My stint lasted a full month, as I couldn’t take the abuse from my family who ridiculed me for my life choices.

Here’s Stack at his best: